Olaf Kuijper of Locomotive Workshop Rotterdam (Siemens)

Fleetshield was called in to transform locomotives from the corporate identity of leasing company European Loc Lease to that of NS (Dutch Railways). Fleetshield carried out the stickering of the locomotives at the Locomotive Workshop Rotterdam (LWR). LWR director Olaf Kuijper was impressed. Not only of the quality of the work that was done, but also of the way Fleetshield operated within the chain.

Unburdening five parties

Five rail parties worked together to supply the Vectron locomotives in NS livery: client NS, leasing company ELL, locomotive builder Siemens, workshop LWR (50% owned by Siemens) and rail equipment protection specialist Fleetshield. Fleetshield coordinated the sticker process, relieving the other parties.

Locomotive pasting within a week

About the process, Olaf says: "After we washed the locomotives, Fleetshield took care of removing the old film and installing new film. For each locomotive, they often did this within a week. At the end of this process, we did the maintenance, so NS received freshly stickered locomotives that could last at least another 30,000 kilometres." According to Olaf, it was nice working together. "You notice Fleetshield's commitment. They know they are just one link in a long chain."

Picking up after working hours

A great example of that commitment, according to Olaf, is the way the Fleetshield crew packed up one day after working hours. "They knew how important it was to finish the work on time. After all, we could not continue maintenance otherwise. That could result in a train running a day late. You don't want that." After a short breath, he continued, "For us, it is also nice if we can deliver locomotives on time. By doing so, we confirm our reputation as a reliable, skilled workshop."

Recommendation from Siemens

Fred Dissel, Business Unit Manager at Siemens Mobility and board member of Railforum, was one of the rail professionals who put LWR on the trail of Fleetshield. "I had seen how Fleetshield thematised trains, for example for NS. And with how much ease they expertly rebranded trains. Even applying complex designs proved no problem at all," he explains his recommendation. "You know from Fleetshield that they do their work correctly and they deliver what they promise: quality with a long lifespan. They also communicate openly and honestly and know the film solutions they work with inside out."

Contributing to the planning process

Olaf fully agrees. "What they deliver in a few days is real craftsmanship. You can see that in the details: how corners are finished, the virtually invisible seams, no creases. The film is really applied smooth and tight." Meanwhile, Olaf already recommended Fleetshield to other rail companies. "Because of the quality they deliver and the pleasant way they work together. And because everything went so smoothly with us. Not least because Fleetshield thinks along with us in terms of planning. If it looks like a locomotive will arrive too late, they change their planning. That's nice in the rail world, where the workshop is often the last priority."