Alstom has entered discussions with potential buyers regarding the sale of its locomotive plant in Kassel, Germany, reports HNA.
The site employs around 800 people and manufactures locomotives, including Traxx platform variants. Employees were informed at the end of April, while the identity of the interested party has not been disclosed due to a confidentiality agreement.
The Kassel plant has produced locomotives for nearly 180 years, originating from the former Henschel works. It became part of Alstom following the acquisition of Bombardier Transportation in 2021. In recent years, Alstom invested a double-digit million euro sum in the site and reorganised production processes. At the end of 2025, the service business was separated, with around 100 staff remaining on site.
The works council and IG Metall have called for greater transparency regarding the scope of a potential transaction and safeguards for employees. Union representatives stated that the plant is currently operating at high capacity with a strong order book.
The development follows Alstom’s 2024 sale of its Görlitz site to defence contractor KNDS, where rail vehicle production has since been replaced by defence manufacturing. In Kassel, Rheinmetall and KNDS both operate facilities, and Rheinmetall has announced expansion plans at its nearby plant through 2029.