Talgo S A : Managing Director appointed as Talgo UK is established

Jon Veitch has been appointed Talgo UK Managing Director, reaffirming Talgo commitment to the United Kingdom, 'true manufacturing' and an 'all Britain' strategy.

Talgo is a leading specialized rolling stock engineering company mainly focused on designing, manufacturing and servicing technologically differentiated, fast, lightweight trains with products deployed in 44 countries and permanent industrial presence in the some of the most relevant rail markets around the world. These include Spain, Germany, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, the Middle East and the United States.

Talgo is renowned worldwide for its innovation, its unique technology, and reliability.

Unlike some competitors, instead of relying on kits of parts from overseas, Talgo UK aims to build British trains, with British workers, revitalising parts of the UK supply-chain.

A key part of Talgo UK's strategy is 'knowledge transfer' - building UK domestic capacity for Research and Development. An innovation hub is also planned in Chesterfield. It will act as a focal point for Talgo UK's Research and Development, bringing together networks of engineering excellence, and creating new opportunities throughout the British Isles.

UK Managing Director, Jon Veitch, Said:

'It has been a privilege to be part of a team that has worked over the last three years to establish Talgo UK. I want to thank our many partners and supporters across the UK, who share our vision and who have helped us to reach this point'.

'Talgo UK has promised to be different, by adopting an 'all Britain' strategy and 'true manufacturing'.

'Talgo UK's aim to attract and develop new engineering talent has a particular resonance for me, as I started my career as an Engineering Apprentice.

'With the right training and a 'can-do' attitude, there's no limit to ingenuity. Talgo UK intends to re-establish the UK as a significant manufacturer and exporter of world-class rolling stock'.

'Talgo UK's approach will keep more money in the UK economy, and create more skilled long-term jobs.'

'I look forward to leading the team that will deliver the 'all Britain' strategy, develop the supply-chain, provide opportunities for all, and grow the UK's industrial base.'

Jon Veitch joined Talgo in 2017 as their UK & Ireland Country Representative. Since then, Talgo has bid to supply new trains to both HS2 and classic operators in the UK and elsewhere.

Part of Jon's role was to identify a site in the UK where such trains could be manufactured, and to ensure that Talgo's innovative engineering solutions could be understood and accepted.

Jon has previously held senior leadership, engineering, operations, project management and delivery roles at Hitachi, Downer Australia, Directly Operated Railways, Arriva, Scotrail, InterCity, Virgin, Alstom, South Eastern and East Midlands Trains.

Jon has over thirty years' experience of working internationally both with Transport Owning Groups, Suppliers and Clients, as well as the Department for Transport in the UK. Jon started his railway career as a British Rail craft apprentice.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Talgo is the rolling stock provider for the Haramain high speed railway line between La Mecca and Medina in the Middle-East, and provider of the new AVRIL train to Spanish operator Renfe.

Talgo aims for 'true manufacturing'. Instead of assembling kits of parts from overseas, the company wants to source components from within the United Kingdom. This approach will grow the UK's manufacturing capability, strengthen supply chains, create more jobs, and boost local economies.

Talgo UK intends not only to build for the UK market, but also to serve emerging overseas markets, boosting UK exports.

More information:

Please contact John Morris at JetSetJohnnie

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