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Griffin Locomotives to be manufactured in Croatia
Croatia’s Đuro Đaković Specijalna vozila, one of the companies making up Đuro Đaković Holding, and Poland’s locomotive builder Newag have signed a cooperation agreement on the joint manufacturing of the four-axle one-system electric locomotive, type E4ACU. The agreement defines permanent and multiyear cooperation on transferring highly sophisticated technology, sharing experiences and know-how as regards manufacturing globally competitive electric locomotives. This will be the first time these locomotives will be manufactured in Slavonski Brod.
With their cooperation Đuro Đaković and Newag, the two EU-based companies, have shown a long-term commitment to joint manufacturing and sales of locomotives in the global markets with the aim of making the market of the Republic of Croatia the trigger and start of the cooperation.
“The implementation of the cooperation with the renowned Polish firm Newag guarantees mutual benefits for the two countries’ economies. This is a huge feat for both Croatia and Đuro Đaković seeing as the locomotive will to return to Slavonski Brod after 23 years, while for the first time ever we will have the opportunity build electric locomotives in Đuro Đaković. Thanks to this agreement, highly sophisticated know-how, which Croatia lacks at the moment, will come to the country, while we will be able to sell the locomotives manufactured in Croatia in both EU and non-EU markets. I am pleased to see that Đuro Đaković, a company with prewar experience in manufacturing diesel locomotives and current builder of freight wagons, among other things, has been recognized as a valuable partner with the knowhow and expertise to implement this demanding technology. Having in mind HŽ Cargo’s need for locomotives, we hope that together, with good-quality products, competitive prices and a package of additional benefits, we will win HŽ Cargo’s trust in a competitive game”, President of Đuro Đaković’s Management Board Vladimir Kovačević explained.
The E4ACU electric locomotive is intended for pulling freight wagons of up to 3200t at speeds of up to 160 km/h and passenger wagons at speeds of up to 200 km/h. It is characterized, among other, by the highest level of security, substantiality and an intelligent energy management system. The E4ACU locomotive was the highest rated locomotive at the 2012 INNOTRANS International Trade Fair in Berlin.
“Griffin is a platform of electric locomotives which have been specially developed for the European markets. As a result, Griffin is a technologically advanced, multisystem locomotive which can potentially be operated in most countries of the old continent. Furthermore, Griffin locomotives are characterized by world class availability and reliability coefficients, as well as optimized exploitation costs. All the more I am very pleased that this locomotive will be produced in the Croatian factories in Đuro Đaković and am absolutely convinced that if HŻ Cargo acquires these high tech locomotives, the acquisition will contribute to significant increase of the effectivity of the Croatian rolling stock”, explained NEWAG’s Gliwice President of the Board Bartosz Krzemiński.
Alongside joint manufacturing and transfer of advanced technology and knowhow as regards electric locomotive manufacturing, Đuro Đaković will get the opportunity to offer the manufactured locomotives in the third markets and Newag will offer Đuro Đaković’s freight wagons in the Polish and other markets.
The agreement was signed on 28.05.2014 at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia in Zagreb in the presence of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Vesna Pusić and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Development of Poland Elżbieta Bieńkowska. On behalf of NEWAG Gliwice the agreement was signed by Bartosz Krzemiński, President of the Board and Maciej Duczyński, Vice President of the Board and Technical Director. Đuro Đaković was represented by Bartol Jerkowić, General Manager and Darko Grabac, Executive Director.
