Hitachi President Toshiaki Tokunaga at the new factory in Maryland, US, on Sepember 8. (©Sankei by Nagahisa Shiobara)
On September 8, Hitachi opened its new railway plant in Hagerstown, Maryland, on the East Coast of the United States. The facility has now started full-scale operations. Hitachi is using advanced digital technologies at the plant, including dog-shaped robots that inspect railcars. The company sees the plant as a key hub for the North American market and plans to produce 20 railcars per month for delivery to transit authorities, including those in Washington, DC.
Investment and Facility Details
Hitachi invested $100 million USD in the project, which is expected to create 460 jobs. The factory covers about 29,000 square meters (310,000 square feet) and includes test tracks. More than 600 railcars are scheduled for delivery to transit agencies in Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, among others.
Focus on Local Production
During the factory tour, Hitachi demonstrated a dog-shaped robot equipped with cameras that can detect scratches and dents on railcars. The company also introduced equipment that remotely moves vehicles and inspection devices that use digital technology to create 3D images of parts.
At a press conference, Hitachi President Toshiaki Tokunaga said the company aims to further accelerate local production for local consumption in the United States. He emphasized the importance of building local manufacturing bases as Hitachi expands its US business.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: Nagahisa Shiobara, The Sankei Shimbun
