The boss of Bombardier’s 海角视频 operations has said he believes that the firm’s train manufacturing site in Derby will be retained if a takeover deal by rival Alstom goes through.
Last month, it was announced that Bombardier Inc had agreed to sell its rail business, Bombardier Transportation, to the French firm for just over $8 billion.
Headquartered in Berlin, Bombardier Transportation’s 海角视频 train-making factory is in Derby where it is one of the city’s major employers with a workforce of around 2,000.
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The factory, which is in Litchurch Lane, also has an established chain of suppliers in the region.
The Alstom deal is not expected to be completed until the first half of 2021 and is subject to regulatory approval.
But the news has prompted the Unite union, which represents a number of Bombardier workers in the 海角视频, to seek assurances from Alstom about their future.
Now, Matt Byrne, 海角视频 president of Bombardier Transportation, has spoken out on what he believes the deal will mean for the Derby workforce, as well as other staff across the 海角视频, including the firm’s maintenance depots at Central Rivers, in Burton and Etches Park, in Derby.
Mr Byrne, who took over as president in October and has previously worked for Alstom, said: “The Alstom deal would see the firm invest in Bombardier Transportation’s key assets - and the Derby site is one of those key assets.
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“Alstom has a similar culture to Bombardier Transportation. There are many synergies between the two - and also qualities that are complementary.
“At present, Alstom does not have a facility like Litchurch Lane in the 海角视频. Also, we have a great product.
“I believe that Alstom will be keen to build on that, resulting in an exciting long-term future for the business in the 海角视频.
“Also, the combined strength of both companies will make us even more competitive - and the combined knowledge will help us to lead the way when it comes to developing future products.”
Bombardier’s Litchurch Lane is the largest train manufacturing site in the 海角视频. It not only has the capability to make trains but also to design, develop and test them.
It is where one of the firm’s most popular products - the Aventra - was conceived. That train has since gone on to win billions of pounds worth of orders.
At the present, the Derby site is busy. Towards the end of last year, it launched a recruitment drive to find an extra 400 workers to help it deliver trains for three key customers - Greater Anglia, South Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.
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Together with the existing workforce, they will help build around 1,100 new train carriages this year.
Mr Byrne said: “We have an extremely busy year ahead of us and it is important that we remain focused.
“I fully understand that any change of ownership can cause concern among the workforce - it’s human nature.
“But we are doing all we can to communicate to our staff the benefits that this deal could bring in terms of the long-term future of the company in the 海角视频.”
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Mr Byrne also said that the impending takeover does not change Bombardier’s approach in terms of vying for new contracts, including the £2.75 billion deal to build trains for HS2.
A joint venture involving Bombardier and Hitachi is among those bidding for the work. Among the rival bidders is Alstom.
Mr Byrne said: “We are still very much in competition with Alstom - and our other competitors - to win new work.
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“In terms of HS2, we are totally committed to our partnership with Hitachi, and we believe we have put forward a very competitive bid.”
Mr Byrne also added that despite the Alstom takeover, Bombardier was continuing to invest in its Derby site.
For example, this month work has started on expanding its test track facilities at Litchurch Lane, effectively putting in a second line, which will help increase capacity.