Alstom/Bombardier

Alstom’s purchase of Bombardier Transportation is expected to formally take place on January 29. This follows the completion of the necessary regulatory approvals required for the sale, which is valued at up to £5.3 billion.

Alstom currently has its main UK facility in Widnes, while it also manages sites at Polmadie (Glasgow), Longsight (Manchester), Edge Hill (Liverpool), Oxley (Wolverhampton) and Wembley.

Bombardier’s two major facilities at Derby Litchurch Lane and Ilford will transfer to Alstom, as will Crewe Works. Alstom has already suggested it plans to retain Derby and capitalise on its capabilities.

By acquiring Bombardier Transportation, Alstom says it can broaden its reach in growing markets and will be able to offer strong, complementary products in rolling stock as well as services, signalling, and research and development. It also plans investment in green technology.

Within the UK, Bombardier is currently fulfilling delayed orders for Aventra electric units for London Overground, TfL Rail, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway.

The company also has a contract to build metro vehicles for Egypt at Derby, and is bidding in a joint venture with Hitachi for the £2.75bn HS2 classic-compatible train order.

Alstom is also shortlisted for that deal. When the takeover deals were first announced, it was confirmed that both bids would remain separate.