Siemens Mobility has announced a EUR 115 million investment in a new Chippenham state-of-the-art factory for rail infrastructure manufacturing, digital engineering and research & development (R&D) centre.
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, totaling 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. 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,” Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer said.
The Chippenham state-of-the-art factory, 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. The current Siemens Mobility factory in Chippenham has a rich history, dating back to its establishment by signaling contractor Evans O’Donnell in 1897. 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 signalling, or being at the forefront of delivering the first centralized traffic control systems in the UK.
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