In August 2010 Al-Burhan Group signed a contract to supply five mobile Flush Butt Welding Machines to Iraqi Republic Railways (IRR) as part of their railway expansion programme. Al-Burhan Group in this project cooperates with US Progress Rail Services and their factories “Kershaw” and “Chemetron”, subsidiaries of Caterpillar INC. The Progress Rail Services confirms the first machine has been despatched to the US Port in waiting for another two machines before shipping the three as one batch to Umm Qasr Port, by 24 October, 2011. The finishing procedures for the remaining two machines are in progress.

In accordance with IRR specifications; the machine is designed to weld rails type UIC-60 for hundreds kilometres long. The machine Diesel engine manufactured by a well-known trademark is able to hold all operations (welding, cooling and cleaning of flush butt material). The machine has a driving cabinet equipped with the latest high-tech technology to provide high visibility for workers handling welding operations and ensure their safety as well as their high-end performance.

Aside from providing operation and maintenance manuals, Al-Burhan Group in partnership with Progress Rail Services, Kershaw is working on finalising the details of running a training course on how to operate and maintain the high-tech vehicles at Kershaw manufacturing facility in Alabama, US. The delegation will include (12) IRR workers as well as Al-Burhan coordinator to organise the logistics of the course. It is worth noting that the Kershaw facility not only produces the machines from scratch, but also has a learning centre specialised in instructing new clients on how to operate the machines.

The government of Iraq has great plans for a railway expansion programme so as to meet the growing needs of the population and national industrial sector. The delivery of these sophisticated machines will undoubtedly help in making the prospects of expanding and building new railways across Iraq achievable. By delivering these Mobile Flush Butt Welding Machines, Al-Burhan Group confirm its dynamic role in boosting industrial business in Iraq and adds a new event to its distinguished history as a company supplying heavy machinery and equipment to the Iraqi Government and its ministries.