Why Hitachi and Ericsson Have Bet on Private 5G in Rail
Hitachi Rail has unveiled a private 5G-enabled digital factory at its Hagerstown site in Maryland, in the US developed as part of its āOne Hitachiā strategy.
The project illustrates how Hitachi is combining rail expertise, digital engineering and IT/OT integration across its group businesses to deliver Industry 4.0 transformation. The private 5G network, provided by Ericsson and integrated by GlobalLogic, forms the foundation of this digital blueprint.
A āOne Hitachiā approach to digital change
The Hitachi Group has long promoted its āOne Hitachiā philosophy, designed to unify different divisions in order to accelerate innovation.
The Hagerstown plant, covering 307,000 square feet (29,500 square metres), demonstrates the approach in practice.
Hitachi Rail has drawn upon its in-house technology portfolio, supported by GlobalLogic, a system integrator acquired by Hitachi in 2021.
GlobalLogic designed the architecture, linking Hitachi’s hardware and software with Ericsson’s private 5G system to deliver a factory-wide, low-latency and secure wireless backbone.
By integrating IT and OT systems into a single digital environment, Hitachi Rail has created a foundation for advanced automation, analytics and operational resilience.
“Our new digital factory in Hagerstown is more than just a train manufacturing site – it is a blueprint for the future of rail production worldwide, harnessing the latest AI, robotics and digital systems to deliver high-quality, smart and reliable manufacturing,” said Joe Pozza, President at Hitachi Rail in North America.
Ericsson provides the private 5G layer
Ericsson is the only non-Hitachi contributor to the Hagerstown deployment. Its private 5G solution powers secure, high-performance connectivity across the entire plant, ensuring ultra-low latency for time-critical applications.
āTo make Industry 4.0 real, manufacturers need secure, high-performance connectivity that is flexible and scalable,ā explains Alan Minney, Senior Director for Global Strategic Partnerships in Ericssonās enterprise division.
"This project in Hagerstown shows how private 5G can power everything from predictive maintenance to collaborative robotics, while reducing energy usage and downtime.ā
GlobalLogicās integration and lifecycle support
As part of the initiative, GlobalLogic has taken responsibility for the network lifecycle, ensuring continued reliability and optimisation of the 5G deployment.
By acting as systems integrator, GlobalLogic has brought Ericssonās technology together with Hitachiās industrial software and hardware to enable seamless IT/OT integration.
āPrivate 5G networks are unlocking new opportunities for industries, from advanced automation to energy optimisation. Building on our partnership with Ericsson and working closely with the Hitachi Rail team, we are delivering ultra-reliable, low-latency and secure wireless connectivity,ā comments Sameer Tikoo, General Vice President of GlobalLogicās network provider business.
"Itās more than faster connectivity, itās about establishing the resilient digital backbone that modern industrial operations need to compete, grow and achieve sustainability goals.ā
Advanced applications for industry 4.0
The deployment enables a wide range of Industry 4.0 use cases, many of which are already under development at Hagerstown.
- AI-driven robotics and inspection systems: Mobile robots and robotic dogs capture and analyse real-time data to detect defects, support maintenance and improve quality control.
- Digital twins: Virtual modelling of railcars allows teams to simulate designs, optimise workflows and reduce errors before physical production begins, accelerating time to market.
- Predictive maintenance: Data gathered over private 5G networks is used to predict failures, reduce downtime and extend asset lifespan.
- Automated quality inspection: Machine vision systems identify defects in real time, improving product reliability.
- IoT-driven material transport: Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) enhance efficiency in moving parts and tools across the factory floor.
These capabilities highlight the broader potential of private 5G in industrial settings, extending beyond rail manufacturing into other heavy industries and advanced production environments.
A blueprint for future factories
Hitachi Rail has positioned Hagerstown as more than a production site, presenting it as a model for global digital manufacturing transformation.
By blending its internal expertise with Ericsson’s private 5G capabilities, Hitachi has built a scalable solution that other divisions and indeed other industries, can replicate.
The project strengthens Hitachi’s competitiveness by modernising its rail production and demonstrating the value of its integrated digital strategy.
It positions it as a reference case for enterprises seeking to adopt private 5G as the backbone of Industry 4.0.
