West Midlands-based TotalKare (www.totalkare.co.uk), a provider of heavy-duty vehicle lifting solutions, is looking to take its expertise into the rail sector after signing a deal with Italy-based manufacturer Emanuel.

Available with a range of lifting capacities up to 50,000kg, TotalKare’s mobile column lifts conform to Machine Directive 2006/42/CE and European standard EN1493.

Easily customised, they can be used to lift any rolling stock — from wagons and carriages through to complete trains — providing a safe, flexible and comfortable position for operatives to carry out maintenance, repairs and servicing.

Managing director David Hall said: “We have been working with Emanuel for five years, supplying its heavy-duty four-post lifts into the bus and coach and commercial-vehicle sectors.

"Following a number of conversations, we saw the opportunity to take its manufacturing expertise into the rail sector, where they have similar requirements to provide a safe and fast means of keeping rolling stock operational.”

TotalKare’s partnership with Emanuel will be showcased at Railtex (16-18 May at the NEC on Stand L81), where visitors will be able to see a range of mobile column lifts on display.

Emanuel sales manager Alberto Manzini said: “The UK rail sector is strategically important for our business, so the decision to take our existing partner-ship with TotalKare and move it aggressively into this market makes perfect sense.

“We believe we have a range of products that are in demand and can be easily customised to meet the unique needs of train operators world-wide.”