The train manufacturer is currently bidding for a £2.75 billion HS2 contract and announced the rolling stock factory in Scotland last year.
Since then new prime minister Boris Johnson has put the future of HS2 in doubt by conducting a government review of the project. The review is led by Douglas Oakervee, a civil engineer and former chair of HS2, who is working with Lord Berkeley as his deputy, another a civil engineer who worked on the construction of the Channel Tunnel.
Talgo has confirmed the factory is not dependent on winning the HS2 contract, but has stressed it requires a large order to “anchor” the factory before construction can begin.
The signed framework sets out each party’s commitment to ensure that the proposed factory in Fife is prepared and delivered at an agreed time and specification. This milestone will ensure that Talgo will meet contractual deliverables for the contracts that are being evaluated and proposed.
Talgo is a specialised rolling stock engineering company mainly focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing fast, lightweight trains.
A key part of Talgo UK’s strategy is knowledge transfer – building UK domestic capacity for R&D. An innovation hub is also planned in Chesterfield. It will act as a focal point for Talgo UK’s R&D, bringing together networks of engineering excellence, and creating new opportunities throughout the UK.
Talgo president, Carlos de Palacio y Oriol, commented: “We are committed to Scotland in our bid process. Today’s milestone marks a new phase in an excellent relationship with team Scotland. Now let’s get on with securing orders that will bring more jobs and ‘true manufacturing’ of rolling stock back to Scotland.”
Executive director of Scottish Enterprise, Paul Lewis, added: “This Framework agreement is another significant milestone in our work with Talgo, to achieve its ambition of establishing a world-class high value manufacturing facility at Longannet.
“Scottish Enterprise and our partners are incredibly excited by Talgo’s plans for Longannet, which would deliver 1,000 direct jobs and a host of supply chain opportunities for companies in Scotland.”
Talgo www.talgo.com
