Engineering firm BWB Consulting bought by Spanish giant CAF

2722
A CAF tram on Edinburgh's tram system. Credit: Ad Meskens/Wikimedia.
A CAF tram on Edinburgh's tram system. Credit: Ad Meskens/Wikimedia.
Listen to this article

Engineering consultancy BWB has been bought by Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF.

Reflecting on its humble beginnings in Nottingham more than 25 years ago, BWB CEO Steve Wooler said the takeover was the “most exciting moment” in the business’ history as the backing allows BWB to exploit new opportunities.

BWB will remain a standalone business positioned alongside CAF Group’s engineering subsidiary, CAF TE. It is expected to play a key role in CAF’s global expansion into English-speaking markets.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed but CAF will acquire the company in a phased acquisition over the next three years.

BWB Group CEO Steve Wooler said: “Having grown the business significantly, the challenge for us was how best to secure the resources necessary to properly exploit the opportunities that our track record of delivery has opened up.

“We believe there is a once in a lifetime opportunity for BWB, over the next decade or so, to play a leading role in digital engineering, smart cities, and colossal investment in infrastructure, not just here in the UK but across the world. Becoming part of a hugely respected business like CAF not only unlocks the door to that opportunity, it materially extends BWB’s horizons.”

CAF Group’s chief officer for subsidiaries and corporate development Josu Imaz said: “We have ambitious plans to diversify our business, to extend our turnkey engineering activities, and we see BWB playing an important role in that strategy.

“We are already committed to substantial investment in the UK through CAF Rail UK. With BWB, we will put the resources in place that will enable them to pursue both their own strategy and to work together with CAF to explore new markets and new opportunities.”

BWB Consulting has more than 300 members of staff based across seven offices. It has an annual turnover of £23 million.


Read more: State approval for Moscow-Kazan high-speed line designs


 

 

Previous articleTesting of RRX prototype train set to begin
Next articleArriva secures €1.6bn contract to operate Northern lines in the Netherlands