Rail signalling services provider Fenix Signalling is set to establish itself in Southeast Asia following the acquisition of a majority shareholding in MGB Systems Ltd (MGBS).
MGBS will now become known as Fenix Southeast Asia Limited. Fenix Southeast Asia officially began trading in April 2018 and its client base includes Hitachi, Ansaldo STS, George Kent (Malaysia) and Rail Systems Australia.
Fenix Signalling already had good business relationships with partners in Southeast Asia, including MGBS, and was looking to make acquisitions in the Asian sub-region that were strategically and commercially advantageous to Fenix and its client base.
Fenix Southeast Asia will be led by Regional Director Peter Foxley, former managing director of MGBS.
The purchase quickly followed a visit to the Thailand head office of MGBS by Craig Purcell, CEO of Fenix Group, in February 2018.
Mr Purcell said: “This is one of the most exciting opportunities in our history, since we established our UK base in the strategic rail heartland of the Midlands.
“Within our team, we have always had vast experience in the international rail market. A large part of the rail infrastructure throughout the Asian continent is still largely undeveloped.
“The formation of Fenix Southeast Asia, with the leadership of Peter Foxley, significantly enhances our rail infrastructure engineering capability to take to the global market. This includes a dual offering of consultancy services and rail systems and technology for the design, procurement, installation and commissioning phases of our clients’ major projects.”
Peter Foxley said: “We have been concentrating on growing our rail systems services business to serve the rail sector throughout the Southeast Asia region. Fenix has proven capabilities and competencies as a provider of railway safety critical services wrapped in Britain’s Railways – a world leader. By bringing Fenix’s high-quality services and products to our existing Southeast Asia platform we will present a powerful and compelling offering that coincides in a timely manner with vast opportunities in the region.”
Eddie Murphy, Projects Director for Fenix Signalling, said: “With so much untapped potential within the rail sector in this part of the world there is untold scope for us as signalling experts with a previous track record of overseas success. Quite simply, we – with our supply chain partners – want to make a positive impact on the rail industry in Southeast Asia. With our new office, strategically positioned in the busy hub of Bangkok, we are really looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Fenix Southeast Asia will provide the region with a one-stop shop of rail systems services for clients at every stage of the infrastructure assets lifecycle, from concepts to operations and maintenance.
The new business will combine partners, skills and experience to offer something independent and unique to the international market. Partners in the delivery of projects, which will see Fenix Southeast Asia supporting main contractors, include Promelectronica and Tiefenbach.
