By Martin Walker
Hitachi Rail Europe insists the company is here for the long-term – and is looking forward to embracing the local community in Newton Aycliffe.
That was the message from the company’s managing director, Keith Jordan, who delivered a hugely-positive speech at Thursday’s construction open day at the Xcel Centre.
Hitachi is investing £77m in a 42,700sqm state-of-the-art train-building facility on Aycliffe Business Park which is hoped will be completed by the end of 2014 – groundworks is expected to start this autumn.
More than 400 business leaders and potential contractors turned up for Thursday’s open day, when Mr Jordan revealed a number of interesting new facts about the project.
● Hitachi have already appointed a plant manager (Darren Cumner) for the Aycliffe site.
● The project will include a state-of-the-art research and development centre, in partnership with Durham University.
● Hitachi are already negotiating for other projects, with a long-term ambition to export to Europe as well as the original IEP programme.
Mr Jordan said: “Everything is still on track, it will happen, the only thing in doubt is when.
“We’re going to invest a lot of money and we’re here for the long-term.
“Hitachi head office fully backs the operation here to expand in the UK, their investment in the factory here is not an inconsiderable amount of money.
“Our long-term ambition is to be exporting into Europe. Obviously we need to concentrate on the UK market at the moment, hence IEP, but there are also some other projects that will keep the factory busy.
“This isn’t just about IEP, it’s about the future. The future of our business, and the future of the local community here.
The IEP commitment itself is a 30-year commitment to the UK, but we’re negotiating for other projects in Europe.
“We’re into round three of negotiations with a major European operator, we’re on the shortlist and we believe we have a very good chance of exporting into Europe.”
Mr Jordan also outlined Hitachi’s plans to establish a “centre of excellence” in what would be a state-of-the-art research and development lab, as well as “growing the local community”.
“We want to invest in the future and research what we should be doing and maintain a centre of excellence in our manufacturing operation,” he added.
“We hope to collaborate with lots of local industry, universities, schools etc… let’s grow the community together.”
See Mr Jordan’s speech at Thursday’s open day here
HITACHI THE ‘NEXT NISSAN’ FOR REGION