GB
William Cook Rail has won major industry recognition for its safety critical work in the rail sector.
The Company has received certification from the Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme (RISAS), which ensures key suppliers can become recognised as best-in-class at delivering the most challenging and high-risk products and services for rolling stock.
Read MoreRISAS provides economies of scale for the rail industry by reducing duplication in the auditing and assessment of suppliers.
William Cook Rail designs, manufactures and overhauls safety-critical components and systems for rolling stock builders and operators all over the world. Customers include Alstom, Bombardier and Siemens and products are on trains in many countries, among them France, Germany, Canada, India, Australia and the United States.
The Company continues to invest in its £15m Leeds rail plant as part of a strategic investment programme to move into high-value markets. The facility specialises in the design, manufacture, overhaul and upgrade of bogies, running gear and coupler systems.
For RISAS, William Cook Rail underwent a challenging assessment by an accredited Railway Industry Supplier Approval Body (RISAB). The assessment involved on-site interviews and evaluations to get proof that could meet the standards expected.
Its new certification covers running gear, couplers, intercar connections and axleboxes.
William Cook’s details are now held on the RISAS website which contains a searchable database of certified companies and details the products and services they cover.
A spokesman for the Rail Industry Supplier Approval Body, SGS, Barry Cullinane, said: “We would like to congratulate William Cook on achieving this important recognition. A RISAS certificate is evidence that expert examiners have carried out an independent, robust, rigorous and transparent assessment on site. It demonstrates that suppliers of safety critical products have the appropriate systems, processes, competence, resources, facilities and procedures.”
The RISAS scheme is managed by rail industry body RSSB, which helps companies work together to develop a better, safer railway. Damon Snell, head of supplier assurance at RSSB, said: “With 20,000 passenger services running every weekday, and 75 million tonnes of freight lifted very year, the country relies on safe, high-performing infrastructure and rolling stock. This certificate means that buyers can have full confidence in William Cook when procuring relevant critical products and services in this field.”
Mr William Cook, group commercial director, said: “We are delighted to have achieved certification from the Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme.
“We continue to invest in our plants and people to deliver products and services to help create better, safer railway systems for passengers and freight customers across the world.”
About the Rail Industry Supplier Approval Body, SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. The SGS UK Rail operation based in the West Midlands, provides Notified and Designated Body design verification services. As a RISAB, we provide services that support the RSSB, within the UK and the IRIS scheme that has international recognition within the Rail Industry. SGS also supports, OEMs, Train Operators, Rail Leasing companies, overhaul / maintenance providers and component manufacturers with inspection and audit services that offer supply chain and supplier assurance.
About RSSB:
RSSB provides research, analysis, and insight to help the industry work together to deliver a better, safer railway. As a membership-based rail industry body, RSSB includes train and freight operating companies, infrastructure managers, contractors, rolling stock leasing companies and suppliers, and our work involves partnerships with academia and other railways across the world.
RSSB manages the scheme on behalf of the rail industry providing its profile and governance.