New Production Facility for Solaris Tramino Opened

Production of the Solaris Tramino has started with the official opening of a new, dedicated production hall for bodyshell work. The first Tramino order is for 40 low-trams for Poznań City Transport. Solaris has created a total

of more than 320 new jobs on the new production lines.

On 26 November 2010, Solaris opened its new, dedicated facility for the production of tram bodyshells in a ceremony attended by representatives of politics, business and the media. First to be built at the new site in Środa Wielkopolska are the bodyshells for the Solaris Tramino ordered by Poznań City Transport.

Solaris will deliver 40 Solaris Tramino low-floor trams to Poznań by spring 2012, in time for the 2012 European Football Championship finals, in which Poznań is a host city. These articulated, five-section trams will be 32 metres long and will carry up to 229 passengers in a 100% low-floor passenger saloon.

120 staff work in two shifts at the new production facility. Weekly production output will be the bodyshells for one Solaris Tramino. Care is taken to ensure that all production materials are of highest quality, while the new factory has been equipped only with latest production machinery. These include state-of-the-art laser cutting and welding tools supplied by world market leader TRUMPF, some of which are used for the first time in Poland.

The production of Tramino bodyshells is managed by a team of experts with long-standing experience in rail vehicle manufacturing. Under their supervision, more than 200 trams have previously been built for Polish and international customers.

The new Solaris production facility has been certified by TÜV SÜD according to ISO 3834-2:2007 and PN-EN 15085 standards. The ISO 3834-2:2007 standard characterises high quality of welding, while PN-EN 15085 has been awarded in its highest class CL1, showing that Solaris offers top-level quality in rail vehicle manufacturing.

Overall, Solaris Tramino production will be split between two locations. After completion of the bodyshells in Środa Wielkopolska, final assembly takes place in another new facility in Poznań, where work will start at the beginning of December 2010. Altogether, Solaris has created more than 320 new jobs in the Poznań region for its tram production.

- Before starting serial production, the Solaris Tramino prototype successfully completed a year of demanding tests. We are positive that the vehicles for Poznań which are now under construction will meet highest expectations in quality and functionality as well as in comfort for passengers and drivers alike. In just a few months’ time, one of Europe’s most advanced trams will enhance the Poznań fleet - said Solaris founder Krzysztof Olszewski during the official opening of the new production facility.

Image Captions

Images 1+2: At the new Solaris facility in Środa Wielkopolska, bodyshells for the Tramino low-floor tram are produced with state-of-the-art machinery.

Image 3: The Tramino prototype, seen here on the Poznań network, has successfully completed its year-long test programme.