UK-based Hitachi Rail, a rail transportation company, recently opened a $100 million lighthouse digital factory in Hagerstown, Md.
The 307,000-square-foot, carbon neutral factory will deliver railcars to customers throughout North America. It features more than $30 million in digital enhancements, including artificial intelligence (AI) and smart manufacturing principles, and an interactive customer experience center.
Up to 460 people will work on-site. The site will deliver 256 cars for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 200 cars for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and 78 cars for Maryland Transit Authority for the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink. Most will be produced on site with the exception of a few test trains that will be built in one of Hitachi Rail’s other facilities.
“The site is carbon neutral and harnesses the impressive capabilities of the Hitachi Group to ensure our customers benefit from smart manufacturing powered by transformative digital and AI technologies,” Giuseppe Marino, Hitachi Rail Group CEO, said at the grand opening ceremony on Monday. “Able to deliver up to 20 rail cars per month, the factory will be working at full pace to deliver important railcar contracts across North America, including in the Washington D.C. region.”
The site is expected to have an annual value of more than $350 million.