Siemens Mobility announces €115m investment for new rail infrastructure center in Chippenham, UK

Siemens Mobility is setting a remarkable precedent in the rail industry with a hefty €115 million investment to establish a state-of-the-art rail infrastructure manufacturing, digital engineering, and research & development (R&D) center in Chippenham, UK. This development is not just a testament to the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and excellence but also marks a significant stride towards meeting the escalating demand for rail infrastructure both in Britain and globally.

Scheduled to replace the existing factory by 2026, Siemens Mobility’s new facility is poised to become a cornerstone for future rail technology projects in the UK. It promises to provide a modern and efficient site for constructing the next generation of conventional and digital rail signaling and control systems, tailored for Britain’s rail infrastructure. Importantly, this transition, including the seamless transfer of approximately 800 local staff, is designed to ensure no interruption in production, underscoring Siemens Mobility’s commitment to its workforce and operational continuity.

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, lauded Siemens Mobility’s new commitment as a “big boost for Britain’s world-class manufacturing sector.” He emphasized the role of digital technology in enhancing the safety, reliability, and connectivity of the UK’s railways. Moreover, Hunt highlighted the investment’s alignment with the government’s economic growth plans, underscoring its potential to create sustainable opportunities in higher-paid jobs and exports.

Innovation on Track: Siemens Mobility to Establish State-of-the-Art Manufacturing and R&D Hub in the UK. Image courtesy of Siemens.

Karl Blaim, Managing Director and CFO of Siemens Mobility, reflected on the company’s century-long journey in transforming Britain’s rail, travel, and transport sectors. Blaim’s remarks underscored the company’s pioneering role in digital signaling technology and its substantial contribution to the UK’s rail infrastructure, highlighting that every fourth passenger train in the UK is a Siemens Mobility product. This new investment reaffirms Siemens Mobility’s long-standing commitment to the UK, building upon previous significant investments, including the state-of-the-art Train Manufacturing Facility and Rail Village in Goole.

The new site in Chippenham, located south of Langley Park at SouthPoint Business Park, is designed with sustainability at its core, meeting the highest BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards. It aims to foster a more sustainable, healthy, and productive environment, reflecting Siemens Mobility’s dedication to ecological responsibility. The production and warehouse areas will adhere to stringent sustainability criteria, enhancing energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. Furthermore, the site’s design, aimed at promoting biodiversity, integrates seamlessly with its natural surroundings, contributing positively to the local ecosystem.

Siemens Mobility’s Chippenham factory has long been a hub of innovation, significantly impacting global rail projects with key technological advancements in digital signaling, computer-based interlockings, and modular technology.

The company’s legacy in Chippenham dates back to its foundation by signaling contractor Evans O’Donnell in 1897, evolving through various transitions to become part of Siemens’ global network in 2013. As a leader in intelligent transport solutions for over 175 years, Siemens Mobility continues to drive forward the boundaries of rail technology.

Siemens Mobility’s €115 million investment in a new rail infrastructure manufacturing and R&D center in Chippenham, UK, is a landmark move that solidifies the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the rail industry. It not only strengthens the UK’s position in global rail infrastructure but also promises significant advancements in digital rail technology, underscoring Siemens Mobility’s role as a pioneer in the sector.