Over the next four years, Pars Nova-based Sumperk (Czech Republic) and a member of the Skoda Transportation group — is investing CZK 460 million (more than £15 million) in its production facility. The investment will target expanding the company’s production capacity by 35%.

Aleš Měrka, CEO of Pars Nova, said: “We have started with extending the test room and acceptance hall, which we plan to complete by the end of this year.

“We have started to comprehensively modernise operations in the main production hall and we will also be investing in a new ‘chassis and wheelhouse’ repair shop, with the aim of acquiring up to 17 new track stands and a new chassis repair line.”

The investments will also see the development of a new ‘Chassis Site’, which has already seen the installation of a new continuous chassis-washing machine. Next year will see the installation of a new wheel-set CNC lathe, a wheel-set press and a bearing assembly facility.

Separate paint shop and blasting facilities will be completed in 2022, followed by a full-scale production unit that will also undertake traction motor repairs, electronic repairs and the manufacture of spare parts.

Pars Nova has been established for more than 70 years and currently has around 700 employees.