Skip to main content

Ricardo to acquire international rail business

International engineering and technology company Ricardo has announced an agreement to acquire the business, operating assets and employees engaged in the businesses of LR Rail, from Lloyd's Register Group. The acquisition will be materially complete on or before 1 July 2015 and the business will operate as the core of a new international rail business within Ricardo and combined with Ricardo's existing rail industry expertise, to be branded Ricardo Rail. Current LR Rail managing director Paul Seller wi
April 20, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
RSSInternational engineering and technology company 5606 Ricardo has announced an agreement to acquire the business, operating assets and employees engaged in the businesses of LR Rail, from Lloyd's Register Group.

The acquisition will be materially complete on or before 1 July 2015 and the business will operate as the core of a new international rail business within Ricardo and combined with Ricardo's existing rail industry expertise, to be branded Ricardo Rail. Current LR Rail managing director Paul Seller will take on the role of managing director of the Ricardo Rail business.

According to Ricardo, the acquisition is central to the delivery of growth in transportation and security, one of the company's three strategic pillars alongside energy and scarce resources and waste. The acquisition of LR Rail and the future growth of this business is driven by the increasing global interest in urban and high speed networks and the integration of critical and complex rail technologies as governments respond to accelerating levels of urbanisation. Ricardo therefore sees a strong and increasing demand for technical consulting and assurance services in the rail sector.

L R Rail is a highly successful rail consultancy and assurance business and is a trusted partner to a wide range of international clients. The company recorded, on a standalone basis, revenues of US$72 million in 2014 and has a staff of 440 rail engineers and specialists located at offices across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. LR Rail uses its understanding of critical and complex technologies and its independent expert advice to provide services ranging from rolling stock design, signalling and train control, intelligent rail systems, operational efficiency improvement, training and independent assurance services.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Seamless transport - the need for connectivity and sustainability
    February 6, 2012
    At the beginning of August, 2011, Carole Coune took up her new role as Secretary General of the International Transport Forum at the OECD. Here, she tells ITS International of the challenges and opportunities the global sector faces
  • IBTTA congratulates Anthony Foxx on his confirmation as DOT Secretary
    June 28, 2013
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) congratulated Anthony Foxx after the US Senate voted to confirm him as the next Secretary of the US Department of Transportation. Patrick D Jones, executive director and CEO of the worldwide association representing toll facility owners and operators and the businesses that serve them, said: “IBTTA congratulates Secretary Foxx on his confirmation today as the next US Secretary of Transportation. Secretary Foxx’s leadership comes at a time whe
  • Vitronic and Vetro ink strategic partnership
    March 26, 2014
    Speed and red light enforcement system provider Vitronic has entered into a strategic partnership with Vetro, a service-provider for traffic enforcement, it was announced at Intertraffic. The partnership will enable customers to buy Vitronic PoliScan systems bundled with Vetro services.
  • Siemens to build streetcars for Atlanta
    April 25, 2012
    Siemens Industry has been awarded a US$17.2 million contract from Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), on behalf of the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, to provide Atlanta with four new streetcars. The first car is expected to be delivered in September 2012 with revenue service beginning in early 2013. These will be the first streetcars in Atlanta since 1949 and will mark Siemens entry into the streetcar market in the United States.