RS Clare, UK’s oldest lubricant manufacturer, has acquired Swiss-based railway lubrication solutions provider, Igralub Holding GmbH, together with its subsidiaries in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, and its share of a joint venture in North America. The acquisition complements RS Clare’s existing rail lubrication business and partnerships. RS Clare provides premium curved rail lubricants to major rail markets worldwide, including the UK, North America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

The benefits of effective friction management are becoming increasingly well understood as a key enabler for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all types of railway, and this is leading to the development and use of increasingly sophisticated friction management system technologies, including remote monitoring of equipment and intelligent control of lubricant application.  As a result, customers are increasingly looking for complete friction management solutions rather than individual products.  

Access to Igralub’s advanced trainborne application system and monitoring technology will allow RS Clare to respond to changing market needs and support the company’s strategy to grow its railway business and offer a comprehensive range of friction management solutions.  Igralub will continue to operate as a subsidiary of RS Clare and will benefit from the broader resources of the RS Clare Group, especially its state-of-the-art R&D facilities.

IGRALUB was founded by André Kofmehl in 1992 with partners from Germany in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, IGRALUB has subsidiaries and agencies in 16 countries (branch offices in Singapore, USA, and Germany), and has conducted about 250 project studies, and solution recommendations. More than 200 transit authorities around the world are using IGRALUB’s lubricants and systems, including operators of high speed rail, commuter and light-rail, streetcars, heavy-rail and heavy haul locomotives, as well as cog-rails, a specialty of our company.

“RS Clare is focused on growing its rail business by becoming a friction management solutions provider and increasing our footprint in key markets, such as Europe.   Igralub has built an enviable reputation with over 30 years relevant experience in wheel rail friction management and satisfied customers worldwide, so this acquisition supports both these goals.   We are very excited by the long-term growth opportunities for both RS Clare and Igralub as their advanced systems knowledge, project delivery experience and extensive market presence enables us to leverage the complementary capabilities of both businesses,” said David Meadows, managing director of RS Clare.

“RS Clare is the perfect match for us, on one side they share the same values for quality and customer orientation, on the other side, RS Clare is an agile, versatile and clever partner striving for innovative products. Together we will be able to offer railway customers a comprehensive set of friction management solutions,” said Fabrizio Steinebrunner, CEO of Igralub AG.

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