Alstom, the world leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has announced a major investment plan to meet the growing demand in the French and international rail market. This investment aims to increase production capacity, particularly for very high-speed trains, and to optimize the production processes of the new generation of trains. Alstom plans to invest over €150 million in total in its facilities in France.
Demand for Avelia Horizon Double-Decker High-Speed Train
Frédéric Wiscart, President of Alstom France, stated that the very high-speed train market is experiencing strong growth. Drawing particular attention to the increasing demand for the Avelia Horizon double-decker train, Wiscart stated that this train will play an important role in strengthening Alstom’s industrial base. Avelia Horizon stands out as a train platform that can reach speeds of 300 km/h, offers high performance and passenger comfort. In addition, thanks to its innovative design, it provides a 30% reduction in maintenance costs.
Details of the Investment Package in France
Alstom has announced that it will accelerate investments to increase production capacity at its French facilities. This investment package includes a €150 million investment in the company’s various factories in France. Part of the investment will go towards the establishment of a new production line for the assembly of Avelia Horizon trains at Alstom’s Valenciennes Petite-Forêt site. This new assembly line will be the first in the north of France and will make production processes more efficient.
New Assembly Lines and Digitalization Investments
At Alstom’s La Rochelle facility, it is planned to double the capacity of the body and assembly lines for the production of Avelia very high-speed trains. These new lines will accelerate the production of high-quality trains by utilizing advanced production techniques and Lean innovations. In addition, Alstom will continue to invest in digitalization and simulation. Projects such as the ‘TrainLab’ in La Rochelle will accelerate the testing processes of trains, allowing them to be launched on the market in a shorter time.
New Building and Industrial Capacity Increase
In preparation for the commercial launch of the Avelia Horizon trains, Alstom will construct a new building at its Belfort site. This building will be 250 metres long and will be used for the production of a complete train set. Alstom will also invest in robotics and advanced manufacturing processes at sites such as Petit Quevilly, Ornans, Tarbes and Le Creusot, where train components are produced.
Investing in Supply Chain and Human Resources
Alstom also aims to create more than 2.500 jobs for its French suppliers by investing in its supply chain. It also plans to increase employment in the region by hiring at least 2025 people at its facilities in France by 1.000. These investments aim to increase Alstom’s production capacity while also contributing to the local economy.
Features and Innovations of Avelia Horizon
Alstom’s Avelia Horizon trains are one of the most innovative double-decker high-speed trains on the market. The train is a model that can operate at a speed of 300 km/h, has a high seating capacity and offers high safety features. In addition, innovative optimizations made to the design of the Avelia Horizon reduce maintenance costs by 30%, ensuring a more efficient operation. This train continues to attract great interest not only in France but also in international markets.
This major investment by Alstom will consolidate its leadership in the very high-speed train market and create a strong industrial infrastructure to meet future mobility needs. This is an important milestone in terms of contributing to the local economy and gaining a competitive advantage in the global market.
