RIA grows its membership by 34% since 2017 – hits record 250 members this week

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has announced this week that its membership has grown by 34% since 2017 and has passed more than 250 member companies, reaching 254 at the end of January 2019.

The recent increase is in part due to RIA throwing open its doors to rail SMEs with less than £1million rail turnover, when it cut its annual membership fee in half, from £1750 to £875. Since then it has seen the supply chain joining up in record numbers, helping RIA become even more representative of the industry, and the national voice of the UK supply community.

Monica Barbosa, RIA’s Membership Engagement Manager, said: "It’s been amazing to welcome so many new members to the Railway Industry Association family, who are now benefiting from the extensive range of services we provide.

"From lobbying for a bigger and better rail supply sector, to networking opportunities, policy, technical and innovation services, and export promotion, there is something for everyone in RIA membership, whether you're a large multinational or SME just starting out in the industry.

"A big thank you to all our members who have made this milestone possible, and we look forward to many more years of working with them to help grow the rail supply industry".

Monica added:

“Now is the right time to join RIA. If your organisation’s rail turnover is less than £1m and you’re not a member already, you can join for £875 and attend our award-winning RIA Innovation Conference in Telford on 19-20 March. We hope potential joiners get in touch soon, to enjoy the benefits of membership and to help make RIA even more representative of the rail supply community in the months and years ahead.”

1. For companies interested in finding out more about RIA membership, contact Membership Engagement Manager Monica Barbosa at [email protected] or via phone, 0207 201 0777.
2. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. We promote and represent our members’ interests to policy makers, clients and other stakeholders in the UK and overseas. RIA has 250+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.