Knorr-Bremse plans to acquire the joint venture ICER Rail in its entirety. Through this move, Knorr-Bremse is extending its position in the field of friction materials – an important, technically demanding part of the braking system. The parties have agreed to treat the purchase price as a confidential matter. The acquisition is subject to approval by the anti-trust authorities.
ICER Rail was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between the Spanish Berkelium Group and Knorr-Bremse. Today, it is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of friction materials for rail vehicles. In Pamplona, Spain, the company develops and produces innovative friction materials for almost all railway applications.
“The complete acquisition of ICER Rail is the next logical step for Knorr-Bremse in our rail friction materials strategy,” said Klaus Deller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG. “Being able to develop braking systems and friction materials from start to finish helps us to further improve the braking effect, cut life cycle costs and reduce noise, benefiting our customers and the environment.”
The acquisition forms part of Knorr-Bremse’s ongoing growth strategy. Back in 2008, Knorr-Bremse acquired Anchor Brake Shoes, the leading North American brake shoe manufacturer for locomotives and freight cars. This was followed in 2010 by the formation of the joint venture ICER Rail, which enabled Knorr-Bremse to round off its range with organic brake pads and brake shoes for vehicles that comply with the European UIC standard. Recently, in February 2016, Knorr-Bremse acquired the rail transport activities of brake pad specialist TMD Friction.
Berkelium Group, based in Pamplona, Spain, is an international organization with more than 50 years of commitment to excellence in engineering and manufacturing, specializing in automotive braking systems, with Icer Brakes S.A., as well as rail braking systems. Berkelium owns stakes in several businesses such as the Azkoyen Group which specializes in vending systems, payment systems, security and access-control. With plants in seven countries it exports products and services to more than seventy countries around the world.
ICER Rail was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between the Spanish Berkelium Group and Knorr-Bremse. Today, it is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of friction materials for rail vehicles. In Pamplona, Spain, the company develops and produces innovative friction materials for almost all railway applications.
“The complete acquisition of ICER Rail is the next logical step for Knorr-Bremse in our rail friction materials strategy,” said Klaus Deller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG. “Being able to develop braking systems and friction materials from start to finish helps us to further improve the braking effect, cut life cycle costs and reduce noise, benefiting our customers and the environment.”
The acquisition forms part of Knorr-Bremse’s ongoing growth strategy. Back in 2008, Knorr-Bremse acquired Anchor Brake Shoes, the leading North American brake shoe manufacturer for locomotives and freight cars. This was followed in 2010 by the formation of the joint venture ICER Rail, which enabled Knorr-Bremse to round off its range with organic brake pads and brake shoes for vehicles that comply with the European UIC standard. Recently, in February 2016, Knorr-Bremse acquired the rail transport activities of brake pad specialist TMD Friction.
Berkelium Group, based in Pamplona, Spain, is an international organization with more than 50 years of commitment to excellence in engineering and manufacturing, specializing in automotive braking systems, with Icer Brakes S.A., as well as rail braking systems. Berkelium owns stakes in several businesses such as the Azkoyen Group which specializes in vending systems, payment systems, security and access-control. With plants in seven countries it exports products and services to more than seventy countries around the world.
