Think Railways

PKP Cargo and Greenbrier Europe Wagony Świdnica signed a letter of intent on the production of wagons on 1 July. PKP Cargo will invest nearly PLN 11.5 million in the start-up of the production line. The production will employ about 150 people from PKP Cargo and the labour market and will begin in the first quarter of 2016. The company plans to manufacture up to 500 wagons per year.

As part of this cooperation, Greenbrier will provide the necessary documentation, technology, quality control standards and production line equipment. PKP CARGOTABOR, the company in the PKP CARGO Group, will provide qualified production and administrative staff and workshop facilities.

The production line will be built in the CARGOTABOR Rolling Stock Repair Plant in Szczecin. It has the appropriate office space and technical facilities. Ultimately, the plant will manufacture about 500 wagons a year. In the first phase of the project, the plant will produce goods wagons, i.e. wagons for transporting bulk goods, and after reaching the planned production capacity, also other types of wagons.

“In the next 10 years, PKP Cargo will replace its rolling stock. The start of production of wagons within the PKP CARGO Group will allow for meeting our needs and make the most of own workshop facilities. By partnering with a world-class manufacturer of rolling stock, we can have access to the latest wagon production technologies. After the consolidation of operations and the introduction of modern management methods, this is another step in the development of PKP CARGOTABOR”, says Member of the Management in charge of Operations at PKP CARGO Wojciech Derda.

PKP CARGOTABOR was established in 2014 through a merger of rolling stock companies in the PKP CARGO Group. As a result of consolidation activities, the company created a network of 15 professional divisions specializing in specific activities related to periodic inspections of wagons, locomotives and current repairs. The company also introduced modern management methods (so-called lean management, used in Toyota factories), which raised effectiveness in each location. Currently, PKP CARGOTABOR employs over 2.5 thousand people.

PKP CARGO has over 61.5 thousand freight wagons. Majority of them are over 25 years old. By replacing the rolling stock, PKP Cargo will adapt wagons to its current needs and lower their maintenance cost.

At the end of 2013, PKP Cargo bought 330 modern wagons for transport of containers. The company also modernizes its diesel locomotives, and in 2015 it called for tenders with a value of about PLN 400 million to purchase 20 multi-system locomotives to operate cross-border connections.