Wabtec to expand Barton manufacturing facility in UK

Core Points - Wabtec plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Barton, UK, to increase production capacity and consolidate core activities in the rail sector [1] - The expansion will cover 7,300m², create 150 skilled jobs, and accommodate up to 500 employees upon completion in Q4 2026 [1][3] - The remaining train component work from the closed Doncaster site will be relocated to the Barton facility [3] Investment and Impact - The investment reflects confidence in the West Midlands as a favorable location for business growth [2] - Wabtec's recent closure of the Doncaster site and exit from the vehicle maintenance market indicates a strategic shift [2][4] - The company is providing support for affected Doncaster staff, including redeployment options [3] Strategic Acquisitions - Wabtec finalized an agreement to acquire Frauscher Sensor Technology Group for €675 million ($794.6 million) to enhance its Digital Intelligence business [4][5] - The acquisition aims to integrate Frauscher's railway signaling technologies into Wabtec's offerings [5]