Strategic agreement signed between Portuguese multinational Salvador Caetano and Swiss Stadler
Portuguese multinational Salvador Caetano has teamed up with Swiss train manufacturer Stadler to construct the train factory promised by infrastructures minister João Galamba last month.
A “strategic agreement” has already been signed, with the main activity of the project to go ahead in Ovar (where Salvador Caetano already makes Toyota vehicles), and a maintenance facility to be constructed in Guifões, Matosinhos.
As yet a value for this investment has not been revealed. But the first ‘order’ is for 117 new trains for CP (Comboios de Portugal) – an entity crying out for upgraded stock, and currently beset by strikes.
João Galamba suggested in March that the factory would create up to 1,000 jobs
Stadler is also one of the bidders for the tender for the 117 trains, set at €819 million. Other companies in the running are the Franco-Luso Alstom/DST consortium and Spain’s CAF.
In a joint statement, the two companies say their agreement should “give a considerable boost to the Portuguese railway industry” by accelerating “the participation of Portuguese companies in the supply of components for other industrial sectors”.
The outlook for the sector is also positive, with Salvador Caetano and Stadler pointing out that “the railway industry is one of the industries with the best long-term outlook given the importance of railways in future mobility”, even in light of the decarbonisation of transport.
