Lucchini Unipart Rail Opens State-of-the-Art Bogie Service Facility in Doncaster

Lucchini Unipart Rail (LUR) has reached a major milestone in its expansion strategy with the official opening of its new 102,000 sq ft bogie service facility in Warmsworth, Doncaster. The inauguration ceremony, attended by around 50 of LUR’s customers, suppliers, and industry contacts, included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, as well as a guided tour of the new premises. The new facility doubles the size of LUR’s previous site in Hexthorpe and underscores the company’s long-term commitment to both Doncaster and the broader South Yorkshire region. This investment is part of a £7.5 million dual-site expansion, which also includes the relocation and modernization of LUR’s Manchester Wheelset Repair Facility, officially opened last week by Riccardo Pasinetti, Commercial Director of Lucchini RS Group and LUR Board Member. By expanding its footprint in Doncaster, LUR is positioning itself to meet the growing demands of the UK rail industry while enhancing operational capacity, efficiency, and service reliability.

The Doncaster facility, which employs 90 people, is a specialist site dedicated to the overhaul and refurbishment of bogies used in passenger, freight, and light rail vehicles. The move to the larger Warmsworth location allows LUR to increase monthly production capacity to 80 bogies, while additional investments in advanced machinery and technology are planned to further optimize operations. During the opening ceremony, Mayor Ros Jones highlighted the significance of LUR’s investment, stating that it represents a strong vote of confidence in Doncaster’s local economy and the city’s heritage in the rail industry. She emphasized that the facility will support the creation of skilled jobs and contribute to the growth of UK manufacturing in South Yorkshire. LUR’s Managing Director, Phil Chilton, echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in the company’s commitment to operational excellence and its focus on providing customers with increased capacity and enhanced service capabilities.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary as a joint venture between Lucchini RS Group and Unipart, LUR now employs a total of 380 people across its Doncaster and Manchester operations. The company supplies wheelsets, gearboxes, and bogies to the UK rail sector and is a key player in supporting both passenger and freight rail services. The expansion into Doncaster not only strengthens LUR’s ability to meet current market needs but also positions the company to respond to future growth, enhance customer service, and drive innovation across its end-to-end offering. By combining advanced manufacturing capabilities with a skilled workforce, LUR aims to maintain its leadership in the UK rail supply chain while contributing to the long-term sustainability and modernization of the country’s rail infrastructure. The facility embodies LUR’s strategic vision of growth, operational efficiency, and continued investment in the UK rail industry, reinforcing its role as a critical partner for rail operators nationwide.