French rail giant Alstom is set to significantly enhance its railway bogie frame manufacturing capabilities in Hungary with a robust $16 million (Ft6 billion) investment under its Mátranovák 2030 Programme. The expansion aims to increase production capacity at the Mátranovák facility by 40%, accompanied by the addition of nearly 150 new positions, which include roles for welders, locksmiths, CNC machine operators, engineers, and project managers.

The modernization initiative will feature the introduction of advanced machinery and the construction of new logistics halls, targeted for completion by 2025. Gáspár Balázs, the managing director of Alstom in Hungary, emphasized the strategic importance of the Mátranovák site, projecting it to become a key hub in Alstom’s global production network for railway bogies.

This ambitious upgrade will be supported by the Hungarian government following a recent agreement signed with Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs. Alstom’s commitment extends beyond just manufacturing upgrades; it has also established a specialized welding and locksmith training facility at the site to nurture local talent, crucial for the operational expansion and for fulfilling orders for major Hungarian transport operators like MÁV, MÁV-HÉV, and BKV.

The investment is a continuation of Alstom’s strategic efforts to bolster Hungary’s rail industry infrastructure, following a previous cooperation agreement in 2022. This partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing the production capabilities and technological advancement at the Mátranovák factory, which has been operational for 40 years and was integrated into Alstom’s portfolio in 2021.