Manufacturing - Rail Forum

Did you know that 33% of our members are involved in manufacturing here in the UK? This provides a wealth of products and processes that can be used to support the national rail network and presents strong export opportunities.

Our Manufacturing Workstream, launched in May 2024, seeks to support manufacturing and shine a spotlight on to this important local capability and this page gives you details of what that activity looks like as well as introducing our Manufacturing Partner for 2024-2025, and our Manufacturing Steering Group.

Keep checking back for new activities as the year progresses…

Rail Manufacturing: An Engine for Growth

Rail Forum has published Rail Manufacturing: An Engine for Growth - a policy document developed with our Manufacturing Steering Group that sets out practical actions to drive greater benefits for the UK economy through rail manufacturing.

The document makes the case for securing skilled jobs now and into the future, encouraging investment in technology and skills, and reducing costs through greater productivity. Crucially, none of the recommendations require additional government funding or new legislation - they are practical steps that can be adopted quickly, delivering real benefits for suppliers, clients, and UK taxpayers.

The recommendations complement and build on the conclusions of recent Transport Committee inquiries into the boom-and-bust approach to rail investment and manufacturing skills, and we encourage Government to go further in adopting them.

Read Here

#MayMake 2026

Throughout May 2026, Rail Forum ran the #MayMake campaign - a dedicated social media initiative putting UK rail manufacturing firmly in the spotlight.

MayMake invited members to share what they make, where they make it, and who makes it happen. From components and systems to full vehicle assembly, the campaign was an opportunity to show the depth and breadth of UK rail manufacturing capability: loudly, confidently, and together.

36 organisations took part, sharing their stories on LinkedIn and making the case for UK sourcing to customers, partners, and procurement decision-makers across the sector.

Get Involved in 2027

#MayMake will return in May 2027. If you'd like to take part, or want to discuss UK manufacturing advocacy in the meantime, get in touch.

Making the Case for UK Sourcing

The arguments MayMake was built to amplify are no less important now that May is over.

When contracts go to UK manufacturers, the benefits extend far beyond the factory floor. Jobs are created and sustained in communities across the country. Skills are developed and passed on. Investment stays in the UK. Supply chains become more resilient. And the industrial capability that takes decades to build is preserved for future generations.

These are arguments worth making all year round and Rail Forum will keep making them.

UK Rail Manufacturing Capability Brochure

Our UK Rail Manufacturing Capability brochure showcases the breadth, innovation, and strength of the UK’s rail manufacturing sector.

The 1st edition highlighted the diverse capabilities of our members and their vital contribution to the domestic and global rail supply chain. Building on that success, the second edition—launched in May 2025—features an expanded collection of 81 member case studies, reflecting the growing momentum, expertise, and collaboration within the industry. Both editions are designed to connect businesses, promote UK capabilities, and support growth across the sector.

Explore the, fully-interactive, latest 3rd Edition brochure below to discover the exceptional talent and innovation driving UK rail manufacturing forward.

3rd Edition

View / Download Here

Introducing our Manufacturing Partner

About TDI

Transport Design International (TDI) are market leaders in the design and manufacture of lightweight, mass transit solutions for the transport industry. With 30 years’ experience in the rail industry, their Very Light Rail product platforms Revolution VLR, Lync VLR and Orbit run on lower-cost infrastructure and offer more affordable transport solutions. Their product portfolio offers platform and kerb height vehicle solutions and single or multi-car options for both urban and rural routes. All projects are aimed at achieving the company’s sustainable goals of zero-carbon functionality for a greener future.

Find out more: https://transportdesigninternational.com/

Paul Salkeld Head of Business at TDI Greenway, said: “TDI Greenway are delighted to be supporting the Rail Forum as their Manufacturing Partner again this year. With a UK contract in place and growing UK and international interest in our innovative green approach to transport and particularly very light rail, TDI will be expanding with a new build facility in the Midlands, this will become the manufacturing and technical centre for the business. This is an exciting time to be working with Rail Forum with its extensive industry base, and we are looking forward to flying the flag for UK Manufacturing and creating more opportunities across our local and national supply chain.”

Steering Group

Neil Cross – Ibstock (Anderton Concrete)

Lee Coleman, National Sales Manager Rail and Power - Cembre

Established in 1986 in Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield, CEMBRE Ltd manufacture over 6,000,000 connections and terminals a year. With a vast array of approvals for Network Rail, London Underground and Rollingstock Manufacturers CEMBRE seek to cooperate with the users of its products to search the best technical and economical solutions related to electrical connection applications.

Steve Barbour, Managing Director - Composite Braiding

Steve Barbour founded Composite Braiding Ltd focussing on higher-volume, lower-cost, more sustainable composite structures. He has turned around 4 other composite businesses and prior to that was a senior manager at Rolls-Royce.

David Taylor, Managing Director - Datum

After founding Datum in 1997, David has spent the last 25+ years growing and developing the business. Datum now employ around 70 people and is the UKs leading supplier of Composite Parts and Sub-assembly`s into the UK Rail market. From Litter Bins to Train Fronts, Table-Tops to Toilets, Datum Deliver.

Joanne Farms, Business Development Manager - Hydram

Hydram Engineering is a leading supplier of precision sheet metal components, assemblies and sheet metal fabrications and proud to be your UK manufacturing partner.

Neil Cross, National Sales Manager – Rail & Infrastructure, Ibstock

“As a leading manufacturer of precast concrete products for the UK rail sector, we are proud to be supporting Rail Forum as a Manufacturing Partner for this year. We are able to offer a complete and lower embodied carbon range to UK rail operators, empowering them to make greener choices when specifying infrastructure materials. “As one of the most advanced rail systems in the world, the British rail network is an exciting and dynamic space and, with more investment in the network pledged by the new government, it’s a fantastic time to be working within the sector.”

Nigel Hewson, Business Development Manager - Infotec

Infotec is a world class designer and manufacturer of LED & TFT passenger information displays. Its products are built to withstand the challenging environments of rail stations, bus and tram networks and on-vehicle applications. Featuring ruggedised designs, environmental management, proven reliability and the capacity to handle a wide range of industry standard protocols over RS485, Ethernet, WiFi and mobile networks, our displays are built to meet your needs.

Tom Roberts, Sales Director – Signal House Group Ltd.

Signal House Group – Founded in 1970, We specialise in designing and manufacturing fabricated steelwork for Rail, Nuclear, Construction and Telecoms industry partners. We deliver work up to a UKCA EXC 4 standard and are Constructionline Gold approved.

Paul Salkeld, Head of Business at TDI Greenway

TDI Greenway are delighted to be supporting the Rail Forum as their Manufacturing Partner again this year. With a UK contract in place and growing UK and international interest in our innovative green approach to transport and particularly very light rail, TDI will be expanding with a new build facility in the Midlands, this will become the manufacturing and technical centre for the business. This is an exciting time to be working with Rail Forum with its extensive industry base, and we are looking forward to flying the flag for UK Manufacturing and creating more opportunities across our local and national supply chain.”