Adtranz

{{Short description|Rail rolling stock manufacturer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems | logo = ADtranz Logo.svg | former_name = ABB Daimler Benz Transportation | type = Subsidiary | fate = Acquired by Bombardier | successor = Bombardier Transportation | foundation =  {{start date and age|1996|1|1|df=y}} (through merger) | defunct = {{end date|2001|5|1|df=y}} | location_city = Berlin | location_country = Germany<ref>DaimlerBenz Annual Report 1996, p.84</ref> | key_people = Rolf Eckrodt (President, Chairman)<ref name="ech">{{Cite web |title=Rolf Eckrodt |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/A-E/Eckrodt-Rolf-1942.html |website=referenceforbusiness.com}}</ref> | industry = Rail transportation | products = Rail vehicles, railway electrification and signalling | revenue = DM5.7 billion (1996)<ref>DaimlerBenz Annual Report 1996, p. 29</ref> DM6.4 billion (1997)<ref name="d1997">DaimlerBenz Annual Report 1997, pp. 39–40</ref> {{nowrap|€3.3 billion (DM6.5 billion) (1998)<ref name="d1998">DaimlerChrysler Annual Report 1998, p.47</ref>}} €3.6 billion (1999)<ref>DaimlerChrysler Annual Report 1999, p. 49</ref> €3.9 billion (2000)<ref name="c2000">DaimlerChrysler Annual Report, p.42</ref> | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = ABB and Daimler-Benz (1996–1999) Daimler Chrysler (1999–2001) | num_employees = 22,715 (1997)<ref name="d1997" /> }}

'''Adtranz''' was a multi-national rail transportation equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the US. The company, legally known as '''ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation''', was created in 1996 as a joint venture between ABB and Daimler-Benz to combine their rail equipment manufacturing operations. In 1999, DaimlerChrysler (successor to Daimler-Benz) bought ABB's shares and changed the company's official name to '''DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems'''. The company was acquired by Bombardier in 2001, which merged it into its Bombardier Transportation division, which became the largest rail equipment manufacturer in the world at the time, and was ultimately acquired by Alstom in 2021.

Adtranz manufactured locomotives, high-speed, regional, metro and underground passenger trains, trams and people movers as well as freight wagons. Non-rolling stock businesses included railway electrification and signalling infrastructure.

== History == On 8 May 1995, ABB and Daimler-Benz proposed a merger of their rail industry-related activities into a single autonomous 50:50 joint venture; the combined group would be the largest rail-technology company in the world.<ref>Commission Decision of 18 October 1995. Case No. IV/M.580 – ABB/Daimler-Benz, pp. 1, 12 (section 44)</ref> In Germany the combined company, along with Siemens would have a duopoly or near-duopoly in the market areas of electric locomotives, mainline and regional electric and diesel multiple units, trams and metros, and catenary systems.<ref>Commission Decision of 18 October 1995. Case No. IV/M.580 – ABB/Daimler-Benz, pp. 13–16 (sections 50–64)</ref> In the EU, outside Germany, the merger would have meant no significant market share increase, including Scandinavia, where ABB had a dominant market share.<ref>Commission Decision of 18 October 1995. Case No. IV/M.580 – ABB/Daimler-Benz, p. 12 (section 46), p. 13 (section 49)</ref> The proposed merger was approved by government regulators on 18 October 1995, on the condition that both companies divest themselves of any shares in Kiepe, a traction components company.{{refn|And other conditions relating to the company's influence and decisions regarding the Kiepe company until such time as the company's shares were sold.<ref name="kend" />|group="note"}}<ref name="kend">Commission Decision of 18 October 1995. Case No. IV/M.580 – ABB/Daimler-Benz, p. 1 (sections 2–3), pp. 38–39</ref> The merger came into force on 1 January 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adtranz in brief |url=http://www.adtranz.com/brief/brief.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961228231044/http://www.adtranz.com/brief/brief.htm |archive-date=28 December 1996 |quote=The international railway group Adtranz is the world's most complete provider of railway systems. The group was legally formed on January 1, 1996, by merging the respective railway activities of Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering group ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, and Daimler-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany.}}</ref><ref>Green light for ABB/AEG merger ''Modern Railways'' issue 567 December 1995 page 767</ref><ref>Adtranz: A new worldwide contender for railway traction and rolling stock ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1119 April 1996 page 10</ref>

