SQS in the USA: Stadler relies on Swiss certification across the Atlantic
Claudia Furger
Published: 13.11.2025
Reading duration
ca. 5 Minutes
Stadler stands for the highest quality on rails. This also applies to the US site in Salt Lake City. There, the company has deliberately opted for a certification by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS). This despite the fact that there are over 8,000 kilometres between the plant in Utah and the SQS office in Bern. A decision that underlines the close connection to its Swiss roots and high quality standards.
Stadler has been building trains for over 80 years. Today, the company has production plants, engineering sites and service centres in 25 countries, including North America. However, the move across the Atlantic only began in 2015 with an order from Texas: The Fort Worth Transportation Authority ordered eight diesel-electric low-floor trains for the new TEXRail line, a route just under 45 kilometres long between the city of Fort Worth and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
As this is a publicly funded project, the «Buy America Act» applies. It stipulates that at least 70 per cent of the added value must be demonstrably generated in the United States. Stadler is responding accordingly. The company is leasing a former Union Pacific plant in Salt Lake City and at the same time planning a new production facility on a 62-hectare site just ten minutes from the international airport.
Railway pioneers with vision
The new Stadler plant started up in May 2019, sending a clear strategic message: closer to the market, closer to customers. Assembly work is mainly done on site. This means that components from North America and Europe are delivered and installed. However, there are plans for a dedicated production facility to weld raw car bodies directly at the factory.
Stadler production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah Image: Stadler
The investment is paying off. Stadler is rapidly establishing itself as a reliable partner in the US railway industry, continually winning new contracts and growing steadily. Today, over 500 employees work in Utah. They build trains that travel across the country, combining American mobility needs with Swiss precision.
Standards that make the difference: IRIS as a competitive advantage
«To ensure this quality standard, we had our division certified in the spring of 2025 according to the IRIS Certification standard,» says Michael Delgado, Head of Quality and Environment and part of the US team since 2016. The standard is based on the international ISO 22163:2023 standard, which is specifically tailored to the requirements of the railway industry. The IRIS standard, however, also includes additional railway-specific requirements and an assessment system for continuous improvement.
«The certification is a strategically important milestone,» says Delgado. This is because the North American rail market is growing. But it also demands greater efficiency, greater flexibility and no room for error. Stadler US is responding to this and is one of the first companies in North America to comprehensively implement the international quality standard. «Our customers expect tailor-made solutions and quick responses, all under increasing cost pressure. IRIS helps us to improve in precisely these areas.» A decisive advantage in a challenging market environment.
Trust across the Atlantic
What is striking here is that the certification of the US site is carried out by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS). Even though there are 8,000 kilometers and an ocean between the plant in Salt Lake City and the SQS headquarters in Bern. «Of course, the physical distance poses organisational challenges,» says the quality manager. For example, when it comes to coordination, trainings or audits. But these can be successfully overcome by digital formats, bilingual documentation and intercultural awareness. What is more important is that both partners work together not only professionally, but also in a value-oriented manner.
«SQS brings comprehensive expertise in the field of the IRIS standard and ISO 22163,» says Michael Delgado. But it also shares Stadler's mindset and high quality standards and is familiar with Stadler's corporate culture and working methods. «Precision, reliability and a factual, respectful communication style – these are values that SQS lives by and which are also central to Stadler US,» says Michael Delgado. Stadler and SQS are linked by a long-standing partnership that has proven its worth at numerous Swiss and international sites. This established basis of trust and shared understanding of quality form the foundation for effective cooperation in North America as well.
Michael Delgado is Head of Quality and Environment and has been part of the Stadler US team in Salt Lake City since 2016.
Fatih Haciismailogullari is an auditor and product manager at SQS. He personally accompanied the certification process at Stadler US.
Customer proximity and cultural understanding as added value in the certification process
This assessment is shared by Fatih Haciismailogullari, auditor and product manager at SQS. He personally oversaw the certification process at Stadler US. «We focus on our customers in our home market of Switzerland. However, where appropriate and desired, we also support them at their international sites.» This creates added value because, in addition to standard expertise, we also bring along an understanding of the corporate culture, says the auditor.
In the case of Stadler US, Haciismailogullari is particularly impressed by the development of the Salt Lake City site, both from a technical and cultural perspective. «As an auditor with knowledge of Stadler's DNA, it is exciting to see how Swiss corporate culture is being successfully transferred to a North American environment,» says Haciismailogullari. Stadler has managed to combine the strengths of both cultures and make targeted use of synergies from other plants. At the same time, the site still has a lot of potential and plans for the next development steps that are already in progress.
Commitment and collaboration as the key to a successful audit
From the auditor's perspective, the audit itself was also conducted very professionally. «The preparation was thorough, and the US team's commitment was consistently high,» says Haciismailogullari. A solution-oriented dialogue is established right from the quotation phase and continues throughout the entire certification process. A so-called «Readiness Review» is also carried out before the audit to identify any potential weaknesses at an early stage. Any surprises during the audit? Not at all. «The participants demonstrated an impressive understanding of the standards’ requirements,» says the auditor. But that alone is not enough. «It is crucial that the organisation not only reflects the requirements in processes and documents, but also truly lives them in everyday life,» says the auditor. This is clearly evident at Stadler US. The close cooperation with the European sites, especially with Switzerland, has created a strong awareness of the processes and their importance. «This was evident on several occasions during the audit and was a key reason for its successful completion.»
For him as an auditor, one thing is certain: Certification is more than just a formal proof. It stands for lived values in production, organization and partnership. And it shows that Swiss quality knows no boundaries. Not even on American rails.
