Eurailmag - #15 - March 2007 - (Page 24)

Coatings GSDI: THE ULTIMATE WEAPON FOR FIGHTING VANDALISM GRAFFITI ON COACHES AND SCRATCHING ON GLASS SURFACES ARE THE MOST COMMON ACTS OF VANDALISM, AND THE MOST OBVIOUS, COMMITTED ON BOTH URBAN AND SUBURBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORKS. FACED WITH THESE GROWING PROBLEMS, OPERATORS HAVE TURNED TO NEW SOLUTIONS PROVIDED BY GSDI. Removing graffiti from all surfaces / Nettoyage de graffiti sur tout support S et up in 1993, GSDI initially specialized in treating glass with polyester adhesive coatings to shield them from attacks and provide thermal protection. And in 1996, the company designed the first anti-scratch coating approved by the RATP. “Then you simply remove the damaged coating and replace it,» he added. Following this success, GSDI has continued its innovative approach to tackling vandalism by providing targeted and efficient solutions. “In terms of technology, it is vital to always remain one step ahead so we can anticipate new types of degradation,” pointed out Jean-Marc Freneau, sales director and head of new product development at GSDI. The company’s working methods meet the needs of standard maintenance operations, and enable transport companies to use GSDI teams both discreetly and at suitable times. With its team of in-house trained, specialized technicians, GSDI operates 24/24, 7/7, in both France and Spain. French urban transport companies, operating in cities such as Bordeaux, Paris, Marseille and Toulouse, regularly use solutions provided by GSDI. Its Spanish subsidiary NTA, opened in 2000 and based in Barcelona, works across the whole of Spain’s rail network. GSDI has also provided protection and maintenance services in Milan (ATM urban network) and Brussels (STIB urban network). Always on the cutting edge, GSDI recently introduced two new methods for tackling vandalism – glass pane “surfacing”, i.e., sanding scratched glass with special disks; and removing graffiti from all surfaces (concrete, brick, stone, marble and plastic renderings) using biodegradable solvents. The latter, non-abrasive solutions can be used to treat a wider range of materials, are extremely effective, leave no traces (no shadowing) and don’t cause damage during or after treatment. “So we offer a full range of anti-vandalism services, as well as keeping abreast of new kinds of problems,» said Mr Coueffé “GSDI’s polyester coating is extremely tough, and its adhesive resin absorbs the impact of attacks so weapons used only scratch the coating,” explained Jacques Coueffé, managing director of GSDI. In 2006, it applied over 250,000 m2 of coatings. A market leader, GSDI has gained over 60% of the Metro, tram, RER and SNCF (Île-de-France suburbs and Corail TEOZ trains) market in France. Other Issue 15 EURAILmag Business & Technology http://www.gsdi.fr

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Eurailmag - #15 - March 2007

SOMMAIRE
NOTICE BOARD
COATINGS
NEWS
SERVICES
INFRASTRUCTURE
HIGH-SPEED LINES
TUNNELS
PEOPLE
ROLLING STOCK
WEBSITE DIRECTORY

Eurailmag - #15 - March 2007

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