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The Railway Industry Association is the Trade Association for UK-based suppliers of equipment and services to the world-wide industry. It has more than 130 member companies, active across the whole range of railway supply. That range is exceptionally diverse and includes many skills and resources which were previously part of the national railway undertaking but which now operate commercially in the private sector.

RIA members represent the greater part of the UK railway supply industry by turnover. Most large firms are members, as well as a wide range of smaller companies
RIA provides its members with extensive services, including:

provision of technical, commercial and political information every week
representation of the supply industry's interests to Government, Railtrack and others
providing opportunities for dialogue and networking between members, including a number of Special Interest Groups
export promotional activity, through briefings, visits overseas, hosting inwards visits
and organising UK presence at exhibitions overseas.
RIA operates from a Central London location. Management is undertaken by the Director General, Mr Jeremy Candfield, and his staff. Strategic issues are governed by a Council, formed of senior representatives from across the membership. Individual member companies are regularly asked for their views on current issues, either directly or through the Special Interest Groups.

RIA was a founder member of the Railway Forum, the organisation representing the whole of the UK railway industry, and plays an active part in its affairs. RIA is also an active member of UNIFE, the trade association for the European railway supply industry, and of the Confederation of British Industry.

RIA also organises British industry's participation in the development of national and international technical standards for railway equipment.