The company's manufacturing facilities and product lines were rationalised, including a standard form of car body; after 18 months manufacturing costs had been reduced by 30%,<ref name="ech" /> revenues and orders also rose from 1996 to 1997.<ref name="d1997" /> However the company continued to lose money, $111 million in 1997.<ref name="ech" /> Polish manufacturer Pafawag was acquired in 1997 and the facility modernised,<ref name="d1997" /> controlling interests in ''MÁV Dunakeszi'',<ref group="note">See also Bombardier MÁV Kft. (in Hungarian)</ref> Hungary and ''Schindler Waggon'' Switzerland were also acquired by the end of 1997.<ref name="d1997" />[[File:Refurbished Endeavour Maitland.jpg|thumb|New South Wales Endeavour railcar manufactured by Adtranz]]In March 1998 Adtranz presented a set of new product brands for modular product platforms, with designs that can be adapted for the specific requirements of different customers: the ''Innovia'' guided transport vehicle, the ''Incentro'' low floor tram, the ''Itino'' diesel multiple unit, the ''Crusaris'' medium-high speed train (based on the GMB Class 71 ''flytoget'' trains), and the ''Octeon'' electric locomotive.<ref group="note">Derived from the DBAG Class 145 locomotives. ''See also section:'' DBAG Class 145 family, Adtranz Octeon platform in Traxx</ref> A new diesel locomotive design with engine and electrical traction system provided by General Electric was introduced, named "Blue Tiger".<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Adranz Railway Conference = '98' In Oslo – Universal Rail Innovation |date=16 March 1998 |publisher=Adtranz, via PR Newswire |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=10291 |work=www.prnewswire.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1998 |title=Adtranz: restructuring based on seven product lines |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/564167/adtranz-restructuring-based-seven-product-lines |url-status=dead |journal=Railway Age|volume=199 |issue=4 |page=38 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213245/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/564167/adtranz-restructuring-based-seven-product-lines |archive-date=2014-07-14}}</ref> Adtranz intended to consolidate its product range around these families once on-going deliveries were finished.<ref name="Octeon">{{Cite web |date=April 1998 |title=Adtranz unveils modular range |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/adtranz-unveils-modular-range.html |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=23 January 2011 |archive-date=16 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616125928/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/adtranz-unveils-modular-range.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Adtranz continued operating at a loss in 1998, attributed to earlier contracts with underestimated costs, as well as technical problems with products, in spite of an order for 400 locomotives from Deutsche Bahn, necessitating the acquisition of Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works.<ref name="d1998" />

In January 1999, ABB sold its 50% stake in Adtranz to DaimlerChrysler for $472 million,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=DaimlerChrysler buys ABB's share in Adtranz |publisher=ABB |url=http://www.abb.co.uk/cawp/seitp202/c1256c290031524bc12567310024e211.aspx |work=www.abb.co.uk}}</ref> taking up a previous agreement made on the formation of the joint venture whereby DaimlerChrysler was required to purchase ABB's stake.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 1998 |title=DaimlerChrysler AG, Annual Report to Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. |url=http://www.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/96966_20f_98.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718172141/http://www.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/96966_20f_98.pdf |archive-date=18 July 2011 |website=www.daimler.com |pages=5, 28, F-15}}</ref><ref>DaimlerBenz Annual Report 1996, p.60</ref>

Adtranz finally achieved profitability in 2000, as DaimlerChrysler prepared to sell off Adtranz.<ref name="c2000" /> The Greenbrier Companies acquired the freight wagon manufacturing business in January 2000.<ref>{{Citation |date=11 January 2000 |title=Greenbrier to Acquire Adtranz Freight Wagon Division in Siegen, Germany |url= |publisher=PR Newswire}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |date=24 January 2000 |title=Greenbrier Completes Acquisition of Freight Wagon Division |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=52316 |website=|publisher=PR Newswire}}</ref> The overhead electrification systems installations business was sold to Balfour Beatty in late 2000 for €153 million.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=November 2000 |title=Balfour Beatty Buys Adtranz Division |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67316110.html |url-status=dead |journal=International Railway Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924162127/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67316110.html |archive-date=2015-09-24}}</ref> No buyer was found for the railway signalling division.<ref name="ech" />

The remaining assets of Adtranz were sold to Bombardier, in a $711 million deal announced in August 2000, a price considered to be low by industry analysts.{{refn|The price would be subject to the acquired company entering profitability in the following year – if not the sale price would be reduced.<ref name="sa1" />|group="note"}}<ref name="sa1">{{Cite journal |date=September 2000 |title=Bombardier gets Adtranz for a "bargain" |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65805853.html |url-status=dead |journal=Railway Age |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329112308/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65805853.html |archive-date=2015-03-29}}</ref><ref>"Bombardier agrees to buy Adtranz" ''Railway Gazette International'' September 2000 page 601</ref> The sale was cleared by the European Union in April 2001 on the condition that Bombardier would license or sell the Adtranz regional train and tram products to Stadler Rail in the German market, due to the large market share of Bombardier and Adtranz in the country. The deal would make Stadler a viable independent company providing competition to Bombardier.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Commission clears takeover of ADtranz by Bombardier, subject to commitments. |date=3 April 2001 |publisher=Europa (web portal) |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/01/501 |work=europa.eu}}</ref> The takeover came into legal effect on 1 May 2001 with a final price of $725 million and ADtranz was folded into the Bombardier Transportation division.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2001 |title=Bombardier's Acquisition of Adtranz Now Completed |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures-ownership/6066861-1.html |website=www.allbusiness.com |publisher=Business Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2000 |title=DaimlerChrysler sells train division |url=http://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/866002.stm |website=cdnedge.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

