Siemens Mobility has officially opened its £6 million Multi-Functional Centre in Kings Heath, marking a significant investment in the UK rail sector. The facility was inaugurated by Lucy Rigby KC MP, Member of Parliament for Northampton North, and is expected to expand the company’s capabilities in delivering essential modifications and upgrades to passenger trains while creating new jobs in the local area.

Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

“It was a privilege to officially open Siemens Mobility’s state-of-the-art Multi-Functional Centre and meet the highly skilled team working to enhance passenger journeys. It’s fantastic to see how Siemens Mobility’s local investment is fostering economic growth, creating new jobs and developing skills right here in Northampton.”

Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO and Managing Director for Rolling Stock and Customer Services at Siemens Mobility, added:

“Our new Multi-Functional Centre at Kings Heath is the latest example of Siemens Mobility’s investment in the UK and another step forward for the rail industry. This £6 million investment expands our capacity to deliver vital upgrades for passenger trains and creates 30 additional jobs – all part of our mission to transform rail travel for passengers across the country.”

The centre will enhance Siemens’ ability to perform interior refurbishments on the UK’s passenger train fleet, including improvements to seating, toilets, luggage racks, and charging points. The first project on site will focus on East Midlands Railway’s Class 360s, aiming to improve comfort and the overall passenger experience.

The facility also enables a mobile capability, allowing teams of skilled technicians to travel nationwide for modifications. Recent work included the first-in-class installation of Siemens Mobility’s Variable Rate Sanding technology, designed to improve train braking performance on slippery tracks. The next mobile project will involve upgrading train data recorders (OTDR) to bring mobile connectivity to third-party fleets, enhancing reliability and availability.

In line with Siemens Mobility’s DEGREE sustainability framework, the construction of the centre has delivered a 17% net gain in biodiversity, with the creation of a wildflower garden on-site and plans for additional tree planting in early winter.

This latest investment forms part of Siemens Mobility’s broader UK strategy, which has seen up to £340 million invested in recent years. Key projects include the Rail Village in Goole, Yorkshire, delivering the next generation of Piccadilly line trains for Transport for London and preparing for the assembly of Britain’s battery bi-mode trains, as well as a £100 million investment in Chippenham, Wiltshire, where the Rail Technology Centre is under construction.

Image: Siemens Mobility