16 October 2013
Bombardier at Ilford gets RISAS certification
Bombardier’s heavy maintenance depot at Ilford secured RISAS certification
earlier this year, proving its first class capabilities to train owners and
operators.
The RISAS certificate encompasses Bombardier’s delivery of rolling stock
overhaul including C4 & C6 Classified Repairs, supply of door header kits,
door control equipment and gangways at the Ilford depot. The rolling stock
maintainer achieved the sought-after RISAS (Railway Industry Supplier
Approval Scheme) certification, with effect from 16 May 2013.
In 2012/13, there were 1.5 billion passenger journeys and nearly 50 million
freight train kilometres travelled, making for a highly intensive and popular
railway, requiring fault-free rolling stock that people can rely on to be safe and
get to destinations on time.
RISAS represents a high level of assurance of suppliers commensurate with
the safety criticality of rolling stock maintenance. The scheme relies on
suppliers and customers both having a lucid appreciation of the risks, and a
proven capability to manage them.
Bombardier’s Ilford site provides more comprehensive overhaul services to rail
vehicles for rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs), working closely with
Bombardier’s sister site in Crewe on bogie overhaul, a site which also enjoys
RISAS certification.
The big advantage of RISAS is that the whole rail system can assume a high
level of assurance in operations like Ilford and companies like Bombardier,
based on one universally accepted, rigorous assessment.
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Dave Adams, General Manager at Bombardier’s Ilford depot commented: ‘This
is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Ilford, having been through a very
challenging process, we are deriving a huge amount of value from RISAS. It
was a deep delve into our management systems and processes, resulting in
improvements to our business. Our RISAS certificate is third party proof of
Ilford’s heavy maintenance capability to the world.’
The assessment was undertaken by SGS CORREL Rail as a Rail Industry
Supplier Approval Body (RISAB), accredited by RSSB. Such assessments
pose ambitious challenges to candidates like Bombardier, to be able to
demonstrate excellence across their entire spectrum of activities.
Barry Cullinane, who led the SGS CORREL Rail RISAS team during the
assessment added: ‘SGS awarded Bombardier the RISAS certificate following
a lot of hard work all round. As we have seen with so many other
organisations, the assessment had an immediate impact and unlocked a huge
amount of hidden value. Such a comprehensive examination of shop-floor
and board-room processes will identify opportunities to improve, and as a
RISAB we have to be sure that the business is applying its processes properly
and correctly. The Ilford set-up has made the grade.’
Chairman of the RISAS Board, Tim Dugher said: ‘The buying community
should be encouraged that Bombardier continues to expand its corporate
commitment to RISAS by going through the rigorous process of seeking and
indeed achieving this certification at Ilford. It's very gratifying to see the fruits of
the effort undertaken, and that Bombardier at Ilford merits RISAS certification.
The scheme is designed by the industry, for the industry, and endorsed by the
regulator.’
RISAS is facilitated by RSSB combining expertise in administration of national
programmes with knowledge and experience of rolling stock standards and
competence. For further information, go to: www.risas.co.uk
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-EndsPhotographs of the certificate presentation at Ilford are available. For further
information, please contact the RSSB press office, on 020 3142 5333 / 5332 /
5331 or email pressoffice@rssb.co.uk or visit the website www.rssb.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. About Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail
industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable
mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency,
economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train
performance for operators and passengers. With over 3,200 people employed at eight Bombardier
sites and 31 customer locations across the UK, Bombardier has delivered, or has on order, more
than 60 per cent of the UK's existing fleet and currently maintains around 40 per cent of the UK's
rolling stock. Bombardier has over 50 years’ experience in providing the latest signalling technology
to the UK rail network.
2. About SGS CORREL Rail
As part of the SGS Group, SGS CORREL Rail is a leading RISAB and independent certification
body offering verification and validation services to the UK, European and Global railway rolling
stock industry. SGS is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and
certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognised as the global benchmark in quality and
integrity. With over 75,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,500 offices and
laboratories around the world.
3. About RISAS
The Railway Industry Supplier Approval Scheme (RISAS) is the GB main line rail industry’s ‘not-forprofit’ scheme for the assessment and certification of suppliers of critical products and services.
RISAS supports Network Rail, the passenger and freight train operators and other organisations
that purchase critical products and services in connection with GB Railways (collectively the
‘clients’) in their management of supply chain and asset maintenance risk. It provides an
independent, rigorous assessment of a supplier’s capability to consistently provide critical products
and services in accordance with customer requirements. RISAS ‘adds value’ to both the clients and
the suppliers by offering:
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A single, universally recognised assessment and certificate which reduces/ eliminates the need
for audits by other third party schemes or individual client companies in GB.
Clear and transparent supplier assessments by competent independent bodies which support
the operation of a client’s safety management system in controlling risk.
Challenging assessments which support suppliers in meeting client requirements and
demonstrating excellence.
Formalised mechanism for controlled feedback and resolution of customer product and service
issues.
A robust system for the assessment and certification of rolling stock maintenance recognised by
the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) which can also efficiently meet the requirements of the
European Union Safety Directive.
RISAS is managed by RSSB (as both the scheme manager and the accreditation agency), on
behalf of the rail industry, represented by the RISAS Board. For more info: www.risas.co.uk
4. About RSSB
RSSB is a rail industry body which brings all parts of the rail system together to support shared
decisions, products and services, to help industry drive out unnecessary cost, improve business
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
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performance and develop long-term strategy. This includes supporting the activities of a wide
range of stakeholder groups, including the RISAS Board. For more information go to
www.rssb.co.uk
RSSB manages RISAS, providing the agency for accrediting the approval bodies which then
assess companies going for RISAS certification. RSSB also provides the scheme management,
which includes looking after the governance of RISAS, administration of its Board and facilitating its
development of its Business Plan, reporting back into the RSSB Board, supporting stakeholder
engagement with users of the scheme, and its marketing, promotion and communication – including
the RISAS website.
RSSB Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 3142 5660 www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square 1 Torrens Street London EC1V 1NY Registered in England No.
04655675