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2012-02-19T03:45:00.001-08:00

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Bombardier has confirmed it is keeping open its Derby manufacturing plant and will continue to compete for tenders, including the £1bn Crossrail rolling stock contract.

This comes after 1,200 jobs were lost in a decision linked to the victory of its rival Siemens in the fight to win the Thameslink contract, placing the future of the plant in doubt.

In a statement, Paul Roberts, President, Services UK, and Chief Country Representative for Bombardier, said today: “We made the decision to retain our design, engineering and manufacturing capability at our Derby manufacturing plant and will continue to compete for tenders for train manufacturing in the UK. In addition, we have made several changes to the senior management team in the UK to provide stronger integration across all Bombardier’s operating divisions.

“Our UK Review considered several factors. The UK Government has signalled its strong commitment to rail with its National Infrastructure plans. Bombardier is keen to be part of this exciting programme of rail revitalisation.

“In December, Bombardier Transportation UK won a competitive tender contract with Southern valued at £188m for the manufacture of 130 Electrostars.

“The DfT announced that the first feasibility stage of procurement for the eVoyager Cross Country project was complete and Bombardier would be asked to submit more detailed information in Q1 2012.

“Production of the Southern vehicles will commence in Derby later this year, eVoyager will allow us to retain our high calibre engineering team and a worldwide centre of excellence for Bombardier in Derby, in order to bid for future opportunities.

“Crossrail is a very important project for Bombardier and we have been encouraged by Government comments regarding procurement process, in which we hope to see: Financing of the Crossrail project considered separately from the train selection; Consideration of technical suitability of the rolling stock; Socio-economic consideration in the value for money assessment for the taxpayer.

“Bombardier’s products are technically market leading and represent excellent value for money. This is why we have been successful throughout the world and why we have made the decision to remain a strong competitive centre for train design and manufacturing in the UK.”

A spokesman for the Derby & Derbyshire Rail Forum commented: “Bombardier’s decision to retain its train manufacturing facility in Derby comes as a huge relief to the region’s extensive supply chain, the employees of the business and their families.

“Whilst we welcome this news it is important that the company can bid for additional work to ensure that it has a future well beyond 2014. So we call upon the Department for Transport to look with renewed vigour at opportunities to provide much needed new rolling stock for Britain’s railways between now and placing the order for a new Crossrail fleet. And in particular we hope that the well-developed proposal to add electric vehicles to the Voyager fleet can be swiftly progressed.”