Siemens Mobility to invest £100 million in a brand-new manufacturing and R&D centre in Chippenham
Siemens has announced it is to invest £100 million in a centre of manufacturing excellence in Wiltshire.
The new cutting-edge facility will replace the company’s current Chippenham factory, from which generations of British workers have designed, manufactured and delivered signalling and control systems for the Elizabeth Line, North Wales Coast, Birmingham New Street and many others across the world since the 19th Century.
The new centre is expected to be operational by 2026, with around 800 skilled manufacturing, research, engineering and reporting roles transitioning to the new site and no interruption in production.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:
Joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, Rob Morris, said:
Siemens’ investment comes on the advent of one of the most significant modernisation programmes in two centuries of Britain’s railways, with digital rail systems set to better connect communities and make it easier for people to access a wider range of job opportunities.
The plans are also expected to be a boost for the local economy in Chippenham and the wider Wiltshire region, with Siemens Mobility working closely with local small and medium enterprises across the supply chain. As part of today’s investment, Siemens Mobility will continue to develop and code the digital signalling systems to transform rail travel on the East Coast Main Line.
British manufacturing is of great strategic importance for the country on the global stage. The sector makes up over 40% of all UK exports, employs around 2.6 million people and overtook France for output in 2021. To capitalise on this success, the government published its Advanced Manufacturing Plan last year to ensure the UK continues to lead in the development and deployment of digital manufacturing technologies.
This was published shortly after the Chancellor announced £4.5 billion of funding for strategic manufacturing sectors in the UK as part of his Autumn Statement, including £960 million earmarked for a Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support clean energy. It was announced today this is to be boosted by an up to further £120 million increase. This funding will be available from next year for five years, providing industry with longer term certainty about their investments in line with Prime Minister’s focus on making long-term decisions to grow the economy.
Mr Hunt also announced Full Expensing to support manufacturers in investing for less. As the biggest British business tax cut in history – made possible by the progress the government has made on the people’s economic priorities - this represents an effective corporate tax cut of £55 billion over the next five years and will help manufacturers invest in plant and machinery technologies. The Chancellor outlined at a Make UK event last week how this will benefit hard-working Brits and help to close the productivity gap with the likes of France and Germany – two economies which the UK has grown faster than since 2010.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
Siemens’ investment comes on the same day that the government announced over £360 million will be invested in advanced manufacturing and the life sciences, securing thousands of jobs and building a stronger economy including through the further investment it will help to leverage over the long-term through the private sector. The UK has attracted more new investment since 1997 than any other European nation, and last year’s Global Investment Summit confirmed over £29.5 billion of additional investment in Britain.
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