Annual Report 2010 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

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Framework agreement with AAE
Knorr-Bremse has signed an agreement for the overhaul of brake components with AAE (Ahaus Alstätter
Eisenbahn AG), the leading European leasing company for standard freight cars. The contract covers
a period of three years and includes all Knorr-Bremse control valves, load-proportional valves and load
brake valves installed in freight cars covered by the company’s European overhaul program. The program
starts in 2011 and a total of some 6,000 valves will be overhauled over the period covered by the
contract.
The logistics will be handled by the Knorr-Bremse Service Center in Berlin, but the actual overhaul will
take place at the company’s specialized Service Center in Budapest. The time frame for carrying out the
overhaul and returning components to AAE is a mere five days. By setting up a pool of overhauled
components and maintaining them on the basis of forecast deadlines it is possible, in cooperation with
the customer, to guarantee minimum throughput times. At any one time the service center has valves
undergoing overhaul and also a stock of finished valves. As freight cars come in, they can immediately
undergo servicing and the valves can be installed as rapidly as possible, enabling Knorr-Bremse to keep
out-of-service times to a minimum.
This quick turnaround was one reason why the contract was awarded to Knorr-Bremse. Another was
the company’s ability to offer a single central location for all the customer’s overhaul requirements. And
of course a further deciding factor was Knorr-Bremse’s excellent reputation amongst operators for service
reliability.
Service contract with Danish Railways extended
Danish Railways (DSB) is continuing to rely on the competence of Knorr-Bremse when it comes to
servicing its fleet: Knorr-Bremse will also be handling the second overhaul cycle for the hydraulic
brakes of DSB’s commuter rail fleet. For Knorr-Bremse this renewed vote of confidence is a great success
and underlines the company’s strong competitive position in such major projects. A key factor in
obtaining the order was doubtless Knorr-Bremse’s extremely reliable performance in the first overhaul
cycle of these commuter trains.
The follow-up order covers the entire commuter rail fleet operated by DSB, which comprises 120
eight-car sets and 35 four-car sets. The second overhaul cycle will run from 2012 to 2018. At the same
time, DSB secured an option to extend the contract beyond this period.
North America
Locomotive exports to China, South Africa and South America
Due in part to the ongoing weakness of the domestic freight market, locomotive exports have become
an important factor for North American rail equipment suppliers. Recent procurements, originating primarily
in China, Africa and Australia, have also benefited Knorr-Bremse’s US subsidiary New York Air Brake
(NYAB).