Sumitomo Metals to Ship First Wheel for Europe High-Speed Railway

Sumitomo Metal Industries and Sumitomo Corporation have signed a three-year contract to supply high-speed railway wheel to Deutsche Bahn in Germany, announced on Wednesday. Sumitomo Metals and Sumitomo Corp. have concluded for long-term wheel supply contract for the first time in Europe. Sumitomo Metals supplies about 7,000 units of railway wheel for Inter City Express, DB’s high-speed train, from 2009 to 2011. Sumitomo Metals has been supplied wheel for high-speed wheel in Japan, China, and Taiwan. The firm aims to expand sales of wheel in overseas market while several countries are planning to build high-speed railway system.

Sumitomo Metals has been supplied high-speed railway wheel for test run of ICE, which has been conducted since 2003. Deutsche Bahn appreciated the high performance in the abrasion resistance and decided the commercial use.

With progress in modal shift caused by global environmental problems, United States, Brazil, Vietnam, India, and other countries are planning to build high-speed railway. The firm plans to expand the sales of wheel for high-speed railway in overseas.