BERLIN – Bombardier Transportation has opened a new test center at its Bautzen site, in the presence of Saxony’s Minister-President, Michael Kretschmer. Among the numerous guests were Stéphane Dion, the Canadian ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Michael Güntner, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Alexander Ahrens, the mayor of Bautzen and Marko Schiemann, Saxony State Parliament Representative.
Bombardier has invested more than 16 million euros in the new test center with most of the related construction work being performed by local companies – from Saxony for Saxony.
“With the digital final assembly hall opened last year and the test center presented today, our site here in Bautzen is now equipped for the future with the latest modern innovative production and testing technologies. The site has a solid workload and is taking on a pioneering role at Bombardier Transportation as a competence center for the serial production of regional and long-distance trains as well as trams and metros,” said Michael Fohrer, Chairman of the German Management Board of Bombardier Transportation.
At the highly modern test center, approximately 50 employees can work in three shifts. Three different vehicle types of up to 120 meters in length can be tested simultaneously. What’s new is that the individual cars are being tested before the train is assembled and, finally, subjected to in-depth testing. This not only enables faster testing but also more flexible testing which increases capacity to 600 cars per year. With the consistent use of digital technologies, all data is digitally linked to optimizing production, testing and all processes from logistics to quality management.
Around 3,500 cubic meters of concrete and 650 tons of steel were used for the 6,590 square meter building. Additionally, 50 kilometers of electrical wiring were laid and more than 900 lamps were installed. The high-tech center also includes a waterproof testing system, which automatically adapts to the shape of the car body, and a corner load measurement with a combined four-axle wheel load scale, a test track for test runs and a separate customer acceptance hall.
Around 30 million euros was invested to upgrade the Bautzen site for digital Industry 4.0 production and manufacturing standardization. This created a central serial production site with a high production capacity. The largest investments include a new production hall and a test center. Bombardier employs around 1100 people in Bautzen.
About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is a global mobility solution provider leading the way with the rail industry’s broadest portfolio. It covers the full spectrum of solutions, ranging from trains to sub-systems and signaling to complete turnkey transport systems, e-mobility technology, and data-driven maintenance services. Combining technology and performance with empathy, Bombardier Transportation continuously breaks new ground in sustainable mobility by providing integrated solutions that create substantial benefits for operators, passengers, and the environment. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Bombardier Transportation employs around 40,650 people and its products and services operate in over 60 countries.
About Bombardier
With over 68,000 employees, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability, and safety.
