World’s Leading Rail Car Manufacturer CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles Company Proposing Vehicle Assembly Facility in Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield, Ma – CNR Changchun Rail Vehicles Co., Ltd. (CNR CRC) is underway with plans to build a rail car manufacturing facility in Springfield, the second largest city in Massachusetts with a population of approximately 150,000 people.

Prompted by their participation in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) request for proposal (RFP) for the Orange/Red Line Car Procurement, CNR CRC representatives today announced initial proceedings including their selection of Springfield for its rich manufacturing heritage, and development plans of a site initiating ongoing conversations of support with State, City, local, and community officials.

CNR CRC currently has under option agreement the 40 acre industrial parcel located at 655 Page Boulevard,  produced auto plant in the US. CNR CRC preliminary plans are to construct a first phase, state of the art 125,000 SF rail car assembly plant and accompanying 33,750 SF office building. CNR CRC is currently conducting detailed engineering analysis of the site to determine suitability for its plant construction program.

“We are very excited to be in discussion with the City of Springfield as we identify and address the necessary steps to advance our goal of building a rail car manufacturing facility in Springfield,” said CNR CRC President Mr. Lu Xiwei.  “The interest and support displayed by Springfield officials at this early stage encourages our partnership and demonstrates a mutual interest in this effort.”

CNR CRC held one of two outreach workshops today at the Springfield Marriott to share subcontracting opportunities relating to the Orange Red Line procurement with underutilized businesses, including Minority, and Women Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE).    The second work shop is tomorrow March 19, 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Quincy Marriott, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy.

CNR CRC was established in 1954 and is a leading professional rolling stock manufacturer having completed projects in over 13 countries and regions producing high speed trains, mass transit vehicles and passenger coaches. CNR CRC has accumulatively manufactured over 30 thousand various railway vehicles (including more than 2,600 stainless steel EMUs). The products of CNR CRC have been exported to Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, New Zealand and Hong Kong, etc.  CNR CRC’s global success with vehicle manufacturing has enhanced their engineering and management experiences in line with international practices and standards. CNC CRC has made great strides in the development of high-speed railway transportation in recent years. By 2012, four years after the nation began its first high-speed passenger service, the country’s high-speed rail track will reach 13,000 kilometers (km), longer than the combined distance laid in the rest of the world.