LEW Hennigsdorf
| Company type | subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport, locomotive manufacturing |
| Predecessor | acquired: August Borsig Lokomotiv-Werke, Berlin (-1931) Borsig Lokomotiv Werke GmbH (1931-1944) VEM Vereinigung Volkseigener Betriebe des Elektro-Maschinenbaus-Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke Hennigsdorf (Osthavelland) (1947-1951) |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Founder | AEG |
| Successor | AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH |
| Headquarters | Hennigsdorf, Berlin , Germany |
Number of employees | 2200 (2010) |
| Parent | AEG (1985–1996) Adtranz (1996–2001) Bombardier Transportation (2001–2021) Alstom (2021–present) |
Established in 1910 by AEG, the rail vehicle manufacturing facility located in Hennigsdorf, Germany, began producing locomotives in 1913. During the 1930s, it incorporated August Borsig's locomotive works and operated as Borsig Lokomotiv Werke GmbH until 1944. After World War II, the site was nationalized under the German Democratic Republic and continued manufacturing electric locomotives primarily for domestic use and export to Communist Bloc nations under the designation Lokomotivbau-Elektrotechnische Werke (LEW).
Following the 1990 German reunification, ownership reverted to AEG as AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH. Subsequent parent company transitions included Adtranz in 1996, Bombardier Transportation in 2001, and finally Alstom from 2021 onward. Under Adtranz's tenure, locomotive production ended, with the facility shifting focus toward building diesel and electric multiple unit vehicles.
History
In 1910, AEG purchased land in Hennigsdorf near Berlin originally intended for a ceramics factory, which commenced operations in 1911. Two years later, in 1913, AEG transferred its locomotive manufacturing from Berlin to Hennigsdorf and initiated production of electric rail vehicles. Between 1914 and 1918, manufacturing emphasis shifted to steam locomotives.
A collaboration with Rosenthal & Co. AG started around 1920/21, introducing insulator production alongside a steel mill. By 1927, the factory had developed its first operational powdered-coal steam locomotive.
The Great Depression forced a merger in 1931 between AEG and the bankrupt Borsig AG. Production of locomotives was relocated from Borsig's Tegel facility to Hennigsdorf. By 1935, AEG had fully acquired Borsig, continuing locomotive manufacture under the name Borsig Lokomotiv Werke GmbH until operations ceased in 1944.
After World War II left approximately 80% of the plant destroyed and situated within Soviet-controlled East Germany, it was nationalized in 1947 as VEM Vereinigung Volkseigener Betriebe des Elektro-Maschinenbaus-Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke Hennigsdorf (Osthavelland). Electric locomotive production recommenced in 1948. The company was renamed VEB Lokomotivbau-Elektrotechnische Werke "Hans Beimler" in 1951—commonly abbreviated as LEW—and expanded its product range.
By 1955, LEW was producing a wide array of rail vehicles including trams, diesel locomotives, underground trains, and rack railway locomotives; approximately 60% of production was destined for export markets. Starting in 1960, the factory developed ultra-pure metals utilizing electron beam furnace technology. Over subsequent decades, LEW supplied electric locomotives to East Germany’s Deutsche Reichsbahn such as the DR Class 250 introduced in 1974 and the DR Class 243 launched in 1982.
From the mid-1980s onward, LEW partnered with AEG—then predominantly owned by Daimler-Benz—to expand exports beyond Eastern Bloc countries. This collaboration culminated with delivery of the Series 601 intercity diesel multiple units to Greece’s OSE in 1989. That same year formal agreements solidified their cooperative efforts.
With German reunification in 1990, LEW transitioned from a state-owned combine into a private entity named LEW Hennigsdorf GmbH; acquisition negotiations with AEG commenced shortly thereafter. By November 1991, AEG committed to acquiring key segments of LEW’s rail business and pledged an investment of DM600 million for upgrading Hennigsdorf facilities. Effective January 1992, the plant was rebranded as AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH, becoming part of AEG Daimler Benz’s AEG Bahnsysteme division.
In 1992, AEG Bahnsysteme reorganized into four specialized sectors addressing North American and European long-distance and local rail markets; Hennigsdorf was designated headquarters for Long-Distance Traffic operations.
By January 1996, AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH merged into ABB Daimler Benz Transportation (Adtranz) following a fusion between AEG Bahnsysteme and ABB Transportation. Adtranz discontinued locomotive manufacturing at Hennigsdorf by relocating it to ABB Henschel in Kassel during 1998. When Bombardier Inc. acquired Adtranz in May 2001, the Hennigsdorf plant became part of Bombardier Transportation.
Under Bombardier—and subsequently Alstom since 2021—the facility produces various passenger rail vehicles including RegioSwinger and Itino DMUs; DBAG Class 422 and Class 424 EMUs; NS Sprinter Lighttrain EMUs; along with Bombardier Talent trains, ICE 3 high-speed trains, and MOVIA metro cars.
External links
- Production catalogues
- Additional resources