Within months of the sale, Bombardier said that it was misled about the financial situation of Adtranz. Bombardier sued DaimlerChrysler for providing misleading financial information. The companies settled in September 2004 with DaimlerChrysler agreeing to refund $209 million, making the final sale price for Adtranz just $516 million.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=March 2002 |title=Bombardier to sue DaimlerChrysler |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84183085.html |url-status=dead |journal=International Railway Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329112307/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-84183085.html |archive-date=2015-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2002 |title=Industry giants in legal battle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1819797.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 September 2004 |title=Bombardier Reaches a Settlement Agreement With DaimlerChrysler |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/legal-services-litigation/5225547-1.html |website=www.allbusiness.com |publisher=Business Wire}}</ref>

=== Brand === [[File:SEPTA-MFL-TrainPlaque2007.jpg|thumb |Nameplate of a SEPTA car showing the ''Adtranz'' company logo in the center]] The brand ''Adtranz'' was created by Landor Associates as part of the corporate identity of '''''A'''BB '''D'''aimler Ben'''z''' '''Tran'''sportation''.<ref name="bran1">{{Cite web |title=Register number: 39745229 |url=http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/397452292/DE |website=register.dmpa.de |publisher=Deutsches Patent- und Musteramt (DPMA)}}</ref><ref name="landor" /> It is an acronym derived from selected letters of the complete name of the first company using it: ''A''BB ''D''aimler-Benz ''Trans''portation, with a ''z'' in place of an ''s'' at the end for the name to imply a complete product platform from A to Z.<ref name="landor">{{Cite web |date=April 1996 |title=ADtranz — Neue Corporate Identity und Namensentwicklung für ein führendes Bahntechnik-Unternehmen |url=http://www.landor.com/pdfs/cases/Case5058-A4.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713183812/http://www.landor.com/pdfs/cases/Case5058-A4.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-13 |website=www.landor.com |publisher=Landor |language=de}}</ref> It was capitalised by the companies with a capital ''D'' as ''ADtranz'', following the standard English text formatting and capitalisation rules it is spelled with a small ''d'' as ''Adtranz''. Above the text ''ADtranz'', the company logo included a green dot, symbolising a signal set on green, as well as the environmental friendliness of railways.<ref name="landor" /> The company also registered the slogan ''ADtranz – we speak railways''.<ref name="bran2">{{Cite web |title=Register number: 39649590 |url=http://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/396495907/DE |website=register.dmpa.de |publisher=Deutsches Patent- und Musteramt (DPMA)}}</ref> Rights on the brand and slogan were deleted in 2008 and 2007 respectively.<ref name="bran1" /><ref name="bran2" />

== Products == [[File:20080513-IC50-Thessaloniki-220019.jpg|thumb | Adtranz DE2000 locomotive for Hellenic Railways Organization]] ;Locomotives * E464 electric locomotive * Norges Statsbaner El 18 locomotive * Indian Railways WAP-5 (with Chittaranjan Locomotive Works) * DE2000 for Hellenic Railways Organisation, designated as OSE Class 220 (formerly designated as OSE A 471-496) * DB Class 101

;Subway rail vehicles * M4 subway/elevated cars for SEPTA Market–Frankford Line, in Philadelphia * Propulsion Systems for the New York City Subway R110A subway cars * Propulsion Systems for the New York City Subway R142A subway cars (until 2001) * Washington Metro 5000-series cars (with CAF) * Hong Kong MTR Lantau Airport Railway Train (with CAF) * DBAG Class 481 for Berlin S-Bahn * Bilbao Metro 550 series EMUs (with CAF) * Madrid Metro 2000B series metro cars (with CAF) * Madrid Metro 6000 series metro cars (with CAF, Alstom and Siemens) * Athens Metro Line 1 11th-generation metro cars (with Siemens and Hellenic Shipyards) * Stockholm Metro C20 * Shanghai Metro AC01 and AC02 (with Siemens) * Guangzhou Metro A1 metro cars (with Siemens) * Prague Metro Metro M1 (Prague) metro cars (with Siemens and ČKD)

