Australia’s manufacturing sector is set to benefit from a major new investment, with Austrade reporting that German-based rail manufacturer Vossloh has opened a new AUS 25 million advanced manufacturing facility in Bendigo.
In a news release, Austrade said the opening coincided with Vossloh’s 150th anniversary of specialist rail manufacturing in regional Victoria.
The upgraded plant introduces new machinery, automation and workflow optimisation, supported by grants from both the Australian and Victorian governments.
Vossloh, which traces its Australian origins to Thompsons of Castlemaine in 1875, is a manufacturer of highly specialised railway switch systems and turnouts for public and private rail networks nationwide.
Australian General Manager Boris Rozentoul said remaining in regional Victoria was a deliberate and straightforward decision.
“Victoria has a highly skilled workforce, the right infrastructure and support across all levels of government,” Rozentoul said.
“The commitment and determination from our Vossloh team, support from the local business community and the Bendigo City Council ensured we found the right plot of land for our new facility.”
Rozentoul said the new plant is expected to boost machining capacity by up to 50 per cent. “Our 21st century production facility will have a fully optimised workflow. It’s going to be one of the best factories in the Vossloh group,” he said.
Austrade noted that Vossloh is one of only two global manufacturers of the complex switch systems that allow trains to move between tracks.
The company supplies 14 rail authorities and private rail operators across Australia, including heavy-haul mining and high-speed passenger networks.
Rozentoul said Australia remains a strong growth market. “As well as the high volume of work on Australia’s railway network already planned or underway, we see strong macroeconomic indicators,” he said, adding that rail infrastructure will continue to play an essential role in freight, mining and mass transport.
The Bendigo site currently employs around 60 people, with the new facility expected to support workforce expansion and increase diversity.
“We’re able to offer people in the region access to well-paid manufacturing jobs and training in cutting-edge technologies,” Rozentoul said.
According to Austrade, Vossloh is also advancing sustainability across its operations. The company has integrated a 228kW solar system into the new factory, with capacity to double generation in future.
“It’s just part of normal operations to consider how we can reduce carbon or find a greener solution,” Rozentoul said.
Austrade said it supported Vossloh’s investment journey, facilitating introductions and helping the company assess Australia’s business environment. “That support from Austrade and the Australian embassies has helped increase our visibility across the globe,” Rozentoul said.
Austrade Investment Director Eva Pannhausen said Vossloh’s expansion demonstrates the value global firms bring to Australia’s rail and manufacturing sectors.
“Vossloh is a global rail leader bringing its state-of-the-art technology to Australia and have consistently demonstrated a commitment to local communities and empowering a regional workforce,” she said.
