Kineco acquires UK rail componentsfirm, its second int’l deal in 10 months

Panaji: The Goa-based Kineco Group has acquired TRB Lightweight Structures(TRBLS) — a UK supplier of lightweight components to rail majors, including Hitachi and the London Underground — for an undisclosed price.The acquisition will be housed under Kineco Global Rail, the group’s rail interiors business. This is the company’s second international deal after the purchase of Danish railway sanitation systems firm Semvac AS in Dec.“The acquisition of TRB Lightweight Structures is aligned specifically to the long-term strategic roadmap of our rail-focused brand—Kineco Global Rail. TRB’s legacy and deep expertise in lightweight rail interiors make it a perfect strategic fit.

Importantly, both TRB and Semvac combined will now be able to ride on the back of Kineco Global Rail’s large engineering and manufacturing infrastructure in Goa, which is entirely dedicated to the rail interiors market,” said Kineco Group MD and chairman, Shekhar Sardessai.TRB, based in Huntingdon, UK, has over 70 years of experience in manufacturing lightweight components for rolling stock manufacturers in Europe and Asia.

Under the agreement, the company will continue to operate under its brand name and maintain its UK manufacturing base.Its MD, Paul Colquitt, said the partnership would allow the firm to sharpen its focus on the rail sector while retaining its identity and operations in the UK.Kineco said the acquisition supports its plan to consolidate niche rail interior brands under one umbrella, as it positions itself to scale in global markets.