Harsco lands another big Swiss contract

Harsco Corp. said Tuesday, July 1, 2014 it has secured second major railway track and infrastructure maintenance equipment award from Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).

The award, valued at more than $100 million, calls for 59 high-speed catenary vehicles that will be used for the construction, maintenance, and repair of overhead catenary systems throughout Switzerland. Deliveries will begin in 2016 and continue through 2017, Harsco said.

The award comes as a follow-on option to Harsco’s previously awarded $100 million-plus contract for specialty utility vehicles that will be used to support rail operations in the new Gotthard and Ceneri Base Tunnels, part of the historic Swiss AlpTransit project to increase rail capacity across the region. With its option award, SBB will be able to realize numerous synergies in the areas of technology, project management, training, spare parts stocks, and maintenance.

“We are delighted to receive this second, significant award from the Swiss railway,” said Harsco Interim CEO David Everitt. “Together, these two contracts establish a solid foundation to a growing Harsco Rail presence in Europe, with vehicles designed and built to European specifications and standards and utilizing a strong network of established European supply partners.”

“This second order underpins our division’s large project pipeline and strengthens the partnerships we are developing as a local European railway supplier,” said Harsco Rail President Scott Jacoby. “By exercising their option for additional orders, SBB is supporting our tailored business strategy to provide best-in-class solutions, making us a valuable partner for customers throughout the continent and across the globe.”