Alstom announces an investment plan to increase its production capacity in France

On 4 April 2025, Alstom announced an investment plan at its French sites to meet the growing demand of the French and international rail market, particularly for very high-speed trains. Frédéric Wiscart, President of Alstom France, said: “The very high-speed market is currently experiencing strong growth and Alstom is delighted to see the growing interest in the Avelia Horizon double-deck high-speed train, a truly unique offering on the market. This unprecedented programme for the Group will enable us to meet our current commitments and strengthen Alstom’s industrial base with innovative technologies stemming from Industry 4.0 to better serve customers”.

An overview of a plan of more than 150 million EUR to increase the Group’s production capacity:

- Part of this investment (20 %) will go directly towards opening a new assembly line for Avelia very high-speed trains at Valenciennes Petite-Forêt site, a first for this site in the North of France.
- This investment plan will also make it possible to double the bodyshell and assembly lines for the Avelia very high-speed trains at La Rochelle site.
- These new production lines will make the most of Lean manufacturing innovations, for improved performance and ergonomics.
- In addition, Alstom will continue its investments in digitalisation and simulation, for example with the ‘TrainLab’ in La Rochelle which helps reduce the testing time for new trains. 
- The company will also be investing in the industrial capacity of the Belfort works by constructing a new building to prepare for the commercial launch of very high-speed trains. With a length of 250 m, this new building will be able to accommodate a complete Avelia Horizon trainset.
- Investments are also planned at sites manufacturing components for Avelia very high-speed trains, such as Petit Quevilly, Ornans, Tarbes, and Le Creusot, including with robotisation and advanced welding technology.
- Alstom is also investing in its supply chain to help its suppliers support the Group’s growth.

These investments will be accompanied by the hiring of at least 1,000 people in France in 2025. These hirings and the investments in Alstom’s capacity in France will also generate or secure more than 2,500 jobs with Alstom’s French suppliers.