Siemens Mobility, a leading passenger rolling stock manufacturer, has broken ground on a $220 million advanced manufacturing and rail services facility in Lexington, North Carolina, which is expected to create more than 500 new jobs.
Marc Buncher, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America, said: “This is not just an investment in rail, but an investment in manufacturing, jobs, sustainability, digitalisation and the future of modern transportation.”
With the increased production capacity, Siemens Mobility will fulfill the growing demand for passenger rail in the USA. Thanks to the Biden Administration, North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation, and other congressional stakeholders, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is enabling American rail and transit operators to make necessary investments in infrastructure that will provide the rail networks for future generations.
Michael Cahill, Siemens Mobility North America Rolling Stock president, said: “Our new East Coast hometown will soon be a powerhouse when it comes to rail manufacturing. Complementing our operations in Sacramento, our bi-coastal facilities will work together to manufacture the latest rail technology.”
Latest technologiesAnnounced in March 2023, the passenger coach manufacturing factory, as well as a first-of-its-kind locomotive and passenger coach overhaul facility, will be on a 200-acre site allowing for future facility expansion. When it starts operations in 2024, it will incorporate some of the latest technologies found in the company’s Sacramento facility including robotic welding, 3-D printing, and virtual reality (VR) welder training. In addition, when fully operational the facility will be carbon neutral, playing an important role in the company’s sustainability commitments.
Michael Tyler, Siemens Mobility North America customer service president, said: “I am excited to expand our customer service operations to Lexington and for the opportunity to better serve our East Coast customers. At this facility we won’t only build and service trains, we will push the boundaries of innovation while combining the real and digital worlds.”
Siemens Mobility, which has been manufacturing in the USA for 40 years, currently has eight manufacturing facilities across the USA, employs 4,000 people and works with more than 2,000 suppliers across the USA. Lexington will be its ninth manufacturing site, with other facilities located in Alpharetta, Georgia; Louisville, Kentucky; Marion, Kentucky; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; New Castle, Delaware; Tualatin, Oregon; and two facilities in Sacramento, California.