Last month, global mobility company Bombardier Transportation announced the launch of a major investment and hiring plan aimed at increasing the production capacity of its factory in Bruges, Belgium.

The modernisation of this plant and its increase in production capacity, will be funded by an investment of more than 6 million euros and also see the hiring of at least 180 more people to support the site’s increase in production.

Laurent Bouyer, president of Bombardier Transportation (France and Benelux), said: “This plan is for us, as much an industrial necessity as a belief about the future. Despite the Coronavirus crisis, Bombardier is committed to moving forward with an ambitious plan for the transformation and sustainability of the Bruges site.”

Michel Huyghe, who was appointed director and head of operations for the Bruges site on 1 January 2021, said: “Our order book is full. At the end of December, we received a new order for 204 M7 coaches for SNCB, which represents around 18 months of work for our Bruges factory. Therefore, it is important for us to invest massively in our production capacities and to develop our activities, for the benefit of the entire rail industry and the region.”

This modernisation plan will also support Bombardier’s suppliers. Direct investments in suppliers will enable them to be equipped with the tools required for this increase in production.

Bombardier generates an income of around 70 million euro each year for its Belgian suppliers, 80% of which are located in Flanders. The Bruges site covers 173,000m², offering scope for further expansion and development.

Bombardier is one of the most important employers in the city of Bruges and an estimated 1,000 indirect jobs are generated by Bombardier industrial activities in Belgium.