Hitachi Plant Opens In Newton Aycliffe

Hitachi Rail has opened the new manufacturing site in Newton Aycliffe this afternoon.

It's the official opening of the £82m Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility in County Durham. The facility is where the Government’s new InterCity Express (IEP) trains for the East Coast Main Line and Great Western Main Line, and AT200 commuter trains for Scotland, will be manufactured. Hitachi Ltd Chairman and CEO, Hiroaki Nakanishi, welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP and Rail Minister Claire Perry MP, along with over 500 invited guests, to the opening ceremony and for guided tours of the state-of-the-art rail vehicle manufacturing facility. Invited guests also witnessed the unveiling of the first fully fitted-out IEP train to arrive in the UK. Welcoming the opening, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This massive investment from Hitachi shows confidence in the strength of Britain’s growing economy. This new train facility will not only provide good jobs for working people but will build the next generation of intercity trains, improving travel for commuters and families, as well as strengthening the infrastructure we need to help the UK grow.” Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “Today we see a major boost for the UK with Hitachi investing millions in returning train manufacturing to the North East. This state of the art facility will grow and secure jobs for decades to come and will help us to build the Northern Powerhouse, while at the same time revitalising one of our oldest industries in the region within which this tradition is synonymous.” The day began with the ceremonial sealing of a time capsule with aerial acrobatics. The time capsule included a small model of Hitachi’s Class 800/801 IEP train, digital photos of trains painted by local school children, a map of Newton Aycliffe, profile of site architect Masayuki Ninomiya and a mobile phone with photos and videos. Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe, Karen Boswell, said: “Newton Aycliffe will be the engine room driving Hitachi Rail’s future growth across the UK and into Europe, and I’m incredibly proud to lead a company committed to making the North East a rail manufacturing centre of excellence once again.”