Stadler strikes multi-million pound deal for Merseytravel train depot works

Investment in North West confirmed as Stadler gets £20M deal with BAM Nuttall for state-of-the-art train depot.

Stadler’s local subsidiary, Stadler Rail Service UK has signed the contract with BAM Nuttall to construct a state-of-the-art depot in Kirkdale and to refurbish to modern standards an existing depot at Birkenhead North.

The £20M deal with BAM Nuttall’s Warrington office is the first step for Stadler in building up its local supply chain in the UK.

Stadler has signed the contract, which involves manufacturing and maintaining the new fleet of 52 metro trains for the Liverpool City Region. The total value of the agreements, including the depot construction works, amount to £700M. The deal includes an option clause for an additional 6 units.

It is estimated that two thirds of the total contract value will be invested by Stadler into the UK and the economy of the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West.

Primary contractor, BAM Nutall, will use UK suppliers for the design and construction and sourcing of all materials domestically from the northern construction market.

Designed to drive the most efficient use of the new fleet by minimising the movement of stock within the depot, the Kirkdale facility will include washing and stabling facilities, a maintenance shed with run-through tracks, office space, and a simulator suite. There is also a potential for the depot to be extended for 80-metre long trainsets.

Jürg Gygax, Executive Vice President of Stadler responsible for the Service Division said: “Working closely with their Warrington office, this deal underlines our commitment to the UK – it will help the majority of the overall value of our contracts retained in the UK and the North West, both in the supply chain and in the employment of engineering staff. With the modern maintenance facilities these works will provide, Stadler will be able to maintain the fleet to the highest standards of reliability and customer presentation.”

Jenny Stewart, CEO of Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce said: “Just by being able to carry more people and faster, the new Merseyrail trains will be worth £70m a year to the local economy and will create 1000 jobs. However, these major depot works show there are significant benefits to the wider supply chain economy even before the trains arrive.

“The depots project will be one of the first recognisable elements of this multi-million pound new Merseyrail fleet programme becoming a reality. Trains that are innovative, safe and fit for the future will put us well on the way to a world class transport system.”

The depot works are due to be completed in 2019, in time for the arrival of new vehicles for testing.

Around 150 Merseyrail engineering staff will be brought into Stadler’s operations , bringing the number of Stadler employees in the UK to over 100 by 2019.

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