Unipart Rail set to ‘revolutionise’ Africa’s rail supply chain


14 June 2018

Unipart Rail, one of Unipart Group’s key subsidiaries and a supplier of products and services to the global rail industry, has signed a partnership agreement  with Gear Rail, leaders in rail safety and control solutions in Africa.

The partnership cements a relationship with has been built over the last four years. and brings together Gear Rail’s reach across the African Continent and Unipart Rail’s expertise in modernising supply chains.

It will focus on delivering cost improvements, reducing risk and increasing performance wherever materials are moved to support the maintenance and development of railways in Africa.

The two businesses will work on an exclusive schedule of products and services for the African market, with a particular emphasis on supply chain
solutions and the digital conditional-based supply chain of the future. Unipart Rail’s ‘SmartServe’, a unique suite of services that provide the resources to plan, supply and manage the materials and tooling requirements including delivery to the point of use, is an example of one such digital innovation.

Tony Sackett, Managing Director – Africa, Asia Pacific & Middle East for Unipart Rail, said “Wherever Traction & Rolling Stock or Infrastructure are introduced, maintained or improved, the solutions this partnership will deliver will lead to significant value improvements for our customers.”

Roelf Alberts, CEO for Gear Rail, said “We have built our relationship over a significant period, learning from each other and bringing new products and services to Africa. We are very excited at this new Partnership development”.

The Partnership was signed during Africa Rail in Johannesburg on 13 June.