Altro is about to complete 2 separate contracts that between them will have laid Altro safety flooring in every metropolitan train carriage in Melbourne.

In the mid 90's, the Victorian State Government split the metropolitan passenger network into 2 halves prior to privatising them. As part of the privatisation agreement, the new owners needed to refurbish the fleets.

Contracts for the refurbishments were awarded to EDI Rail (M-Train) and Alstrom (Connex). ASF was able to convince these builders of the superior quality of Altro safety flooring, and consequently won both the 'supply and lay' flooring contracts, worth a total of almost A$3 mill.

Says Nigel Cocliff, GM - Manufacturing EDI Rail "When we won the rights to refurbish the former Bayside Trains fleet, it was decided to also use the opportunity to introduce new technology into the market. Our customer requested we seek more suitable products to resist the operational loads of a busy and expanding public transport system. One such product reviewed (and ultimately selected) was the Altro range of floor coverings."

He continues, "Altro floor coverings proved to be the lightest and strongest of all the compounds we tested. It also met specific toxicity standards required within the public transport market. The products ability to resist heavy traffic loads, vandalism and graffiti make it the ideal choice in applications of this nature. EDI Rail are now installing this product in other major projects throughout Australia and we are confident it will stand the test of time".

By March 2003, when the final roll will be laid, a total of around 43,000 m2 of Altro Tempo 2.0mm (Alstrom) and 2.5mm (EDI) will have been installed.