Wabtec Rail Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of Keelex 351 Limited, which includes LH Group Holdings Limited, LH Group Services Limited, LH Group Wheelsets Limited, J & D Gears Limited, Coleman UK Group Limited, Coleman Hydraulics Limited, LH Plant (Burton) Limited, LH Access Technology Limited, Envirotech Research Limited, TP (Powder Coating) Limited, Coleman Manufacturing Limited, Hunslet Engine Company Limited and Parts Supply Limited.
The LH Group companies will now become part of Wabtec Rail Group which includes Wabtec Rail Limited, Wabtec Rail Scotland and Brush Traction.
Based at Barton under Needwood in Staffordshire LH Group is a leading supplier of Diesel Multiple Unit passenger rail products and services. The company undertakes the overhaul of rail vehicles, engines and transmission systems. The group offers a gear cutting and machining facility which provides component manufacture, all types of gears, spiral bevels, casting, machining and reverse engineering, as well as a general fabrication facility offering a broad range of engineering capabilities.
Hunslet Engine Company is renowned throughout the world as a designer and manufacturer of quality industrial shunting, tunnelling and specialised locomotives. New locomotive manufacture forms only part of the services provided by Hunslet. Many operators find the cost of new equipment is prohibitive, and that it is more cost effective to refurbish existing vehicles and equipment.
The acquisition of LH Group is complimentary to Wabtec Rail Group’s activities as one of the UK’s leading rail vehicle engineering companies. Through the Wabtec Rail Limited works at Doncaster, the Brush Traction facilities at Loughborough and Wabtec Rail Scotland’s works at Kilmarnock in Scotland the Group undertakes the refurbishment and maintenance of railway rolling stock, locomotives, passenger trains and freight wagons. In addition the Group also undertakes the overhaul of components such as wheels, bogies, braking systems, air conditioning modules, door systems, traction motors and electrical systems. These services are further supported through the range of electrical components available through Mors Smitt, following its recent acquisition by Wabtec Corporation. As such the combined resources of both Wabtec Rail Group and LH Group will result in an ability to provide an all-encompassing range of services to the UK rail industry.
We will advise further on any changes to the LH Group organisation that will be introduced as part of its integration into the Wabtec Rail Group of companies. Until advised otherwise your points of contact within each company will remain unchanged.
Yours sincerely
C J Weatherall Managing Director
