On Tuesday 8 February, the Purchasing Division donned its bowler hat for a very British event.

An initiative of the British Consulate-General brought twenty British companies specialising in the rail industry to the SNCF Purchasing Division site in Lyon.

'Although benchmark procedures and canvassing are already an important part of SNCF purchasing practices, meetings like this enable us to meet foreign suppliers working in the very specific fields of rolling stock and infrastructure,' explained François Maurage, Executive Manager for National Strategies and Customers.
The day's agenda included plenary meetings to share knowledge and explain the SNCF's specific procedures, as well as face-to-face interviews with buyers to enable the companies to focus on the most competitive contracts.

The initiative proves the Purchasing Division's determination to develop on a European scale.