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MAGA in the approach path
German technology remains highly regarded when it comes to rapid material handling, the elimination of weaknesses, and service quality. Following successful projects in Oklahoma and Texas, the steel trader " Steel and Pipe Supply " once again relied on saws and storage systems from the Rhine Valley in Kansas City.
Rent warehouse equipment instead of buying it
Bito is launching an offensive with an economical alternative for companies that want to re-equip, expand, or temporarily supplement their warehouse and production areas, but don't want to tie up their capital long-term: renting instead of buying is the motto. The advantages – especially in " dynamic times " – are obvious.
«Kanpai» with sake on the pharmaceutical chain
Logistics provider Yusen is presenting an expanded global platform for the healthcare sector at LogiPharma in Vienna, where companies such as Novartis, Bayer, Takeda, and hospital supplier UCB are currently participating. The platform focuses on the professional delivery of specialized healthcare solutions.
Streamlined logistics
Coop's own rail connection for urban logistics in Zurich, streamlined logistics vehicles and the outsourcing of all operating room logistics in a cooperation between the Seeschau Clinic and the Swiss Post are the projects that are entering the final sprint for this year's Swiss Logistics Award from GS1.
Vacuum technology makes mobility possible
Compressed air has traditionally been used primarily for fixed installations. Schmalz's vacuum grippers also mainly operate with lines that often have to run across halls and facilities. However, mobile robotics increasingly requires flexible solutions – a need that Schmalz now intends to address more effectively.
A foray into drive technology
Safelog, the specialists for software for controlling intralogistics processes, have entered into a cooperation with the drive experts from SEW Eurodrive at LogiMAT in order to jointly develop a high-performance software for controlling mobile and stationary processes in intralogistics.
Networking with perspectives
“Never walk alone” could be the motto of a networking event hosted by the consulting experts from “Adnovum”, where the Digital Product Passport (DPP), cybersecurity and IT opportunities with Petra Merino (GS1 Switzerland) and security expert Andreas Achterholt are on the agenda on May 7th in Zurich.
Maintenance in Austria
With a new workshop in Obersiebenbrunn near Vienna, rail manufacturer Stadler is expanding its capacity for the commissioning, approval, and servicing of modern rail vehicles in Austria. The workshop has been used to maintain Westbahn's high-speed trains since March 2026.
Idealworks pushes into the US market
Idealworks, part of the Munich-based Agile Robots Group, with more than 1,700 AMRs and AGVs worldwide and one of the pioneers in industrial automation through AI in robot-controlled logistics processes, has founded a US company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
New chain belt sorting
At LogiMAT, conveyor technology provider Interroll attracted attention with a new chain-belt sorting system developed after the acquisition of Sortteq. Together with MCP Play, this creates a material flow ecosystem that combines single-item transport with intelligent sorting.
Siemens is building trains in New York
Siemens is building trains in New York
Cucamonga, final destination
Siemens Mobility is investing $60 million in a high-speed train factory near New York. The 28,000 m² facility is expected to create 300 jobs. The "American Pioneer 220" will be built there for a new line between Las Vegas and Cucamonga in Southern California – and the company is seeking close cooperation with the unions.
The company points to deep roots in New York State and a nearly 150-year history that began in 1875 with the first transatlantic telegraph cable between the US and Europe. Today, the company employs 2,500 people in New York alone, the North American headquarters of Siemens Mobility, across 15 offices and facilities in the areas of infrastructure, financial services, mobility, and healthcare. Over 1,100 companies in New York are also part of the Siemens US supply chain.
The American Pioneer 220 - a Velaro derivative. Image: Siemens Mobility
The new factory also expands Siemens Mobility's growing production network in the USA, which currently has eight production sites across the country – representing more than 3,000 rail vehicles, 30,000 level crossings and over 4,500 jobs in North America.
Horseheads is located in southern New York State and was chosen for its skilled workforce, industrial history, and ability to best meet the requirements of the client, Brightline West. The American Pioneer 220 is equivalent to the European Siemens Velaro Novo. Production is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The trains themselves are intended to run primarily in the wide median strip of Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Southern California. In Nevada, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new high-speed line took place in April of this year at the future Enterprise terminus near Las Vegas – with due mention of the three billion US dollars from the Biden administration's infrastructure bill that are flowing into the high-speed line (with estimated total costs of around 12 billion US dollars).
Groundbreaking for the track near Las Vegas (Photo: Brightline)
The groundbreaking ceremony was punctuated by lighthearted comments from US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. The first track spikes were symbolically driven into the ground. The line will have stops in Las Vegas, Victor Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga, California. The project is expected to create jobs for approximately 11,000 workers.
Siemens has stated that it is seeking close cooperation with the US union of machinists, aerospace workers, the "Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers" (IAM), which has over 600,000 members, at its train production site in Horseheads.
“This is an exciting time not only for Siemens Mobility, but for the entire rail industry,” said Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility. “Our new plant in Horseheads marks the beginning of a completely new industry in the USA – bringing both the production of high-speed trains and one of the world’s most advanced trains to the continent for the first time. The American Pioneer 220 is designed with digital twin technology and offers state-of-the-art rail solutions. These include a revolutionary gearless drive system that reduces energy consumption by up to 30% and is designed to effortlessly handle steep gradients.”
Extra width also available for the party car (Image: Siemens Mobility)
“After months of tireless work, I am pleased to announce this manufacturing facility, the first of its kind for America, with 300 jobs in Upstate New York,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “New York State has a proud history as a pioneer in the rail industry and people who are passionate about working on America’s future. Siemens Mobility is an excellent addition to the already outstanding manufacturers in this region, and I am thrilled that they answered my call to come to New York and join the rail industry here in the southern part of the country. All eyes are on this significant step in modernizing America’s infrastructure, and our Chemung County will be at the forefront.”
“Today’s announcement that thousands of jobs will be created in the foreseeable future is just the beginning,” said Michael Reininger, CEO of Brightline. “For the first time ever in the U.S., we will be manufacturing trains that can compete with the best in the world.”
The new plant will create jobs in electromechanical assembly, quality management, quality control, industrial production, test development, project management, supply chain management, and logistics. Just as the history of the railroad once shaped the development of New York State, so too will the production of high-speed trains. Siemens Mobility has also signed a letter of intent with the International Association of Machinists for union representation at the new facility.
Anyone can drive in a track nail... (Photo: Brightline)
Brightline has selected Siemens Mobility to build trains for its high-speed rail project, which will connect Las Vegas and Southern California in under two hours. The new trains feature an exceptionally wide car body. This open-tube design enables the best accessible high-speed train on the market, ensuring seamless movement between cars for wheelchair users throughout the train, exceeding requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Siemens Group, present in the United States for over 160 years, has invested approximately three billion dollars in the country over the past four years, according to company figures. Around 45,000 US employees work at 25 production facilities serving more than 100 cities and 90 percent of the Fortune 500 industrial companies.
