Longannet and Hunterston shortlisted for Talgo factory
Potential for 1,000 manufacturing jobs in Scotland
TALGO today (10 October 2018) announced that two locations in Scotland have been shortlisted for a potential factory site that could employ up to a thousand people.
TALGO is a leading specialized 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.
TALGO is renowned worldwide for its innovation capacity, its unique technology and reliability.
TALGO is the rolling stock provider for the Haramain high speed railway line between La Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia and provider of the new AVRIL train to Spanish operator RENFE.
TALGO aims to enter the UK train market, through ‘true manufacturing’. Instead of assembling kits of parts from overseas, the company wants to source components from within the United Kingdom. This approach will grow the UK’s manufacturing capability, strengthen supply chains, create more jobs, and boost local economies.
The shortlist represents the latest phase in a search that has lasted eighteen months, crossed much of Britain, and seen very detailed discussions with land owners, development agencies, local authorities, research establishments, schools, colleges and universities.
There are four other shortlisted locations; one is in Wales and three are in England.
All locations share great connectivity, would receive a major boost from job creation, and have the
potential to supply people that can be skilled-up to meet the needs of building trains that can run at
up to 235mph.
TALGO intends not only to build for the UK market, but also to serve emerging overseas markets,
boosting UK exports.
Such is Talgo’s passion for a UK manufacturing facility, that Carlos de Palacio - President of Talgo
(and grandson of the founder) has undertaken many of the fact-finding missions that have resulted
in the shortlist. He 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 areas
that we have visited. We anticipate continuing these relationships to ensure that Talgo provides
opportunity across the UK."
Commenting on Talgo selecting Hunterston and Longannet as the potential sites for its new factory, Paul Lewis, managing director of Scottish Development International said:
“We’ve been working closely with public and private sector partners across Scotland over the last year to ensure that Talgo has access to the very best business environment for its factory and the right support to make it a success.
“With potential for significant new jobs and supply chain opportunities, we are delighted that both Hunterston and Longannet have been shortlisted and will continue working with all partners to help realise the economic opportunity Talgo’s investment represents.”
A final decision on a factory site is anticipated in November 2018.