Nord - Pas de Calais is one of the few European regions which offer
so many major assets in terms of research surroundings, transport
activity and industrial know-how. Its automotive and rail vehicles
industry is significant, concentrated and diverse.
Nord-Pas de Calais is France second region in automotive industry.
The sector has a turnover of 9,3 billions euros and represents
over 52,000 jobs : it's the largest employer in our region.
In 2003, factories in the region produced 961 000 vehicles, or
25.2% of the French total.
Railroad industry employs over 7,000 people or 25 % of the
French total. They generate 30% of national production, manufacturing
most
of the more advanced rolling stock in France, including high-speed
trains (TGV), urban transport system (VAL), regional express
trains (TER), Channel shuttle trains and subway equipment.
Nord - Pas de Calais exports its expertise through all over
the world : subways in New York, in Singapore and Shanghai, TGV
high speed trains in Sydney, London, Glasgow, Beijing and locomotives
for Virgin Rail in UK.
Active academic and industrial collaboration have made Nord-Pas
de Calais region one of Europe's leading centers for research
and training in ground transportation.
In order to sustain its industrial activity, the Nord - Pas
de Calais region has structured its research activity on land
transport around the Regional Group For Research In Transport
(GRRT) since 1983.
Today GRRT federates more than 250 people in twenty laboratories,
themselves integrated into national and international networks.
Due to this kind of networking organization, regional research
and development has made tremendous progress over the last decade.
The high-tech equipment and recognized know-how of Nord - Pas
de Calais place it in a very good position among European technology
research centres in surface transport.
GRRT provides a networking and information platform for the
sector, taking advantage from its closeness to research organisations
and industry.
GRRT offers information, advice, networking opportunities and
laboratory facilities. It also helps investors from abroad to
plan and implement ground transportation business projects in
our
region. |
