Global technology and innovation business Siemens are set to create 1,700 new jobs in a new rail factory development which will see them invest up to £200m. The proposed plans would see Siemens establish a factory on 67-acres of land within the East Yorkshire town of Goole, which would manufacture and commission trains.

The factory would employ around 700 people in skilled engineering and manufacturing roles, plus an additional 250 people during the construction phase. Around 1,700 indirect jobs are then expected to be created throughout the UK supply chain in a huge boost for employment and the regional economy. The news is another positive announcement on the back of the exciting HS2 development and continued investment in future skills.

The factory would be located off Junction 36 of the M62 motorway at the ‘Goole 36’ development site – which ensures easy access whilst housing enough space to include the buildings, warehouses, offices, stabling sidings and the potential of a test track.

Of the development Juergen Maier, Chief Executive at Siemens UK said: ”We’ve said for some time that future success for Siemens in the rail industry would see us opening a rail manufacturing plant here and this announcement provides additional substance to those words. Having considered multiple locations in the UK, I’m delighted to confirm that we’ve identified a site in Goole for our new UK rail factory which not only has the potential scale we need for a facility of this size but also ready access to the skilled people we’d need to build and operate the factory. This investment has the potential to have a tremendous impact on the Yorkshire economy and the North of England as a whole, ensuring that the benefits of infrastructure spending are spread widely and helping to ensure the ongoing development of the UK rail industry.

Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, added: “This exciting proposal by Siemens underlines the benefits of this government’s £13bn investment into improving and modernising Northern transport, providing major firms with the fast, reliable connections required to recruit a skilled workforce and deliver cutting-edge innovation.From delivering brand new and refurbished trains through the Great North Rail Project, our plans to upgrade the Transpennine Route to our investment in Yorkshire’s roads, we are driving forward job creation, economic growth and unlocking the potential of the Northern Powerhouse.”

Gordon Wakeford, managing director of the mobility division for Siemens in the UK, also commented: “We have been a major part of the UK rail industry for over 20 years and have already invested hundreds of millions in our facilities, our people and technology over the past five years alone. This proposed major new investment cements our company’s desire to further its presence in the UK’s rail market and underpins the ongoing importance of the market here to our rail business globally. We are looking forward to working with our UK industry partners and supply chain to bring this vision for the future to reality.”

 

The new facility will complement Siemens’ existing operations, comprising some 450 trains in service and eight purpose-built maintenance facilities, plus wider activities in electrification, signalling and train control technologies.

The HS2 Economic Growth Conference – which is set to be announced soon – will discuss how we make sure we set up to reap the commercial and economic rewards of HS2 and this is likely to be part of the discussion around how we develop the skilled workers of tomorrow and ensure we have the infrastructure and more in place to drive the growth regionally and nationally. For sponsorship or conference enquiries prior to the conference announcement contact keith.griffiths@www.built-environment-networking.com.