Knorr-Bremse opens Railway Plant in Brazil

Germany-based braking system manufacturer Knorr-Bremse has opened a new €40m development and manufacturing plant in Itupeva, São Paulo, Brazil.

The new facility will replace the existing plant in the Santo Amaro district of São Paulo, and offer a 30% larger workign area.
According to Knorr-Bremse, production line efficiency and the materials supply process have been improved, while manufacturing and assembly have been modified to reduce throughput times.
The new facility has been designed and built to reduce energy and resource requirements, as well as cut operating costs.
Knorr-Bremse owner and Supervisory Board chairman Heinz Hermann Thiele said: “This factory is part of a far-reaching investment programme being carried out by the Knorr-Bremse Group with the aim of modernising its global development and production network.”
The new plant will manufacture brake control systems, bogie equipment and on-board systems for the rail market.
As part of its aim to expand capacity and meet growing global markets, Knorr-Bremse is investing over €250m in production plants and buildings up to 2014.
Knorr-Bremse started Brazilian operations in 1977, supplying rail vehicle braking systems to Rio de Janeiro’s suburban Pré-Metrô system.