Siemens AG’s Siemens Mobility is building a new assembly plant for passenger-rail rolling stock in Lexington, N.C., to “fulfill the growing demand for passenger rail in America by producing some of the most innovative and sustainable passenger trains in the North American market.” The $220-million project will employ more than 500 people by 2028, with an average salary for the new positions projected to be $51,568.
Production will begin in 2024, according to Siemens.
Company and state officials emphasized that the new plant would take advantage of railroad upgrades and expansion programs to be subsidized by federal infrastructure spending programs.
The new plant will produce passenger coaches and overhaul locomotives and passenger coaches on a 200-acre site with room for future expansion. Among the manufacturing process there will be 3D printing, robotic welding, and Virtual Reality training for welding technicians.
According to Siemens, “when fully operational the facility will be carbon neutral, playing an important role in our sustainability commitments.”
“For more than 30 years, we’ve seen the U.S. market continue to grow as we have manufactured over 3,000 locomotives, passenger coaches, and light rail vehicles in the U.S.A. in partnership with our 2000 American suppliers, including more than 40 in North Carolina. We now look forward to expanding in North Carolina and on the East Coast and to continuing delivering sustainable rail in the USA,” stated Siemens Mobility CEO Michael Peter.
Siemens Mobility is due to receive a 12-year Job Development Investment Grant from North Carolina, with a total potential value of $5.63 million over that period, according to a statement by Governor Roy Cooper's office.
Siemens Mobility has eight U.S. manufacturing locations with 4,000 employees. It rolling-stock plant in Sacramento start up in 1984 and has delivered over 3,000 locomotives, passenger coaches, and light-rail vehicles to date.
