Insider Media Limited

Engineering group Alstom, which employs about 5,000 people across the Midlands, has revealed that its order book rocketed to €5.5bn (£4.7bn) between October and December 2010. The Paris-headquartered group operates in Stafford, Rugby and Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

The company said the third quarter of 2010 produced its highest level of orders since the first quarter of 2009/10 on a comparable basis.

Alstom operates from 30 UK locations, with 5,000 of its 6,500 staff operating in the Midlands. The group specialises in engineering, service, research and development (R&D) and training operations for the power generation and rail transport infrastructure industries.

Having secured orders of more than €2.8bn and €1.6bn respectively, Alstom’s global power and transport sectors have recorded “marked increases” in results, said the company.

Patrick Kron, chief executive officer for Alstom said: "During the third quarter of 2010/11, on the back of solid demand in the emerging countries, Alstom achieved the best quarterly level of order intake since July 2009, delivering a book-to-bill ratio above one for the first time over the last two years.

“This commercial improvement should gain momentum in the fourth quarter, with order intake expected to show a new increase. Our strengthened presence in the fast growing markets, our leading technologies and our recognised service capabilities are strong assets for the group in its current competitive environment.”