Hunter-based manufacturing company,Newcastle Machine Shop, has won an export order to China in partnership with the country’s rail company.

The business, which is based in Cardiff, has signed contracts to supply safety critical components to Chinese state owned rolling stock company, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC).

CRRC employs around 20,000 people and has offices and facilities around the globe.

Newcastle Machine Shop General Manager, Tim Hardy said the contract is a significant win for the Hunter region.

“This contract is significant for us and is testament to the fact that small/ medium Hunter manufacturers can compete on a global scale. We have the skills and know-how, here in the Hunter, to take to the rest of the world,” Tim said.

Newcastle Machine Shop secured the contract after supplying and maintaining Operator Enable Pedals (OEP’s) for the Waratah train contract with Downer EDI.

“We have been able to demonstrate significant success in reducing costs due to the improved quality and reliability of the OEP’s we manufacture,” Tim said.

“We are currently in negotiation with CRRC on other projects which will hopefully secure future contracts for us, and potentially, other HunterNet members.”

For more than 30 years, Newcastle Machine Shop has been supplying quality products and services to the Australian industry and many other industries around the world.

“We consider that what we are doing in regards to CNC machining is exceeding the benchmarks of world-class practices. Through diversity, we have maintained a good balance across the sectors we work in. We service industries from transport all the way through to mining and defence,” Tim said.

The contract is due to be delivered over the next 6-8 months.