Over 1000 companies attend Hitachi Rail IEP Open Day

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More than 1800 individuals representing over 1000 companies have attended the first Open Day event for Hitachi Rail Europe’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP) in the north east.

The Open Day featured representatives from Durham County Council, County Durham Development Company, Merchant Place Developments, Agility Trains and Hitachi Rail Europe publically speaking about the IEP for the first time since the Government gave the £4.5bn project the go-ahead in March.

As the majority partner in Agility Trains, Hitachi is to invest in a new manufacturing facility at Amazon Park, Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham, creating hundreds of jobs and contributing millions of pounds to the local economy.

Participants at the oversubscribed event were able to learn about the business opportunities available during the construction and fit out of the new factory, which will see a massive 460,000 sq ft train assembly facility built on a 31.5 acre site.

They also learnt about the future opportunities to supply components and services for the manufacture of Hitachi Rail Europe’s Super Express Train, which will replace the UK’s ageing fleet of diesel Intercity 125s.

Speakers from Hitachi Rail Europe at the event included CEO of Agility Trains, Alistair Dormer, who outlined the scope and process of the Intercity Express Programme and Keith Jordan, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe speaking about Hitachi’s plans in the region.

Geoff Hunton, Managing Director of Merchant Place Developments, Hitachi’s development partner for the site, outlined his company’s contractual procedure and procurement strategy for the new facility.

Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield and a strong advocate for the Newton Aycliffe site, gave a speech in which he welcomed Hitachi to the region.

Alistair Dormer, CEO of Agility Trains, said:

“It’s great to see so many local firms interested in supplying to Hitachi Rail at this early stage in the project’s development. The local community in the North East has been instrumental in making IEP a reality, and we intend to use suppliers from this region whenever possible.

“We are committed to the North East, the birth place of the steam train in the 19th century, and are proud to play a leading role in helping to re-establish its status as a centre of excellence for the railway industry in the UK in the 21st century.”

Durham County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Neil Foster said:

“The event has been a fantastic success and the range of local companies represented is testament to the sound network of supply we are able to offer Hitachi in County Durham and the wider area. I would like to thank Hitachi for choosing Newton Aycliffe and assure them we will continue to offer them our full support.”

Geoff Hunton, Technical Director of Merchant Place Developments, the organisation that will be responsible for the building of the factory, said:

“Initial design work is now at an advanced stage. It is fitting now that we engage with suppliers today to form a database of interested parties for issue in the fullness of time to contractors. The range of services required covers several key areas – site preparation, rail connection, construction, fit-out, completion/hand over, management and so on.”

Development at Amazon Park will start next year and when complete the facility will be the first new train manufacturing plant to be built in the UK for decades. Full scale production of the Super Express Train will begin at the Hitachi Rail facility in 2015, with the first trains delivered in 2016.

The Hitachi Super Express trains will be used on the East Coast Main Line and the London – South Wales Great Western Main Lines. The bi-mode (diesel – electric) train offers increased capacity, improved reliability and a reduced environmental impact on every train journey.

The Open Day was organised by County Durham Development Company on behalf of Hitachi Rail Europe, Durham County Council and Merchant Place Developments and took place near the future site of the new factory.

1 COMMENT

  1. It seems to be my understanding that the only contracts going out to tender to UK firms will be in respect of the design and construction of the factory, together with all associated civil engineering works. I am still not convinced that there are many (if any!) North East companies able to manufacture specialist parts for rolling stock – e.g. electrical/electronic components, bogies, pantographs, traction equipment etc. I can see 90% of components being imported from Hitachi’s factories in Japan and therefore, Newton Aycliffe will become a mere assembly plant – similar to the old Alstom facility at Washwood Heath!

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