Stadler is investing more than $70 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City’s Northwest Quadrant, with support from the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA).
Bussnang, Switzerland-based Stadler established a Utah location in 2016, after Trinity Metro in Texas ordered eight four-car FLIRT DMUs (diesel multiple units) for the launch of TEXRail commuter rail service in 2019. Work on the expansion project began in October 2024, following contract awards from Trinity Metro for four more DMUs and from Utah Transit Authority for up to 80 low-floor CITYLINK light rail vehicles for Salt Lake City’s TRAX modernization project. “The expanded premises will enable Stadler [US Inc.] to manage this growth and in the future, manufacture car bodies in the U.S.,” the company said earlier this year, during the announcement that Stadler US Inc. would operate as an independent division.
UIPA on March 26 reported awarding Stadler US Inc. an annual Property Tax Differential Rebate equivalent to 10% of the assessed property tax, post completion of the development. This rebate will be provided annually for no more than 25 years and is “contingent upon continued operations, corporate stewardship commitments, and water usage reviews,” according to UIPA, a state entity that works in partnership with municipalities and counties on developments in 12 project areas across Utah. It will also enable Stadler US Inc. “to localize more of its supply chain, enhance job training programs, and further establish Utah as a leader in innovative transportation manufacturing,” UIPA said.
The expansion project is slated to double the size of the existing facility, adding 245,000 square feet to accommodate two new assembly halls, a welding facility, sandblasting booth and train battery charging station. Stadler also plans to increase the number of employees from 500 to up to 800 over the next three years, according to UIPA.
Additionally, Stadler US Inc. plans to support workforce development through its apprenticeship program and explore future projects to benefit employees at the facility. Stadler is currently training 26 youth apprentices there through its TRAC program; four are expected to graduate from the three-year program this summer.
“We are proud to expand our U.S. manufacturing footprint right here in Salt Lake City,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of the Stadler North America Division. “This incentive will allow us to accelerate innovation, enhance our workforce, and strengthen our partnerships with the Inland Port and transit agencies nationwide.”
“This investment solidifies Utah as a premier hub for cutting-edge passenger rail manufacturing,” said Ben Hart, Executive Director of UIPA. “Stadler’s expansion will bring high-quality jobs, strengthen local supply chains, and drive innovation in zero emission passenger rail technology—exactly the kind of growth we aim to support.”
Among the other Stadler projects in the U.S.: 23 KISS EMUs(electric multiple units) are operating at Caltrain in California; a hydrogen fuel cell (HFC)-powered FLIRT H2 train is currently in test on Metrolink’s Arrow line between San Bernardino and Redlands, Calif., where it will run alongside existing FLIRT DMUs; and eight DMUs are being tested for Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line commuter rail service. Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in 2019 awarded Stadler a contract to supply 127 two-car rapid transit trainsets with options for up to 50 additional sets, and earlier this year California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) exercised an option for six additional zero-emission HFC FLIRT H2 trainsets; Chicago’s Metra ordered eight two-car zero-emission, battery-electric (BE) single-level trainsets; and Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners selected Stadler and Siemens Mobility to provide railcars and signaling technology, respectively, for a rail proposal to ease congestion on the I-405 (Sepulveda) corridor between Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley and Westside.
