Freshwater wins major contract with international train manufacturer, Stadler

Freshwater UK, the leading independent communications consultancy, has been appointed by Swiss head-quartered train manufacturer, Stadler, to provide its first-ever communications support in the UK.

The contract, secured through a competitive tender and pitch process, will see the 60-strong agency devise and deliver an ongoing programme of media relations and profile raising, stakeholder engagement and issues management.

The appointment comes as the rolling stock manufacturer seeks to build on recent contract wins and further develop its commercial presence in the market. Stadler signed a contract in the second half of last year with Abellio to supply 378 carriages for the new Greater Anglia rail franchise, part of the largest ever privately-procured order of trains in the UK. In December, Stadler was announced as the successful bidder to build and maintain 52 new metro trains for the Merseyrail network in the Liverpool City Region, in a contract worth up to £700m.

Lucy Battle, director of Freshwater’s consultancy division in London, said: “Winning Stadler is testament to Freshwater’s position in rail communications and is a critical win as we continue to grow our transport portfolio even further.

“We have a team of transport specialists who’ve built up an enviable reputation working with train operating companies, owning groups, sub national transport bodies, manufacturers and industry regulators for more than a decade, and we’re looking forward to bringing this experience to bear on this exciting new contract.”

Marina Winder, Head of Communications and PR at Stadler Rail Group said: “We were impressed with Freshwater’s extensive credentials in the rail sector, up-to-date experience and added value they will bring to our brief.”

Freshwater is an independent communications agency with growing teams in London and Cardiff.