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Rittal - as one of only 50 cooperation partners in Germany - entered a partnership with the Deutsche Bahn AG, represented by DB Kommunikationstechnik GmbH and DB Services GmbH. The aim of the partnership is to provide mutual support and to improve competitiveness in joint projects. Rittal is to provide the products required for industrial applications and IT network infrastructures, while the DB subsidiaries will be responsible for upstream and downstream tasks. Rittal's two new partners will ensure the configuration of the network enclosures and enclosures with servers and IT hardware, or with switchgear and control systems, for example.

"Customers expect intelligent and individual solutions in every sector", affirmed Michael Schmid, Chairman of the Management Board of DB Services. We expect to make use of innovative synergies and develop compelling strategies with a strong industrial partner, as a result of our value chain collaboration with Rittal. Combined expertise and optimum quality - the customers will ultimately be the winners of our reliable cooperation."

Service quality permanently ensured
The objective of the partnership is also to reduce process costs and to optimise procedures, as well as to improve competitiveness by offering turnkey solutions. At the customer's request, complete systems can be certified according to international standards thanks to the joint cooperation partner TÜV Hessen. The partners have their sights set on the companies of the DB Group (i.e. German railway companies), as well as logistics enterprises as potential common customers.

Udo Jacobasch, Head of Customer Management at DB Kommunikationstechnik GmbH, pointed out the benefits for joint customers: "For customers, complex industrial services from Rittal backed by modern IT systems and IT services mean permanently guaranteed quality. This represents an important success factor based on composite effects because it means that significant mutual cost and efficiency benefits can be derived. Our goal is to jointly develop and implement individual customer solutions."

Christoph Caselitz, Chief of Customer Operations at Rittal looks forward to the cooperation: "Rittal and Deutsche Bahn complement each other in many areas. The partnership therefore opens up many opportunities for both companies. Deutsche Bahn is also a strong partner for us internationally."

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Rittal GmbH & Co. KG

Rittal GmbH & Co. KG, which has its headquarters in Herborn, Germany, is one of the world's leading system suppliers for enclosures, power distribution, system climate control, IT infrastructure and software & services. Customers from all sectors of industry, from mechanical and plant engineering, as well as from the IT and telecoms market are making use of system solutions from Rittal.

Its broad product range also includes complete solutions for modular and energy-efficient data centres: from innovative security concepts for data systems (formerly known as Litcos) through to physical data and system security for IT infrastructures (formerly known as Lampertz). The leading software providers Eplan and Mind8 - Rittal subsidiaries - are supplementing the Rittal product portfolio with interdisciplinary engineering solutions.

Founded in 1961, Rittal is now active worldwide with 10 production sites, 63 subsidiaries and 40 agencies. With 10,000 employees worldwide, Rittal is the largest company of the proprietor-run Friedhelm Loh Group of Haiger, Germany. The entire group employs more than 11,000 people and expects to generate revenues of € 2.2 billion in 2011. Further information at www.rittal.com and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.

DB Kommunikationstechnik

DB Kommunikationstechnik is Germany's nationwide service provider for technical systems. Its services includes the planning, installation, maintenance, repair and dismantling of security technology, transaction machines, public information systems, information technology, and locking technology. The company also provides comprehensive services in the fields of copying, reprographics and printing, supplemented by information and warehouse logistics services. Further information at www.dbkt.de.

DB Services GmbH

DB Services provides professional infrastructural and technical facilities management, as well as vehicle-related and industrial services. Six regional "DB Services" companies based in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Leipzig ensure that services are provided nationwide. Around 10,300 qualified and customer-oriented staff are committed to competent and innovative service.
For further information on DB Services and its comprehensive range of services, go to www.deutschebahn.com/dbservices.