Opening of new Alstom plant in Hornell puts city at center of worldwide rail industry
Hornell was at the epicenter of the global rail car industry on June 2 with the official opening of Alstom's state-of-the-art, 135,000 square foot car shell manufacturing plant on Shawmut Drive
State, federal, county and city officials were on hand for a ribbon cutting for Plant 4 and the building's dedication to the late James Griffin, the pioneering long-time leader of the Hornell Industrial Development Agency.
It was a day clearly set aside for celebrating. Alstom employees and managers, local and state officials and regional economic development leaders basked in the completion of Plant 4 under bright sunshine.
"This is a proud day for Hornell and just the beginning of what we can accomplish when we work together," Hornell Mayor John Buckley said.
Alstom Hornell Site Manager Victor Ionescu said he was "privileged" to be involved with the Plant 4 project since its inception, calling it a new milestone in the city's long connection to rail travel.
'Hornell has been a rail town for 170 years and we are very proud of that history. That history has been built with the cooperation and the partnership of everybody here today," Ionescu said. "We thank you for everything you have done to make this moment possible."
Alstom spent $75 million and worked with 40 unique contractors to build and outfit the facility, one of the few advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States capable of producing stainless steel car body shells for passenger rail vehicles.
Buckley said Plant 4 marks a "landmark investment" in the future of the city. He said the plant's completion helps place Hornell at the "epicenter" of the global rail car industry.
"This facility represents not just steel and concrete, but opportunity, growth and a bright path forward for Alstom and the City of Hornell," Buckley said. "With the creation of an estimated 250 new jobs, Plant 4 is game changer for our community."
Buckley said the high-quality new jobs "will support families, strengthen the workforce and drive new economic vitality throughout Hornell and the surrounding region."
Hope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development, praised Alstom's growth in New York state and its support for "good paying union jobs" in the Southern Tier.
In a statement, Sen. Charles Schumer said, 'Today, Alstom solidifies the Southern Tier and New York state as the beating heart for its North American operations. I've long fought to support Alstom's growth in Steuben County and will continue to fight to ensure Hornell has the resources it needs to be one of the nation's main hubs for rolling stock manufacturing.'
In 2021, Schumer secured a $3.4 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration to the Hornell IDA to make improvements to the Shawmut Park site, paving the way for the expansion.
Michael Keroullé, President, Alstom Americas, said it was a 'beautiful day' for the City of Hornell.
Keroullé expressed his gratitude to leaders and officials at all levels of government for what he said was their "unwavering support and commitment" to rail manufacturing expansion in the Southern Tier.
More: Alstom's $75M Hornell facility now operational. Why it marks new era in rail manufacturing
And Keroullé said Plant 4 'reinforces (Alstom's) strong commitment to American manufacturing" and job creation.
"Good jobs are the foundation for thriving communities," he added.
In January 2021, Alstom was awarded an up-to $1.8 billion contract by Metra, the commuter rail system that serves the Chicago metropolitan area
Plant 4 is expected to be a key component in building rail cars for Metra, as well as other company projects.
Alstom provided tours of the facility following the formal inauguration of Plant 4.
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell, Alstom celebrate opening of new Shawmut Park car shell plant
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
Former PGA, LPGA caddie worried about rising Scottish golf prices: 'There's a real risk'
Former PGA Tour and LPGA caddie Roy Clarke worked on the bag for some influential golf stars, including Jessica Korda. Now, Clarke serves as manager of international operations at All Access. He says the business is keen to grow further by offering its North American customers a "true taste" of Scotland, but there is a risk the industry here is pricing itself out of reach. Here's an interview done with Clarke by business correspondent Kristy Dorsey for Newsquest, which is part of the USA Today/Gannett family. So how did a golf tourism company come to evolve out of an events business? Roy Clarke: It all started when Ryan took a personal golf trip to Scotland and fell in love with the links experience. He was inspired to bring that same joy to his network back in New York and along the East Coast. What began with just 20 tours per year quickly grew to over 100 annually, despite the interruption of the pandemic. It's a pure love. Because we were already organizing premier experiences to events like The Masters, Phoenix Open, Waste Management, the Players Championship, Kentucky Derby, and the Indy 500, there was a natural opportunity to cross-sell these to our golf clientele. The response was tremendous, and demand has kept growing ever since. In fact, we're constantly hiring to keep pace. Where are your clients from? RC: Our customers are all inbound tourists from the U.S., particularly the East Coast, but we're seeing growing interest from Canada, the West Coast, and now further south like Texas and Alabama. And what are they after? RC: While bucket list courses like St Andrews, Turnberry, North Berwick and Royal Dornoch are always in demand, we've built our brand around delivering more than just the classic stops. We focus on full-service, high-end experiences with attention to personal touches, whether it's custom transport, premium accommodation, or access to under-the-radar gems. What new trends have you noticed emerging? RC: The big-name courses will always have their place — who doesn't want to tick off the Old Course or Muirfield? But increasingly we're seeing golfers keen to explore more authentic and less crowded destinations. Places like Brora, Elie, Nairn and Crail have become client favorites. There's a real appetite for courses that deliver that traditional links feel without the crowds or sky-high green fees. Experiences like Kingarrock Hickory Golf, where clients play with hickory-shafted clubs, have also been a hit. So how do you respond to that? RC: We're continually refining our offerings. This season, we've added accommodations like Seaton House and No.1 Apartments in St Andrews. We're also including newer courses such as Dumbarnie, Dundonald and Old Petty near Castle Stuart in our itineraries. And beyond the classics, we're showcasing lesser-known gems that offer incredible golf and a true taste of Scotland. What led you into this line of work? RC: I spent over a decade caddying on the LPGA and PGA Tours. In 2017, while saving for my wedding, I started driving golf tours around Ireland during my off weeks. That's when I met Ryan on one of those trips and we hit it off immediately. We stayed in touch, and as he expanded into Ireland, the timing was perfect. I had three kids under the age of four and was looking for something that kept me closer to home, yet still connected to golf. Our vision going forward is simple: continue to deliver unforgettable experiences, build strong relationships with our clients, and form meaningful partnerships in the golf industry. We have a young, dynamic team balanced by experienced leadership — it's a formula that's working and one we're excited to grow. What has been the impact of the announcement that The Open will return to St. Andrews in 2027? RC: Demand is exceptionally high as always in Scotland, the home of golf. We see a spike in interest every time a venue is featured in The Open rota, and the upcoming return to St Andrews is no different. We're already running pre- and post-Open itineraries in the Highlands and Ayrshire to meet the surge in demand. That said, rising prices are a concern. Costs for hotels, courses, and transport have jumped more than 10% in a single year. If the trend continues, there's a real risk that Scotland might price itself out of reach for many travellers, especially with Ireland charging less which is becoming increasingly attractive alternative. But the excitement around The Open is always a huge boost. It energizes the industry and has a ripple effect for two to three years after each event. We're preparing for that wave with bespoke Open packages that make the most of Scotland's world-class golf and hospitality.
