“This robot covers the production of two factories. Once production capacity increases, we will resume discussions with several international companies who want to collaborate with us,” Blidar said.
The company is to deliver parts for 200 train cars to an Iranian company, as part of a three-year contract. “We are also collaborating with other companies, from Germany and Poland. There is high demand for rolling stock materials in Europe,” Blidar added.
In the first quarter of this year, the company posted some €12 million in turnover, similar to Q1 2007, due to higher costs. By the end of 2008, the company expects a 10 percent annual increase, up to €60 million.
Astra Vagoane Calatori’s main competitors are Remar Pascani, Remar 16 Februarie Cluj, and Ateliere Grivita. “This is a market which is beginning to grow, because [the national railroad company] CFR Calatori is receiving funds from the state and the European Union to modernize its rolling stock material assets. By 2010, the market is likely to grow by up to 10 percent, and later to exceed this percentage,” according to the General Secretary of the Railroad Industry Association (AIF), Stefan Roseanu, for Business Standard.
