SWITZERLAND: A groundbreaking ceremony launched construction of Stadler’s new assembly plant at St Margrethen in the northeast corner of Switzerland on July 4.

The SFr86m facility will be used to assemble Kiss double-deck trainsets, replacing a former aircraft factory in nearby Altenrhein which is no longer suitable for the task.

The 65 000 m² rail-connected site in St Margrethen is owned by HIAG Immobilien, and the 35 000 m² of production and warehousing space and 5 000 m² of offices are being built by HRS.

Stadler expects to move almost 1 000 staff from Altenrhein to the new plant from the end of 2019, although some processes employing between 50 and 70 staff will remain at the older site.