USA Today
20 hours ago
- USA Today
New York Giants the top 'wallet-friendly experience' in NFL, poll shows
Based on a recent poll, the New York Giants offer the most "wallet-friendly experience" for fans among the 32 franchises in the NFL. The folks at Hard Rock Bet analyzed the "Fan Cost Index" from 1991 to 2024 to identify the most generous owners and franchises across all four major North American sports leagues. The Giants topped the list as the most wallet-friendly NFL franchise. The NFL's New York Giants are owned by John Mara and Steve Tisch. These two owners have kept prices low, too, as the Fan Cost Index was $151.80 in 1991, $629.62 in 2015, and only $655.06 in 2024, which is only a 4% increase over nine years. The data found that the New York Giants are: These are surprisingly reasonable numbers for a franchise located in a big market. The late Wellington Mara considered fans as "customers" and was always conscious of providing them with the best possible bargain he could. His heirs have kept that tradition in place. For the record, the top-5 most wallet-friendly teams were the Miami Marlins (MLB), Vancouver Canucks (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Miami Heat (NBA), and Minnesota Twins (MLB).
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. Acquires Ambulance Manufacturing Leader Demers Braun Crestline Medix
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. (JBPCO), a privately held North American manufacturing leader serving the commercial vehicle and specialty manufacturing industries, today announced the acquisition of Demers Braun Crestline Medix (DBCM). 'Our acquisition of DBCM aligns with JBPCO's long-term vision—building a platform of industry-leading companies with a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service,' said John Poindexter, CEO and Chairman of JBPCO. Share Headquartered in Beloeil, Quebec (Canada), DBCM is one of North America's largest ambulance manufacturers with a strong presence across the U.S. and Canadian markets. Known for advanced innovation and paramedic-driven design, DBCM has delivered more than 70,000 units to over 40 countries and employs more than 1,500 team members across its operations. 'Our acquisition of DBCM aligns with JBPCO's long-term vision—building a platform of industry-leading companies with a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service,' said John Poindexter, CEO and Chairman of JBPCO. 'As JBPCO celebrates its 40th anniversary, and each of the DBCM brands celebrates decades of dedication in the emergency vehicle industry, we are proud to bring together more than 500 years of combined manufacturing excellence across our portfolio of companies. DBCM has built a solid foundation, and we look forward to investing in its future, supporting the team, enhancing the products, and unlocking new opportunities for growth.' Demers recently launched its 11 th -generation ambulance platform and continues to set the bar in safety, design, and performance with paramedic-centric features like the FX Care Module. As part of JBPCO, the Company will continue to operate with brand autonomy while benefiting from expanded resources, shared capabilities, and a culture that values team member contributions. 'Joining JBPCO is a major milestone for our organization and our team,' said Alain Brunelle, CEO of Demers Braun Crestline Medix. 'We are united by a mission to improve lives, one relationship and one vehicle at a time—and this partnership ensures we can continue doing just that, with even greater scale and support.' JBPCO's total revenue will reach $3 billion with this acquisition, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone in the commercial and specialty vehicle manufacturing space—from last-mile delivery and work trucks to emergency response vehicles. About J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company providing best-in-class commercial automotive and industrial solutions. JBPCO owns and operates a portfolio of leading business units including Morgan Truck Body, LLC; Morgan Olson, LLC; The Reading Truck Group, LLC; Truck Accessories Group, LLC d/b/a LEER Group; Masterack, LLC; EFP, LLC; Federal Eagle, LLC; and EAVX. JBPCO is headquartered in Houston, Texas and with the acquisition of DBCM, now employs more than 10,000 team members across North America. For more information, visit or connect on LinkedIn. Demers Braun Crestline Medix is one of North America's largest ambulance manufacturers, with a legacy of over 175 years across its four leading brands. Headquartered in Beloeil, Quebec, and operating in both Canada and the United States, the company designs and manufactures ambulances that meet the evolving needs of emergency service providers. Its brands—Demers, Braun, Crestline, and Medix—have delivered over 70,000 units in more than 40 countries. To learn more, visit and
