Stadler’s Big Milestone: First Double-Decker Aluminum Carbody Built in Hungary!

A historic first for Stadler’s Hungarian plant. The company unveils its first-ever double-decker aluminum carbody, marking 15 years of operations in Szolnok.

To mark the 15th anniversary of its carbody production facility in Szolnok, Hungary, Stadler has introduced the first double-decker aluminum carbody ever produced in the country.

During a celebratory event, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Stadler Chairman Peter Spuhler unveiled the historic carbody and announced further expansion plans for the factory. Over the past 15 years, Stadler’s continued investments in the site have played a crucial role in boosting the local economy and creating numerous job opportunities.

The Largest Production Facility in Central and Eastern Europe

The Szolnok facility, inaugurated in 2009, initially had a production capacity of 200 cars per year and employed 200 workers. The factory’s journey began with a 100-member team trained in Switzerland, who manufactured 52 carbodies in its first year of operation.

Over time, the plant has grown into Stadler’s largest and most advanced manufacturing hub in Central and Eastern Europe. Following a EUR 45 million expansion plan announced in 2023, the site will now produce both single-deck and double-deck carbodies simultaneously, a move that will create 170 additional jobs.

So far, Stadler Szolnok has manufactured over 5,600 carbodies, surpassing the 5,000 milestone reached in September 2023. Trains built using Szolnok-made carbodies operate in 14 countries, including the USA, UK, Spain, Italy, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands. With EUR 200 million invested in the Hungarian facility, its importance within Stadler’s global operations is undeniable.

A major highlight of the event was the introduction of friction stir welding (FSW) technology, which reduces material usage, energy consumption, and waste, making production more sustainable. The new welding process is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.

Hungary: A Key Strategic Market for Stadler

Peter Spuhler, Chairman of Stadler Rail Group, spoke about the strategic importance of Hungary for the company:

"We are incredibly proud of how our Szolnok factory has evolved over the past 15 years. Today, it is Stadler’s largest carbody manufacturing plant. Hungary is a key market for us, and we’re thrilled to see an increasing number of Stadler trains operating on Hungarian railways. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our employees, and we sincerely thank them for their hard work."

Stadler’s Strong Presence in Hungary

Beyond being a major employer, Stadler has supplied 195 state-of-the-art vehicles to Hungary. Both MÁV and GYSEV operate:

• 143 FLIRT units
• 40 KISS double-decker trains
• 12 Citylink tram-trains

Stadler-built trains cover 35 million km annually on the Hungarian rail network, making up one-third of MÁV’s total yearly mileage. This also means that half of all MÁV passengers travel on Stadler trains. With an availability and reliability rate exceeding 90%, Stadler’s fleet remains one of the most efficient and dependable in the country.

Source: stadlerrail.com