Bombardier Transportation: Not Just Competition But Also Partnership

21.09.2007 (19:24)

The conversation with Nikolay Sannikov, Head of Railway Transport Projects of Russian representation office of Bombardier Transportation took place in the framework of the interview-studio “Open conversation” which was organized by the business magazine “RZD-Partner”. He told about the company’s experience in the field of joint ventures which are established in Russia and other countries.

- Mr. Sannikov, as is well known, Bombardier Transportation has a wide experience of joint ventures establishment in railway machine-building sector…

- Our company is one of the leaders in the field of railway building and we have serious experience of the joint ventures establishment in many countries. For 10 years Bombardier Transportation has been working successfully in the Russian railway machine-building market. We have a joint venture on manufacture of railway automatics and telemechanics with the Russian railways which was established in 1996 on the basis of Losinoostrovsky electrotechnical plant. This joint venture provides the most successful projects of signaling arrangement for railway transport. 5% of railway network is equipped by this production.

In May 2007, the joint venture of the concern and Transmashholding CJSC was established during II forum «Strategic Partnership 1520 " which was held in Sochi. We consider that this project is very important for the Russian railway machine-building because this cooperation will allow to implement the advanced technologies. Within the limits of this joint venture we open an engineering center in Moscow to design modern rail components and equipment.

- What are the basic competitive advantages of Bombardier Transportation?

- I wouldn’t like to speak about a competition in habitual sense of this word. Modern hi-tech manufacture is based on other principles. There is no European hi-tech railway project which was carried out by one company. Bombardier Transportation and other big companies (Alstom, Siemens) participate in a lot of joint projects. And the company is not only a competitor, but also a partner.

- What are the problems concerning certification of new production in Russia?

- Bombardier Transportation is the first western manufacturer who completely certificated computer programs of control systems for locomotives in certified bodies of the Russian Federation. There have been no problems during this work.

- Does the company plan to expand its presence in Russia?

- Sure, we plan develop this sector. We want to be the successful company and we understand that it will be possible if we become partners of the Russian industry. This is the key difference of our company’s policy in the international market from ideology of our competitors.

According to this position we offer the advanced decisions on condition that they will be situated on the Russian territory. For today we have offered a lot of proposals to OAO RZD and our partner – Transmashholding JSC. These proposals concern various kinds of a rolling stock, which can be produced on the Russian territory and the enterprises of Transmashholding JSC.

- Question of development of high-speed movement in the RF is urgent now. Bombardier can take part in realization of the project of a high-speed railway between St.-Petersburg and Moscow. - Our concern took part in all projects of high-speed lines in Europe. We took part in the TGV project which is carried out by Alstom. We are important partner in development of all generations of trains IC - 1, 2 and 3. Now Bombardier Transportation offers its own product which was presented at an exhibition in Milan two years ago. It is high-speed train Zefiro. OAO RZD can interest in this project. Bombardier participated in construction of 95 % of the high-speed trains constructed for European railways. Zefiro has a great potential.

- Could you advise the way to realization of the Russian high-speed movement project? Should Russia use existing models or develop new one?

- Creation of hi-tech model is the laborious process. It is very important to prepare the product for its operation. It is very difficult to forecast all problems which can emerge during its exploitation. I think, that it is more preferable to choose approved basic model.

- What are your impressions of salon and conference?

-It’s very good. Salon EXPO 1520 should become regular. We will be pleased to take part in it.

by Ekaterina Glazunova