Rheinmetall agrees with Alstom to take over Kassel locomotive plant

On 06.10.2026 Alstom and Rheinmetall confirmed an agreement in principle on the future of Alstom's Kassel plant: Rheinmetall intends to take over the halls and site, and the employees are to be able to work for Rheinmetall Landsysteme at the location in future. This is likely to end locomotive building in Kassel after more than 175 years; around 750 Alstom employees are affected, who had demonstrated against the sale plans the previous week. Contract details are still being negotiated and no price is known; Rheinmetall's neighbouring plant builds tanks and is set to grow as part of the Defence Hub Nordhessen (id 014d3630) (hessenschau, 06.10.2026).