Siemens has announced it is to invest £100 million in a centre of manufacturing excellence in Wiltshire.
The new facility will replace the company’s current Chippenham factory, from which generations of British workers have designed, manufactured and delivered signalling and control systems for the Elizabeth Line, North Wales Coast, Birmingham New Street and many others across the world since the 19th Century.
The new centre is expected to be operational by 2026, with around 800 skilled manufacturing, research, engineering and reporting roles transitioning to the new site and no interruption in production.
“This €115 million investment is a strong commitment to Chippenham and our country,” said Rob Morris, joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland.
“Siemens Mobility’s Chippenham site, along with our 30 sites across the country, has been transforming rail, travel, and transport in Britain – and it will continue to do so with cloud-based rail technology connecting the real and the digital worlds, digitalising rail.
“We are very excited to soon start construction of one of the most sophisticated rail factories, digital engineering and R&D sites in the UK, supporting local jobs and skills for the future. There’s a piece of Britain in everything we build.”
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Siemens Mobility will continue to develop and code the digital signalling systems to transform rail travel on the East Coast Main Line.
The plans are expected to be a boost for the local economy in Chippenham and the wider Wiltshire region, with Siemens Mobility working closely with local small and medium enterprises across the supply chain.