CAF USA to expand New York State plant
Written by Douglas John BowenDriven by orders for light rail transit (LRT) and streetcar vehicles, CAF USA has announced plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Elmira Heights, N.Y.
The North American subsidiary of Besain, Spain-based Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (CAF) plans to add 12,800 square feet to its facility, to be used as a testing site for LRT cars now being manufactured for Houston Metro. Planning officials in Chemung County, N.Y., gave their approval to the project Thursday, March 20, 2014.
The latest addition will adjacent to a recent 26,000-square-foot buildout CAF USA completed to aid in final assembly of LRV gear.
Local planning approval is still required, but seems likely, from the Town of Horseheads, adjacent to Elmira Heights, where most of the plant expansion will actually occur.
CAF USA currently is under contract to build intercity rail rolling stock for Amtrak (photo above), LRT equipment for Houston, and streetcars for both Cincinnati and Kansas City, Mo. The Elmira Heights facility currently employs more than 600 workers.
