Hitachi considers two sites in Yorkshire for manufacturing plant

08/05/2009

A delegation of senior executives from Hitachi Europe and Hitachi Europe Rail Group will visit Yorkshire and Humber on 8th May 2009 to view two sites in the local area, which have been short listed as possible locations for a UK manufacturing plant.

After the Agility Trains consortium, comprising of Hitachi, John Laing and Barclays Private Equity, was named as preferred bidder on the £7.5 billion Intercity Express Programme, Hitachi Rail Group announced its plans to invest to build a rolling stock manufacturing and assembly plant in the UK.

Sheffield International Rail Terminal and Gascoigne Wood, near Leeds are among five UK sites shortlisted for the plant. Two sites in the East Midlands and one in Gateshead are also being considered, with a final decision on the location of the plant set for the end of 2009.

Hitachi will initially take on 200 employees at the chosen site, with this number potentially rising to 500 depending on the extent of the IEP contract. Hitachi believes the manufacturing plant could provide a springboard for the company to bid for additional contracts in the UK and Europe, creating long-term job opportunities and economic growth for the region selected.

Sir Stephen Gomersall, Chief Executive Hitachi Europe, commented: “Our decision to build a UK manufacturing plant goes much deeper than our preferred bidder status on the IEP contract. It is in fact an integral part of our long-term strategy to compete for and win significant bids, not just in the UK, but throughout Europe.”

Hitachi already operates a manufacturing plant in the UK.

Following the visit Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward comments;
“It is great to see a company as respected as Hitachi taking the time to find out more about our region as they look for their new UK base, and their interest is testament to the enduring strength of Yorkshire and Humber’s investment potential.
“It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to showcase these two great sites at Sheffield Rail Terminal and Gascoigne Wood to Sir Stephen and his colleagues from Hitachi.  Both offer the location, supply chain and access to a highly skilled work force that this global leader will demand, and I hope that they have been impressed by what they have seen here today.”