Global Rail aim to develop the local rail industry

File Photo (Pixabay)

By Sharen Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR : Global Rail Sdn Bhd, a pioneer railway systems provider is planning a major overhaul to transform the company into a next Millenium and leading engineering group with an emphasis on human capital development.

  Executive chairman Fan Boon Heng said it plans to invest in people and resources for the growth and productivity of the company.

  Global Rail is also looking at a new business in the railway sector and has drafted a comprehensive development plan on how to take the industry forward, he told the New Straits Times.

Global Rail Sdn Bhd executive chairman Fan Boon Heng

  "Looking at the current economic situation, there is a need to create something to sustain growth. Human capital development, which includes productivity enhancements is our priority to boost the people’s incomes," said Fan.

  Fan said Malaysia should look at developing the local railway industry and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to boost the country's economy.

  He hoped that the upcoming economic stimulus package, aimed at mitigating the adverse external economic impacts of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, will offer something for the railway sector.

  "There aren't many rail projects in Malaysia. Large scale rail projects play a significant role in increasing economic development by providing access to transportation and improving connectivity. It will have a positive impact on the economic development of a nation," said Fan.

  Global Rail, set up in 2007, was founded by Fan, who previously headed ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation and, later, Balfour Beatty Rail Sdn Bhd for about 20 years.

  Its key areas of expertise include project management, designing, engineering and construction of the signalling, communication, and electrification of the railway systems.

  The company currently employs 190 people and there are plans to increase that by threefold in the next three years, said Fan.

  The CIDB registered grade 7 company has several on-going rail-based contracts that will keep the company busy in the next two years, said Fan.

  It has a contract from CRRC Rolling Stock Center (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to design, supply, assemble, install, test and commission nine train sets of ATP systems based on European Railway Train Management System (ERTMS) with specific transmission module and European train control system.

  The company was also awarded a contract to design, supply, install, test and commission building management system for elevated (V201 to V210) and depot (DPT201) for Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Mass Rapid Transit (SSP line), and electrification enabling works from Kajang to Bangi stations for the Klang Valley Double Tracking Phase 2 project.

  Past projects include the construction of Batu Gajah EMU depot for Road Builder (IJM) as well as design, supply, install, test and commission wayside automatic train protection (ATP) system and 25kV tie circuit breaker for Pembenaan Yeoh Tiong Lay Sdn Bhd.

  Global Rail also designed, supplied, assembled, installed, tested and commissioned the wayside ATP system for the Seremban-Gemas electrified double-track project for main contractor Indian Railway in 2013.

  It recently completed the overhaul and maintenance for 25kV overhead catenary system (OCS), power supply equipment and SCADA system in the Rawang-Ipoh double-track sector for the Transport Ministry (MOT) and KTM Bhd (KTMB), two months ahead of schedule on 30 June 2019.

  The services had been successfully tested and commissioned and KTMB took over on 30 June 2019.

  Fan said MOT has recognised the company for completing the job ahead of time.

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