Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) has purchased the Bari Fonderie Meridionali (BFM) for approximately 6,5 million euros. The deed of sale signed in Rome by Maurizio Gentile, CEO of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and Dusan Kadlec, President of Bari Fonderie Meridionali.
With the purchase of BFM (Czech group DT – Výhybkárna a strojírna, as), historic supplier of "cores" in cast manganese steel, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana aims to take a further step in the internationalization of the production of railway components, in expansion of the internal production chain by exploiting synergies with the other company workshops and improving its know-how.
By internalising the production of over 1800 "hearts" in cast manganese steel, RFI will satisfy the entire requirement with production costs lower than purchase prices and will guarantee employment continuity for around 100 workers (80 workers and 17 managers and employees) of an important industrial reality in Southern Italy.
The purchase of BFM makes it possible to expand RFI's internal production chain. In fact, Bari Fonderie Meridionali joins the Pontassieve workshop, which produces switches and equipment for tracks, and the one in Bologna, which specializes in components for electric power supply systems for trains and safety and signaling systems).
BFM had been in composition with creditors since November 2014. A situation that had repercussions on industrial production, due to the partial shutdown of the plant, and resulted in an increase in the prices of "hearts" of up to 25%.
