Printed circuit board assemblies from Cambridgeshire are heading to South Africa as part of a rapid transit system being built to support the 2010 FIFA World Cup. St Ives-based Prism Electronics has supplied 400 PCBs to ERB South Africa which is manufacturing signalling equipment for the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project. Prism was selected to supply PCBs for the project because it is already a trusted supplier for other projects in the rail signalling sector.
Prism Electronics business development director, David Dickin, said: It is pleasing to see our trusted business relationships with customers paying dividends. Word of mouth is perhaps the most effective form of advertising and we are delighted to be working with ERB to help deliver this project.
The tested PCB assemblies are essential to the brains of the Gautrain rail control signalling equipment, comprising receivers (incorporating Prism assemblies) and transmitters fitted to rail track and rolling stock.
Prism states it is able to support discrete projects like this thanks to its flexible production processes that can accommodate timely production of modest quantities.
Originally conceived to ease traffic congestion in South Africas economic hub, Gautrain will link Pretoria in the north with Johannesburgs Park Station in the south of the corridor in Gauteng Province. There will also be a link to OR Tambo International Airport, which serves both Pretoria and Johannesburg. Stadia in both cities will be playing host to fixtures in the 2010 World Cup, so Gautrain will play an important part in getting soccer fans to and from the airport as well as between venues.