Sheffield LEP grant creates jobs at Unipart

Unipart Rail received the £112,500 Regional Growth Fund (RGF) award as part of a £750,000 investment that has created 37 positions at the rail overhaul business.

It comes as Doncaster and Sheffield City Region LEP aim to position the city as a centre for engineering excellence ahead of competition for valuable HS2 contracts.

Unipart overhauls wheeled wagons called bogies, renewing electrics, brakes and welding before the components are returned for use on the UK rail network.

In addition to creating jobs, the investment has allowed Unipart to expand its facilities and take on new contracts from European and Japanese giants Siemens and Hitachi.

Shaun Taylor, financial controller at Unipart Rail, said: “Our expertise is expanding to cover all bogie types, working to the exacting standards and engineering specifications laid down by the industry.

“Clearly, passenger and freight rail is highly safety-critical, so quality is of the upmost importance. Engineering integrity is at the centre of all work we carry out, which requires experienced, competent, engineering staff.”

Bogies are typically in service for 40 years but will be overhauled every 500,000 to 1.2 million miles. This is around every five to seven years.

Siemens and Hitachi are currently the fastest-growing vehicle suppliers to the UK rail industry. Unipart aims to become the preferred servicer for both manufacturers.

Sheffield City Region LEP, Doncaster Council and the authority’s Business Doncaster team are involved in a wider programme of investment in the rail sector in the region.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “We have an enviable cluster of rail and engineering companies and Unipart Rail is just one of those firms enjoying considerable growth.

“With the National High Speed Rail College set to be the catalyst for further economic growth, Doncaster is cementing its position as the UK’s home of rail and providing local people with opportunities to build successful and rewarding careers.”

The National High Speed Rail College will be based in Doncaster and Birmingham in order to develop the expertise needed to complete the £42bn HS2 project.

Simon Carr, board member of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: “We view the national college as the next chapter in the renaissance of the UK rail industry, with Doncaster positioned to be at the centre of this.”