Stadler marked the 15th anniversary of its Szolnok carbody plant in Hungary with a significant milestone: the unveiling of the first aluminium double-decker carriage body produced in the country. The event, held on January 17, 2025, was attended by Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Stadler. The achievement underscores the factory’s growth and strategic importance in the region.
The unveiling comes as part of a EUR 45 million development initiative announced in 2023, aimed at modernizing the Szolnok facility. As part of this investment, Stadler plans to introduce friction stir welding (FSW) technology, which will enhance production sustainability by reducing raw material usage, energy consumption, and waste. This cutting-edge technology is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
“We are very proud of how our plant has developed over the last 15 years. Today, it is the largest carbody plant in the Stadler Group. Hungary is a strategic market for Stadler, and I am delighted that more and more Stadler trains are operating on the Hungarian rail network. This would not have been possible without the enormous commitment of our employees,” Peter Spuhler said.
Growth and impact of the Szolnok plant
Since its opening in 2009, the Szolnok facility has transformed into Stadler’s largest and most modern production site in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Initially designed to produce 200 carbodies per year with a workforce of 200 employees, the plant now boasts an expanded capacity to manufacture both single-deck and double-deck carbodies.
Over the past 15 years, the factory has produced 5,600 carbodies, with trains operating in 14 countries, including the US, Germany, and Spain. The facility has also become a significant contributor to Hungary’s economy, creating 170 additional jobs through recent investments.
Stadler in Hungary
Stadler trains are a prominent part of Hungary’s rail network, with 195 state-of-the-art vehicles in service. These include 143 FLIRT trains, 40 KISS units, and 12 Citylink tram-trains operated by MAV and GYSEV. Together, these trains cover approximately 35 million kilometers annually, carrying half of MAV’s passengers.
The Szolnok-produced vehicles maintain a reliability rate exceeding 90%.
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