Stadler started up a new welding hall in Salt Lake City, UT, enabling the delivery of the first locally welded aluminum car body in the company’s North American history. This milestone not only marks an important step forward in passenger rail manufacturing, but also brings high-skilled welding jobs to the local area.
“We set out to build more than just trains,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler North America. “We’re building economic opportunity, stronger supply chains, and a future where American-made trains are synonymous with world-class quality. Today, our welders are proof that it can be done.”
New Welding Hall
The new 50,000 sq ft (4,600 sq m) welding hall is an expansion of Stadler’s current U.S. factory, where passenger trains for the U.S. market are produced. For the first time, aluminum car bodies are now being welded on-site rather than shipped from Stadler welding facilities in Europe — slashing transit time and increasing the local manufacturing footprint and domestic content of Stadler’s trains.
With the combination of the new welding facility and existing car body production, Stadler is further strengthening its domestic content creation in the U.S., increasing it to around 80%. Of the remaining 20%, a large proportion of supplies come from Europe.
In addition, this new hall will create up to 20 new positions for local welders and technicians by the end of 2026. During this ramp-up phase, Stadler’s top welding experts from the company’s competence center in Hungary are on-site in Salt Lake City to share best practices and ensure a seamless transfer of expertise.
Grand Opening
At the grand opening event on September 25th, Stadler invited local officials, community leaders, and team members for a presentation of the first locally welded train car. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall — on hand to commemorate the occasion — praised Stadler’s investment in local talent and contribution to Utah’s growing advanced manufacturing sector.
“This facility is a shining example of what can happen when global expertise meets local ambition,” said Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City Mayor. “With the opening of this new welding hall, train car bodies will be manufactured locally. That means jobs, innovation, and a more sustainable future.”