;High speed trains * German ICE 2 high speed train * Swedish X 2000 high-speed train * Vy BM73 and Flytoget BM71 high-speed EMUs ;Passenger trains * Swedish Regina intercity electric multiple units * Adtranz-CAF Series 6000 trains (include MTR Adtranz-CAF EMU) * IC3 Flexliner * RegioSwinger tilting train * NSW TrainLink Endeavour and Xplorer railcars in Australia * Electrostar and Turbostars in the United Kingdom * Queensland Rail Suburban Multiple Units and Interurban Multiple Units, Australia. * CPTM 2000 series EMUs (with CAF and Alstom) * Renfe Class 447 commuter EMUs (with CAF, Alstom and Siemens)

;Trams * Eurotram * Flexity Outlook tram * Variotram * Incentro tram * ADtranz low floor trams; GT6N for Berlin, Augsburg, Frankfurt (Oder), Bremen, Nurnberg, Munich, Braunschweig, Takaoka, Okayama and Toyama ;Light rail passenger vehicles [[File:Kuala Lumpur Star LRT train (four-EMU).jpg|thumb|right|A former Kuala Lumpur Metro rolling stock of Adtranz-Walkers EMU]] * Manila LRT light rail vehicles Line 1 1100 class (with Hyundai Precision) * Ankara Metro Ankaray Light Metro Line A1 (with Siemens and AnsaldoBreda) * İzmir Metro Line 1 * Rapid KL first-generation 6-car trains for Ampang and Sri Petaling lines (1996–2016)

;Automated people movers * Innovia APM 100

== Facilities inherited on foundation == * Kalmar Verkstad (Sweden) * Strømmens Værksted (Norway) * ABB Tecnomasio in Vado Ligure (Italy) * Henschel-Werke * Dandenong rolling stock factory, Australia) * AEG Schienenfahrzeuge in Hennigsdorf (Germany) * Derby Litchurch Lane Works, England) * Sorefame (Portugal) * Westinghouse Transportation (Pittsburgh, PA, US) – via AEG acquisition 1988

== Notes == {{reflist|group="note"}}

== References == {{reflist|30em}}

=== Sources === {{refbegin}} * {{Cite web |date=18 October 1995 |title=Commission Decision of 18 October 1995 on the compatibility of a concentration with the common market and with the operation of the EEA Agreement in a proceeding pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (Case No IV/M.580 – ABB/Daimler-Benz) |url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m580_19951018_600_en.pdf |website=ec.europa.eu}} ** ''Note:'' only German text is considered legally authentic, see: ** {{Cite web |title=M.580 ABB/DAIMLER BENZ |url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=2_M_580 |website=ec.europa.eu}} * {{Cite web |title=DaimlerBenz Annual Report 1996 |url=http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364413_1996_Daimler_Benz_Annual_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221537/http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364413_1996_Daimler_Benz_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2011-01-23 |website=cms.daimler.com |publisher=DaimlerBenz AG}} * {{Cite web |title=DaimlerBenz Annual Report 1997 |url=http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364411_1997_Daimler_Benz_Annual_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221651/http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364411_1997_Daimler_Benz_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2011-01-23 |website=cms.daimler.com |publisher=DaimlerBenz AG}} * {{Cite web |title=DaimlerChrysler Annual Report 1998 |url=http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364408_1998_DaimlerChrysler_Annual_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221901/http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364408_1998_DaimlerChrysler_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2011-01-23 |website=cms.daimler.com |publisher=DaimlerChrysler}} * {{Cite web |title=DaimlerChrysler Annual Report 1999 |url=http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364405_1999_DaimlerChrysler_Annual_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221958/http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364405_1999_DaimlerChrysler_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2011-01-23 |website=cms.daimler.com |publisher=DaimlerChrysler}} * {{Cite web |title=DaimlerChrysler Annual Report 2000 |url=http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364403_2000_DaimlerChrysler_Annual_Report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708222045/http://www.cms.daimler.com/Projects/c2c/channel/documents/1364403_2000_DaimlerChrysler_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-08 |access-date=2011-01-23 |website=cms.daimler.com |publisher=DaimlerChrysler}} {{refend}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} ;Archive of Adranz homepage * {{Cite web |title=Welcome to Adtranz |url=http://www.adtranz.com/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961228235320/http://www.adtranz.com/index.htm |archive-date=28 December 1996}} {{Railway signalling}}

Category:Adtranz Category:ABB Category:DaimlerChrysler Category:Railway signalling manufacturers Category:2001 mergers and acquisitions