WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – New York Air Brake is rebuilding its Watertown manufacturing operation, pivoting to transit parts production years after sending freight train manufacturing to Mexico and cutting more than 100 jobs.
For more than a century, New York Air Brake produced freight train parts at its Watertown headquarters. In 2021, the company moved that manufacturing out of the country, eliminating 125 jobs.
The Watertown plant has since shifted its focus, now producing parts for transit customers including Amtrak and various subway systems.
“We are reimagining the operations for manufacturing associated with the Watertown New York Air Brake location,” said Kevin Hoyt, head of manufacturing for American operations.
The Watertown location currently employs nearly 50 people in manufacturing. A newly announced assembly line accounts for 10 of those positions.
The Jefferson County Economic Development group said it is optimistic about the growth.
“We are excited about any growth that happens with Air Brake, one of our leading legacy manufacturers in the county,” said Marshall Weir, CEO of Jefferson County Economic Development.
New York Air Brake officials said they are confident in the potential for further growth at the Watertown location. The headquarters currently employs 221 workers at the Watertown office.
“It’s a difficult story in the original part, and it’s I think a good story in the way we’re moving it in a new direction,” Hoyt said.
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