Metro solutions
The different stages

First phase The first phase of production called for the building of two complete trains at Valenciennes. The localisation and tech transfer program also began in this phase. Chinese workers from the Puzhen works came to Valenciennes for several hundred man-hours of training. Training, which was also conducted in China, included programs for management, shop-floor and assembly-line logistics, sourcing and stocking of parts and components, and testing. The program included about 150 workers over 30 months. At the same time, a team of 21 ALSTOM employees went to Puzhen to prepare the site for production. The Chinese government invested about RMB 200 million (EUR 23 million) in the factory, and ALSTOM directed a renovation of the plant to bring it up to European standards and to increase production capacity. The renovation program for Puzhen included new facilities for assembly, car-painting and static tests, and a 1,500 V track for dynamic tests.

Second phase In the second phase of production, the body shells for nine trains (trains 3 to 11) were manufactured, riveted and cabled at Valenciennes, then shipped to Puzhen, where they were fitted out and tested.

Third phase Phase 3 took the localisation a step further, with Valenciennes building the underframe, sides and roof of the shells for trains 12-26 and Puzhen carrying out the fastening of the body-shell parts. Manufacturing in the last phase - for the final two trains - was nearly all done in China, bringing the local content up to 70 percent. The program allowed Puzhen to be ready to take over greater responsibility in the project to supply Nanjing's future metro with 20 six-car trains similar to the Pearl Line trains. Under this contract, ALSTOM's Valenciennes team was responsible for design modifications and the building of the first train (which has now been shipped to China.) Puzhen will build the rest of the trains, with SATEE supplying the traction and auxiliary-power equipment. Training at Puzhen will continue with the commissioning of the Nanjing metro train that is now on its way to China. At the same time a local commissioning team will be built up for future projects.