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The recent investment by Stadler in Szolnok (central Hungary) is an important milestone for the Hungarian railway industry, and a significant step forward in terms of technology, infrastructure, and transport, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó.
At the inauguration ceremony of Stadler Szolnok Kft.’s new production hall on Friday, the minister welcomed the fact that the Swiss-owned company has increased its production capacity by 20 percent through a significant investment, and at the same time is now able to produce double-decker aluminum railway carriage bodies. In his speech, he pointed out that this was a significant milestone for the entire Hungarian railway industry from a technological, infrastructural, and transport point of view.
He noted that
Stadler, which has already invested some HUF 80 billion (EUR 190 million) in Hungary, has produced 5,600 carriages here
that are now used on railways in fourteen countries around the world, including the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany.
He underlined that they are also discussing bringing further developments to Szolnok- “investments that represent new technological innovations never seen before.”
The new production hall inaugurated in Szolnok covers some 4,300 square meters, and will be used to produce double-decker aluminum carriage bodies.
According to a press release by Stadler Trains Hungary Zrt., the railway vehicle manufacturer’s carriage body plant in Szolnok is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its foundation. To mark the occasion, the first double-decker aluminum carriage body made at the company’s Szolnok plant, the first of its kind in Hungary, was unveiled. The manufacturing was made possible by the EUR 45 million investment announced in September 2023.
Stadler’s double-decker aluminum carrier body unveiled at the event. Photo: MTI/Mészáros János
The press release said that the plant’s development will make production even more sustainable and competitive thanks to the introduction of a special welding technology (friction stir welding) that will reduce raw material and energy requirements, as well as waste and auxiliary materials. The plant will start using the new technology at the end of the year.
Stadler’s new production hall in Szolnok. MTI/Mészáros János
Stadler has been producing trains for over 80 years, and the group’s headquarters are in Bussnang, eastern Switzerland. Its product range includes high-speed rolling stock, intercity, regional, and suburban trains, metro trains, light rail vehicles, and trams in the high-speed and urban transport segments. Stadler also manufactures heavy rail and shunting locomotives, as well as carriages.
Stadler has three sites in Hungary: the domestic headquarters are in Budapest, the production site is in Szolnok, and the maintenance site is in Pusztaszabolcs (central Hungary). The Stadler Group has so far invested €200 million in the Szolnok plant, the company said. The latest improvements will create 170 jobs in Szolnok
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Mészáros János