Bombardier receives US$620-million rail order for factory in France

MONTREAL — Bombardier has received a US$620-million order from rail operator SNCF for 40 double-deck regional trains that will preserve employment at its railway manufacturing plant in France.

The order is an option from a 2010 framework agreement valued at US$11 billion to provide up to 860 trains in France.

With the announcement, Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) has received orders for 253 trains.

The trains destined for the Normandy region will be delivered between 2019 and 2021.

The head of Bombardier Transportation in France recently warned that the Crespin facility could be at risk as of 2019 unless the company received new orders.

Spokesman Marc-Andre Lefebvre said this order assuages employee concerns by supporting work of that plant until 2021.

The Canadian Press