FOGTEC Rail Systems and Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of safety-critical products and services for rail vehicles. Knorr-Bremse is the world’s leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, and FOGTEC Rail Systems is the global market leader in developing and selling fire protection systems for rail vehicles.

Both companies are recognized globally for supplying system solutions that make rail transportation safer. Signing of this cooperation agreement will enable FOGTEC and Knorr-Bremse to bundle their competences. “By drawing on each other’s existing strengths and using potential future synergies we will be able to generate significant value-added for our customers. We are convinced that by working together we will be able to offer them even better solutions than before,” is how Roger Dirksmeier, General Manager of FOGTEC Rail Systems sums up this intensive collaboration between the two companies. Both complement each other perfectly – after all, safety is a core issue at both FOGTEC and Knorr-Bremse.

“In future, FOGTEC will be able to make use of Knorr-Bremse’s well-established global sales and service network. And at the same time, with FOGTEC fire protection systems we are adding a highly relevant safety product to our own portfolio,” commented Rolf Härdi, Member of the Board of Directors, Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH.

In a first step the agreement envisages close collaboration between the two companies over the joint provision of services, but FOGTEC and Knorr-Bremse will also be working together on new projects if such collaboration generates advantages for customers. One of the first joint projects will involve supplying fire detection and extinguishing systems and providing local installation for vehicles belonging to a Brazilian operator; another involves Knorr-Bremse Asia Pacific taking over commissioning services on behalf of FOGTEC in the Japanese market. “In order to be able to offer the customer a comprehensive package of 2/3 Knorr-Bremse Group safety solutions from a single source we are integrating final assembly of FOGTEC fire protection systems directly into Knorr-Bremse’s production facility in Brazil. This will enable specialists from both areas to work closely together and benefit from a direct exchange of expertise,” explains Rolf Härdi.