On Nov. 9, technology firm Trimble and the China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co. Ltd. (CREEC) announced the signing of a definitive agreement to form a joint venture based in Chengdu, China, subject to regulatory approval by the Chinese government.
"We are extremely pleased to be partnering with CREEC, a world leader in railway design and management," said Steven W. Berglund, Trimble president and CEO. "With China's rate of economic development and modernization, infrastructure projects in the area of transportation are national priorities. By leveraging our respective capabilities, we believe the joint venture will create innovative digital solutions that will increase efficiency and productivity for the railway industry."
The joint venture, 50 percent owned by Trimble and 50 percent owned by CREEC, will leverage Trimble's commercial positioning, communications and software technologies and CREEC's expertise in rail design and construction to develop and provide digital railway solutions that address the design, construction and maintenance for the Chinese railway industry.
"The next stage of China's railway development will embrace digital solutions, which require higher standards in survey, design and construction and creates new opportunities at the same time. Thus, the cooperation between the two parties is in line with the long-term development strategy under such prospects," said Qi Baorui, chairman of CREEC.