Wabtec Corp. signed a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire from members of the Faiveley family approximately 51% of Faiveley Transport S.A., a global provider of value-added, integrated systems and services for the railway industry with annual sales of about $1.2 billion.

On July 27, Wabtec announced that it had made an irrevocable offer to acquire these shares. Faiveley Transport has now completed required labor group consultations and the majority shareholders have accepted the Wabtec purchase offer.  

Wabtec has also entered into a definitive tender offer agreement with Faiveley Transport and a definitive shareholders agreement with the majority shareholders of Faiveley Transport. Closing of the transactions is subject to various customary conditions, including completion of remaining regulatory requirements. 

The strategic combination of Wabtec and Faiveley Transport will create one of the world’s largest public rail equipment companies, with revenues of about $4.5 billion and a presence in all key freight rail and passenger transit geographies worldwide. 

Wabtec Corp., with more than 13,000 employees in more than 20 countries and annual sales of about $3.3 billion, is a global provider of value-added, technology-based products and services for freight rail, passenger transit and other industrial segments.

The company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles, new switcher and commuter locomotives and provides aftermarket services.