RSK Reinforces Rail Sector Strength With 1Stinrail Acquisition

RSK has further developed its rail sector presence with the acquisition of 1stinrail, an engineering business that delivers planned and reactive track repairs, renewals and installation services across the UK.

The company is an engineering partner of choice for Network Rail, Transport for London, Siemens, Northern Rail, West Midland Trains, Stadler, CBRE and multiple Tier 1 contractors such as VolkerFitzpatrick, AmcoGiffen and the Buckingham Group. Recent projects have included:

• AmcoGiffen – track removal and reinstatement to facilitate a bridge renewal at Boundary Road in Middlesborough during the Christmas blockade
• VolkerFitzpatrick – remodelling of Nexus depot track as part of a depot upgrade in Gosforth, Newcastle
• Network Rail – refurbishment of switches and crossings at Northallerton as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme
• Transport for London – tube track reconditioning between Baker Street and St John’s Wood platforms.

Established in 2007, the company works with a team of around 400, including personal track safety-trained staff, and has an annual turnover of £22 million.

Holders of a principal contractor licence, 1stinrail provides UK construction, maintenance and renewal services, including:

• construction of new sidings and light rail schemes
• technical services (survey, track monitoring and critical rail temperature (CRT) management)
• track renewal and reconditioning for both Network Rail and Transport for London (including deep tube sections)
• track repair and enhancement
• switch and crossing renewals and refurbishment
• depot track renewals
• track maintenance and patrolling
• slab track and pit road track construction
• track maintenance, patrolling and emergency response
• signalling maintenance and testing
• high accuracy track construction
• longitudinal way beam replacement
• lineside and track drainage
• under track crossing (UTX) installation
• minor civil engineering and building work.

1stinrail Managing Director Stephen Jackson, who will continue to lead the business, said:

“The acquisition of 1stinrail by the RSK Group is a significant step forwards in our original vision (set out when we originally established the business) to become one of the UK’s leading track contracting organisations. As part of this plan, it is essential that we provide our clients, when required, with a multidisciplinary end-to-end solution to their needs, as well as being able to assist them with expert advice and support across a much wider range of technical and operational requirements than just p-way.

“We are delighted to become a member of the RSK Group to both strengthen our current capabilities and be part of an established group of companies and personnel with a wealth of experience and capabilities in such sectors as design and engineering, environmental management, ground investigation and remediation, transport planning, civil engineering and building work. This will not only enhance our service offering to our existing clients but also enable us to grow and develop throughout the industry.”

RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said:

“This is an important acquisition of a business boasting a range of skilled professionals and an excellent reputation with its clients. 1stinrail makes a significant contribution to our ongoing strategy of expanding our presence and capability in the rail infrastructure sector. 1stinrail will enhance the RSK Group offering and range of skilled and complementary services to clients in the wider rail sector.”

“As RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy, it now comprises more than 175 companies, employing 11,000 people. The group’s annual turnover at the end of FY22 was £796 million. The acquisition adviser was Cortus Advisory Group.