City Region on shortlist for Talgo train manufacturing plant
11 October 2018
Spanish train builder Talgo has announced that Leeds City Region is one of six UK locations shortlisted to become the home for a new 40,000sq metre manufacturing facility. The new factory would build new trains and could create 1,000 jobs.
Reacting to the news, Combined Authority member and Leeds City Council Leader Cllr Judith Blake said: "Over the last 18 months we have been working closely with Talgo to help make this significant opportunity a reality.
"We believe we have a unique fit with Talgo which is supported by our HS2 Growth Strategy.
"Our rail research capability in Leeds City Region includes the Institute for High Speed Rail at the University of Leeds and the Institute for Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield.
"In addition, Leeds is a HS2 destination city at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse and has been selected as a location for the HS2 rail supply depot.
"Together with a manufacturing skills base of 144,200 people and an extensive supply chain we are confident our offer is compelling."
True manufacturing
Talgo says it aims to enter the UK train market, through true manufacturing, sourcing components from within the United Kingdom rather than assembling kits of parts from overseas, an approach that will grow the UK's manufacturing capability, strengthen supply chains, create more jobs, and boost local economies. The company is a leading, specialised rolling stock engineering company mainly focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing technologically differentiated, fast, lightweight trains with industrial presence in 28 countries. These include Spain, Germany, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The company is renowned worldwide for its innovation capacity, its unique technology and reliability.
Talgo is also constructing the new AVRIL trains for national Spanish operator RENFE.
Materials and expertise
Carlos de Palacio - President of Talgo said: "The establishment of a manufacturing facility in the UK is a significant part of Talgo's future strategy.
"Talgo's aim is to establish true manufacturing rather than assembling from parts made elsewhere. This means that we will draw from materials and expertise across the UK.
"This keeps more money in the UK economy, and creates more skilled long-term jobs.
"Although there can only be one factory site, we have developed excellent relationships with all the countries, regions and areas that we have visited. We anticipate continuing these relationships to ensure that Talgo provides great opportunities across the UK."
A final decision on a factory site is anticipated in November 2018.