Hitachi on track for next open day

Following confirmation by the Government that the deal with Hitachi to build and maintain the new generation of trains for the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines would be signed soon, Hitachi has confirmed that planning for the next supplier Open Day is now underway.

Hitachi and developer Merchant Place Developments are now working with Durham County Council through County Durham Development Company to organise an Open Day event similar to the one held in May 2011, to take place in June of this year, this time focussing on the construction phase of the £4.5 billion project.

Last May’s event attracted over 1,200 representatives from UK businesses, predominantly from the north-east, and it is anticipated that the next event will be equally popular.

Among speakers at the event last year Geoff Hunton, Technical Director of Merchant Place Developments, outlined plans for the construction of the 465,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory at Newton Aycliffe. This year’s event  in June will focus on this aspect of the supply chain requirements.