The Lexington passenger coach manufacturing factory, as well as first-of-its-kind locomotive and passenger coach overhauls facility, will be on a 200-acre site allowing for future facility expansion.
When it starts operations in 2024, it will incorporate some of the latest technologies found in Siemens’ Sacramento facility including robotic welding, 3D printing, and virtual reality welder training. In addition, when fully operational the facility will be carbon neutral, playing an important role in the firm’s sustainability commitments.
Siemens Mobility has been manufacturing in America for more than 40 years and Lexington will be its ninth manufacturing site. Lexington’s sister site will be the 60-acre, solar-powered, rolling stock facility in Sacramento, which has been manufacturing vehicles for more than 30 years and has delivered more than 3,000 locomotives, passenger coaches and Light Rail Vehicles.
Dr Roland Busch, CEO of Siemens, said, “Siemens has invested US$3bn in manufacturing expansions and M&A activities in the US over the past four years alone, including nearly US$400m to grow its US manufacturing footprint and over US$2.5bn in strategic US acquisitions. This latest facility will build rail technology to help transform the everyday for millions of passengers around the country, particularly as the country sees a resurgence in public transit and intercity travel.”
“Leading global companies like Siemens Mobility continue to choose North Carolina to build the next generation in innovative clean transportation,” added Governor Roy Cooper. “Thanks to our state’s skilled workforce, and the proven education and training systems that help people maintain and build those skills, North Carolina is the number one state for manufacturing.”