UK: The US holding company plans to close its Doncaster Works by the end of the year. This will see the company exit the UK maintenance market and concentrate on component manufacturing. Wabtec told Rail Business UK that economic factors were behind the decision.
In addition, Wabtec is considering moving facilities and 300 employees to other UK sites. These include a plant in Kilmarnock, a plant near Derby and several service centres.
Founded in 1853, Doncaster Works was a major locomotive builder of the Flying Scotsman and Mallard steam locomotives, which set world speed records. Over 12,200 steam locomotives were built and repaired there. More recently it has specialised in repair work.
Wabtec had previously closed and sold the Westinghouse plant in the USA, which in many ways the beginning of its history.
