MUNICH, Germany — Siemens has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facility in Chippenham, marking a €115 million investment in the UK’s rail infrastructure. The opening was attended by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander. The new site at SouthPoint Business Park serves as a global center of excellence for signaling and control systems, replacing the historic neighboring facility. The transition to the new facility, including the transfer of all 800 local staff, was completed without any interruption in production. This milestone highlights the critical role of advanced digital technology in creating a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable railway.
“Siemens Mobility’s new rail technology centre is a real boost for Chippenham and a vote of confidence in Britain’s rail industry. The digital signaling produced on site will help our railways become more reliable and safer, whilst strengthening our skills base by supporting hundreds of local jobs and apprenticeships,” commented Heidi Alexander, UK Secretary of State for Transport.
“Our new Chippenham factory and innovation center is a testament to our deep roots and long-term commitment to the UK, and our belief in the talented workforce and innovation found here. For over a century, this town has been a powerhouse of rail engineering. With our €115 million investment, we are ensuring that Chippenham will lead the digital rail revolution into the future for decades to come. We are proud to provide the technology that transforms the everyday for millions of rail passengers, both here in the United Kingdom and worldwide,” said Michael Peter, President of Siemens Mobility.
The new Siemens facility marks the next chapter for a historic rail hub that dates back to 1897. Originally established by Evans O’Donnell and later the headquarters of the Westinghouse Brake & Signaling Company, Chippenham has been a global center of excellence for over a century, delivering critical technology for iconic projects like London’s Elizabeth, Victoria, and Central lines. This legacy of innovation is now being carried forward into a world-class, sustainable environment at SouthPoint Business Park. Built to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, the new site features energy-efficient offices and production areas designed to blend with their surroundings, including a 10% net increase in biodiversity through native planting. This modern, collaborative workspace enables Siemens to scale the production of advanced systems, such as computer-based interlockings and the European Train Control System (ETCS), ensuring that Chippenham remains at the heart of the UK’s digital rail revolution.
Primary-age children get the first look at the new rail factory
To celebrate the opening of the new facility, Siemens hosted a hands-on STEM lesson for local pupils, which was broadcast to more than 1,000 children nationwide. The session was delivered by British award-winning children’s presenter Maddie Moate.
The event reflects a growing national focus on employers introducing children to the world of work from primary school age onwards. Last year, Siemens UK&I welcomed 326 apprentices, graduates, and interns into the business, and through the National Training Academy for Rail, has trained more than 28,000 people
Last year, our education and skills activities reached more than 600,000 students, teachers and members of the community and supported over 2,800 schools across the country. Almost 13,000 people also took part in our virtual work experience offer, helping us reach young people from a much broader range of backgrounds.
Siemens Mobility in the United Kingdom
Siemens is a cornerstone of the UK’s transport sector, employing approximately 5,000 people nationwide. The opening of the new Chippenham factory and innovation center is part of a wider investment strategy in the United Kingdom, which includes the new €230 million rail village in Goole and a comprehensive network of maintenance depots. By combining over a century of local heritage with world-class digital innovation, Siemens Mobility remains a key partner in driving the UK’s industrial strategy and shaping a smarter, more sustainable future for the country’s infrastructure.
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