Department of Transport

John Watts announces sale of BR research company
_______________________________________________________________

date 20 December 1996
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 403

John Watts, Minister for Railways, Roads and Local Transport, today
announced the sale of BR Research Limited to AEA Technology plc.

Welcoming the sale, Mr Watts said:

"BR Research Limited is the latest BR Central Services business to be
sold.

"This can only be to the benefit of the railway industry. As more
and more of these companies join the private sector, they demonstrate
the substantial advantages - not least in terms of efficiency - to
be gained from being exposed to market forces and given commercial
management."

BR Research Limited provides research, development, consultancy and
engineering testing services for vehicle and infrastructure owners
and maintenance contractors, train operators and industry suppliers
in Great Britain and overseas. The company operates principally from
leased premises in Derby but also has a marketing office in Hong
Kong.

Turnover in the financial year 1995/96 was some #17.8m.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. BR Research Limited is the second BR Central Services business to
be sold this month. The other was Scientifics Limited, sold on 9
December to the Atesta Group Limited.

2. Other Central Services businesses sold include Signalling Control
UK, Interlogic Control Engineering, Castleton Long Welded Rail and
Track Works, Interfleet Technology and the Engineering Link.

3. British Rail plan to dispose of the remaining Central Services
businesses by the end of the current financial year.

# = pounds sterling

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-12-20 DoT-001