CREG partners with Metalliance 14 Feb 2019

In a step towards creating a one-source supplier of project equipment, CREG, the China Railway Engineering Equipment Group, has entered a strategic partnership with French multi-service vehicle (MSV) supplier Metalliance. The parties will carry out an all-round and in-depth cooperation in global tunnelling projects and underground space development.

Strategic partnership

“We have had a working relationship with Metalliance for the past 10 years,” said Thomas Wu, Managing Director of CREG TBM Germany. “This announcement formalises a partnership between us after working more closely over the past two years.”

Since taking over the intellectual property rights of the German Wirth TBM manufacturing company in 2013, CREG TBMs and products have been ordered and exported to 17 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, India, Italy, Lebanon, Israel and Dubai.

Rubber-tyred Metalliance MSV

Metalliance was founded in France in 1923 and logistic tunnel vehicles are used widely through its global network of distributers in Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Japan. Since 1993, the company has provided different types of MSVs and other tunnel equipment to more than 100 projects worldwide.

“Metalliance is currently working with us on the stormwater project in Dubai where the two 11m diameter GREG TBMs are assembled and ready to launch on drives to complete 10km of deep drainage tunnels for the Porr/Six Construct JV,” said Wu. “The Metalliance MSVs will carry segments and supplies into the two advancing machines.”

In speaking to TunnelTalk about the partnership with Metalliance, Wu confirmed orders for four new CREG TBMs – two ordered by the Vinci/Hochtief JV for excavation of 4.4km Sydhavn Metro Line 4 in Copenhagen and two for the Salini Impregilo/NGE JV for its 4.1km long Line 14 extension for the Grand Paris Express project in Paris. The machines will be assembled and factory tested in China with key components supplied from Europe.