Hitachi to move rail business to UK from Japan

[cteno4]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26657455

[miyakoji]

I wonder what portion of those initial 750 employees will Japanese.  If most or all of the existing 2500 are in Japan and will stay there, hiring the balance in the UK will create a lot of new jobs.  Their factory is in Newton Aycliffe, in the northeast, does anyone know if the offices are there too?

[bikkuri bahn]

I think the offices for the global rail business will be in London, I think research facilities have already been established there. 

[Sacto1985]

Is Hitachi getting out of the railcar manufacturing business in Japan itself? Does this mean future Shinkansen trainsets will be primarily built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo and maybe J-TREC and Kinki Sharyo?

[bikkuri bahn]

No, it's just part of Hitachi's corporate strategy to move away from consumer electronics and focus on infrastructure and services in foreign markets, which is a growth industry.  The rolling stock market in Japan is shrinking, but they will still supply domestically.

[Sacto1985]

I do think there is still a market for domestic trainsets in Japan, especially now that the oldest 700 Series Shinkansen trainsets are approaching retirement age, the oldest E2 Shinkansen trainsets are also approaching retirement age, and there is this big JR West project to replace the aging 113/115 Series EMU fleet. I also expect that fairly soon, JR East will announce a replacement for the 115's now running on the Chūō Main Line between Takao and Shiojiri; it may be the same E129 trainsets now on order for the Niigata area, since between Takao and Shiojiri, winter snows can be an issue.

[bikkuri bahn]

Yes, there is a market for replacement rolling stock, less so for new additions to railway rosters- traffic growth is not going to expand much- it's the reality of demographics.  Also, there are just too many builders chasing too few orders domestically.  That is why Hitachi and other builders are expanding their foreign marketing efforts.

[Densha]

Of course as a Dutchman I'd love to see Hitachi delivering Fyra replacements, but probably not. But this surely is a very interesting development.

[kvp]

Does anyone know what types of trainsets Hitachi is trying to sell? I would be interested both in the english and the european versions.

[Densha]

Hmm... at least the replacements for the HST125's and there's also this for the British market: http://www.hitachirail-eu.com/medialibrary/2012/06/01/0ef095d0/RailPartnershipMay2012.pdf