Alstom reinforces commitment to UK supply chain with over £720 million spend, and renewed focus on partnership and growth

Alstom also highlighted the scale and impact of its UK supply chain:

• Alstom is a leading buyer in the UK rail market, spending upwards of £720 million over the last year among almost 1,300 British businesses
• Thirty-three percent of Alstom’s spend during the last 12 months was with UK-based SMEs

• Almost 90% of spend over the last year was with British suppliers

• Around 80% of Alstom’s suppliers are based in the UK, with approximately half classed as SMEs

• Nearly 11,000 jobs are supported by Alstom across the country through its supply chain

• Meanwhile, during the last 12 months, around £100 million has been exported by UK suppliers to Alstom entities in 37 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico and the USA

Over 120 top British and Irish suppliers and customers of Alstom participated in the event at Pride Park Stadium, alongside government representatives and industry bodies. Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK at Alstom welcomed delegates and gave an overview of the company’s portfolio and global position as the world’s only pure rail leader. 

Following this, Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, offered an outline of potential supplier opportunities with the organisation over the next 12 months across its 37 sites in the UK and Ireland. Meanwhile, Olivier Quindos, Procurement Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, set out the procurement vision: reaffirming trusted partner status, driving growth and innovation through strategic sourcing and supplier collaboration, and ensuring a resilient and agile supply chain.

“We are proud that the vast majority of our spend for our UK operations is with British businesses, supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic value across the regions. As we look ahead, our focus is on deepening these relationships – working more strategically with our suppliers to improve competitiveness, reduce time to market and deliver greater certainty through models such as long-term agreements,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK at Alstom.

He added: “Ultimately, delivering the next generation of sustainable mobility in the UK and beyond depends on a strong, innovative and aligned supply chain. By working together, we can unlock shared growth, create lasting social value, and ensure the rail sector continues to play a vital role in supporting communities and economic development across the country.”

Those present at the event also heard panels led by Elaine Clark OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the Rail Forum, and Noel Travers, Chairman at the Railway Industry Association respectively. Elaine discussed with a range of suppliers about the challenges and opportunities of working in the rail sector, while Noel hosted operators to give an insight of social value, and what they expect from Alstom – and its supply chain – as a customer. 

The day concluded with a ‘meet the buyer’ session: a structured business networking opportunity that directly connected Alstom’s supply chain with the company’s procurement decision-makers.

UK and Ireland Supplier CSR Awards 2026

Another key highlight of the event was the annual UK and Ireland Supplier Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards ceremony. Nine awards were handed out to recognise both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large companies who are delivering products and services to Alstom while also improving health and wellbeing, kickstarting economic growth, helping fight climate change and driving equal opportunity – in alignment with the UK Government’s Social Value Model. 

Suppliers recognised by Alstom demonstrated impact across a wide range of social value priorities, from forward-thinking apprenticeship programmes to improving colleagues’ health and closing a gender pay gap to science-based solutions that help fight climate change. More than 100 nominations were received from across Alstom’s UK and Ireland supply chain.

Keighley-based Kadel Engineering was one such winner, being awarded the Fight Climate Change (SME) accolade for their efforts in reducing carbon across their operations. Initiatives adopted by Kadel Engineering include replacing all their fluorescent lights with LEDs and installing a more energy-efficient air compressor.

“What a great honour for such a small company like Kadel Engineering to be recognised with an award. It was an extremely proud moment for us and lovely to feel appreciated. The changes we made to fight climate change may seem small but if everyone made little changes towards this goal, it would make a big difference to the future of our planet. We are proud to be an Alstom supplier and look forward to continuing our CSR journey with them,” said Paul Rollins, Managing Director at Kadel Engineering.

He added: “I thoroughly enjoyed Alstom’s Supplier Day. Hearing the various speakers was enlightening; Alstom is visibly putting a lot of effort into their own CSR, which is fantastic to see. Furthermore, it was inspiring to talk to other suppliers like ourselves, and learn from their experiences with their business ideas and their own CSR journey.”

The UK and Ireland Supplier CSR Awards 2026 winners are listed below:

Kickstart Economic Growth (SME)   

• Turbo Power Systems*          

Turbo Power Systems have expanded their apprenticeship programme and closely track their UK and Ireland spending, which is notably high.

• Quest Electrical*

Quest Electrical has significantly increased apprenticeship numbers since 2023 and offer training up to Level 4, making this growth a key differentiator.

Kickstart Economic Growth (Large)

• Telent

Telent has a strong apprenticeship programme, supported by a dedicated early careers team, with opportunities from Levels 2 to 7. They also assess their supply chain’s economic impact and have adopted a Buy Social strategy focused on supporting local communities.

Improve Health and Wellbeing (SME)            

• Dellner Glass Solutions                        

The judges noted that Dellner Glass Solutions demonstrated good evidence of health and wellbeing programmes, both internally and through external bodies. They are holders of the Better Health at Work award.

Improve Health and Wellbeing (Large)

• Rullion

Rullion place a strong focus on prevention of work-related ill health through a robust risk management process. They understand the limitations of wellbeing campaigns if the culture of the organisation isn’t supportive. Evidence submitted was extremely comprehensive with links to the 2026 Alstom-hosted Inspire session.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (SME)             

• Olympus Global          

Olympus Global offers equal opportunity policies with strong diversity measurement that come with gender targets. They are a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. Their gender pay gap is monitored and reported with mentoring and progression programmes. They have targeted hiring programmes, employee resource groups (ERGs) and dedicated training in diversity, equity and inclusion (EDI).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Large)

• OCS Group

OCS Group has equal opportunity policies with objectives for representation. They monitor employee demographics and job applicants monthly, with a dedicated recruitment function targeting underrepresented talent. Alongside their own ERGs, they are a Disability Confident Employer, host supported internships and offer a guaranteed interview for suitably-qualified applicants. They reported a zero median gender pay gap in 2024/25, are notably family friendly and support the manifestation of faith at work.

Fight Climate Change (SME)              

• Kadel Engineering                    

They engaged with Alstom’s learning pathways last year and this year they have tried to implement best practice in raising awareness to staff and improving their site. As Alstom looks for long term partners, the company values the growth and change in mindset this supplier has shown as it aims to join the company on its decarbonisation journey.

Fight Climate Change (Large)

• HUBER+SUHNER 

This supplier has shown great maturity in not only looking at how they can have a more energy efficient site but they are also well on their way to evaluating the makeup of the products (raw materials) they provide. They have started changing their own supply chain to promote recyclability of their materials to help their customers reduce their carbon emissions and move away from a linear economy approach.

The Alstom UK and Ireland Supplier Day and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards 2026 took place on Wednesday 10 June at Pride Park Stadium in Derby, relatively close to the company’s historic Litchurch Lane Works. Alstom’s 150-year-old factory is the UK’s only facility capable of designing, engineering, manufacturing and testing trains from scratch for both domestic and export markets.

*The judges scored these suppliers equally, so two winners were announced in this category.

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