Stadler eyes new plant in Georgia

STADLER CEO Mr Peter Spuhler has signed a memorandum of understanding with Georgia’s minister of economy and sustainable development, Mr Giorgi Gakharia, paving the way for the Swiss rolling stock manufacturer to set up a plant in the country.

Stadler will now commence a feasibility study of the Georgian market with a view to establishing a Joint Stock Company in the country as well as the new factory.

It is expected that the plant would manufacture rolling stock and provide maintenance services, and Stadler representatives say that depending on the terms of production and the results of the feasibility study, construction on the new plant could start by the end of 2018.

“Georgia has gone through a process of very quick modernisation in recent years and we are pleased to have the opportunity to develop our production here,” Spuhler says.

Gakharia added that the plant could offer localisation of the railway industry within Georgia in the long-term. He also believes it could offer the chance to expand exports and relations with its neighbouring countries. “Such large companies can bring significant benefit to our country,” he says. “It is also important to emphasise the export potential that Georgia has and can offer to these types of companies.”