Alstom invests two-digit million Euros in further development of Stendal site

Alstom is investing more than 10 million in new facilities and technical equipment at Stendal site over the next few years. Of this amount, over 3 million comes from subsidies from the State of Saxony-Anhalt. In addition to a new production hall measuring 3,000 square metres, the money will be used for a modern bogie centre with a wheel set press. These measures strengthen the in-house manufacturing capabilities of the locomotive service site and allow for the start of manufacturing of a shunting locomotive platform called H3 which is developed on site.

Hartmut Möllring, Minister for Science and Economics of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, comments: These investments will ensure that the long-standing locomotive location in Stendal looks ahead to a successful future and continues to make history. After 140 years, we are now laying the foundation for an environmental friendly and innovative technological development that is unique in Europe to date.

After a successful joint venture of more than ten years, it was not until 2012 that we fully took over the location from Deutsche Bahn. Over the next three and a half years, we will create over 50 new jobs, says Dr. Martin Lange, as member of the German board responsible for Transport.

Our newly developed locomotive platform is based on a modern technology that can be used in a wide range of areas, particularly with its strong, fuel-efficient hybrid drive. This technology has already proven its value over many years of operational experience, says Klaus Hiller, Managing Director of Alstom Lokomotiven Service GmbH in Stendal.

The new hall guarantees the manufacturing area for the H3 platform and a maintenance of the service offering at the same time. In the future, it will be possible to manufacture 50 locomotives each year on site. Together with the bogie centre with a wheel set press, this will provide a state-of-the-art production infrastructure in Stendal until 2015. This will enable the location to supply the European market with new shunting locomotives as well as offering services for bogies and wheel sets of locomotives and trains.

Initial orders for the delivery of the new H3 series have already been received: VW has ordered three hybrid locomotives of the new type for its plant operations at the Wolfsburg location, with options for further vehicles. Deutsche Bahn will also begin using five new locomotives from this series in Franconia as early as 2015.

With the new wheel set press, the more than 200 bogies overhauled at the location each year can be processed 25% faster. This reduces the downtime for the locomotives and trains accordingly and represents a significant customer benefit. The capacity of overhauled bogies can also be increased by 100%. At the Stendal location, Alstom is also the market leader in heavy maintenance of V100 series locomotives as well as in all other general inspections tendered on the market with regard to locomotives with central drivers cabs.

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, taking in rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers turnkey solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.5 billion euros in the fiscal year 2012-2013. Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs near 27,500 people.

Press contact

Beatrix Fontius Tel: +49 621 329 2547 beatrix.fontius@power.alstom.com

Handover of subsidy commitment for Stendal site (from left to right): Carsten Wulfänger (Head of Stendal District Authority), Klaus Hiller (Managing Director ALSTOM Lokomotiven Service GmbH), Hartmut Möllring (Minister for Science and Economics), Dr. Martin Lange (Member of ALSTOM Deutschland AG Management Board), Klaus Schmorz (Major of Stendal)