Belden has been granted full membership by the Association of the European Rail Industry UNIFE (Union des Industries Ferroviaires Européennes), which represents over 90 manufacturers of trains, control technology, safety equipment and infrastructure. The membership covers Belden’s complete product range and all its product brands (including Hirschmann™ and Lumberg Automation™).

Among UNIFE’s initiatives is the International Railway Industry Standard, (IRIS). Last year, all Industrial Ethernet and automation products of Hirschmann™ were certified for compliance with this standard. "Full membership in UNIFE has made us part of the European rail industry," explains Michael Abel, Vertical Market Manager Transportation at Belden, who noted that the company is now in a position to recognize trends early on and play an active role in the creation of new standards right from the start. "Our goal is to offer complete solutions that combine products from the fields of network technology and connecting technology, optimally, to meet the specific requirements of the rail industry, and create genuine added value for our customers."