This investment highlights the commitment to innovation, sustainability, excellence, and meeting the growing demand for rail infrastructure in Britain and worldwide.
The new facility, set to replace the existing factory in 2026, will be vital for Siemens Mobility’s future projects in rail technology, providing an efficient site to build the next generation of conventional and digital rail signaling and control systems for Britain. The transition, including the transfer of all local staff, totalling approximately 800, will not cause any interruption in production.
“This new commitment from Siemens is a big boost for Britain’s world-class manufacturing sector and shows our plan for the UK to be the best place to invest and grow a business is working,” says Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer. “This digital technology will improve the safety, reliability and connectivity of our railways and drive sustainable opportunities in higher-paid jobs and exports – as part of our plan to grow our economy.”
“Siemens Mobility has been transforming rail, travel, and transport in Britain for over a century. We are pioneers in digital signaling technology, provide leading service solutions and every fourth passenger train in the UK is from Siemens Mobility. Our dedicated team of 5,500 UK employees is committed to delivering top-quality transportation solutions, in Britain, for Britain”, said Karl Blaim, managing director and chief financial officer of Siemens Mobility.
“This new £100m investment underscores our unwavering commitment to Chippenham and the UK. It builds upon our significant investments in a state-of-the-art Train Manufacturing Facility and Rail Village in Goole, further solidifying our long-term commitment to the advancement of the UK’s rail industry.”
Siemens Mobility’s new Chippenham site, located south of Langley Park at SouthPoint Business Park, will feature an office built to the highest BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard. The production and warehouse areas will meet strict sustainability criteria, evaluated across various categories including energy, water, waste, health, well-being, or materials. This promotes structures that are more sustainable and beneficial for society and the environment.
The factory is being constructed with the latest standards for highly efficient production, while the offices are designed to provide a modern, welcoming work environment to enable better collaboration and innovation for the UK railway. The interior will be modelled to account for the ‘new normal’ with many open and collaboration and meeting spaces, better facilities, relaxation areas and improved technology. The site, designed to blend in with its surroundings, will undergo an ecological assessment aiming for a 10% net increase in biodiversity through the planting of native plants and the creation of wildlife habitats.
Siemens Mobility’s Chippenham factory has been a hub of innovation for over a century, pushing the boundaries of rail technology and making a lasting impact on projects globally. Key innovations include digital signaling technology for the Elizabeth, Victoria, and Central lines, computer-based interlockings for the East Coast Digital Programme, modular technology for improved connections on the North Wales Coast, development of relays for railway signaling, or being at the forefront of delivering the first centralized traffic control systems in the UK. These innovations have resulted in significant industry cost reductions, improved safety, and enhanced efficiency.
The current Siemens Mobility factory in Chippenham has a rich history, dating back to its establishment by signalling contractor Evans O’Donnell in 1897. Over the years, it underwent various transitions, including being acquired by the Westinghouse Brake & Signalilng Company, before becoming part of Siemens global network of rail infrastructure production facilities in 2013. Siemens Mobility, a global leader in intelligent transport solutions, has been at the forefront of rail technology for over 175 years.