In April 2025, Vossloh celebrated 150 years of specialist rail manufacturing in regional Victoria. It marked the anniversary by opening a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Bendigo.
The new premises represent a A$25 million investment in new facilities, machinery and automation. Vossloh’s investment was also supported by grants from the Australian and Victorian governments.
Invested in regional Victoria
Vossloh traces its origins to Thompsons of Castlemaine, founded in 1875. By 1880 it was tendering to supply points and crossings to Victorian Railways. One and a half centuries later, Vossloh Cogifer Australia (Vossloh Switch Systems) is part of the German-headquartered Vossloh Group.
It continues to manufacture specialist railway switch systems and turnouts, and supplies public and private railway networks across Australia from its plant in regional Victoria.
The most recent premises in Castlemaine were built in the 1950s and needed major upgrades to technology and workflow to equip it for modern manufacturing. Vossloh may have outgrown the premises, but there was no question it would remain in the region, says Australian General Manager Boris Rozentoul.
‘Victoria has a highly skilled workforce, the right infrastructure and support across all levels of government, including the local councils,’ says Rozentoul. ‘This is why it was an easy decision to stay. 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.
‘Our 21st century production facility will have a fully optimised workflow,’ he says. ‘It’s going to be one of the best factories in the Vossloh group. We expect to achieve a 40–50% increase in machining capacity.’
Bespoke production processes for highly specialised systems
The Vossloh Group is one of only 2 global manufacturers of the switches and track turnouts that enable trains to move from one track to another.
The manufacturing work is both highly technical and specialised. In Australia, Vossloh supplies 14 railway authorities and privately owned railway systems such as those connecting remote mines to the ports.
Switch components must support multiple different gauges and applications. Switches may need to stand up to the weight of 2-kilometre-long ore trains carrying up to 44 tonnes per axle. On a high-speed rail network, they may need to enable trains to switch tracks at 160 kilometres an hour.
Each project is bespoke, and the plant can recalibrate to a wide range of specifications.
Vossloh is opening a new, A$25 million state-of-the-art plant in Bendigo, Victoria, where it will manufacture specialist railway switch systems and turnouts.
Building transport infrastructure for the future
Vossloh sees Australia as a highly promising future growth market, says Rozentoul. The group is committed to maintaining its present operations and is looking for opportunities for other business divisions.
‘As well as the high volume of work on Australia’s railway network already planned or underway, we see strong macroeconomic indicators,’ he says.
Rail infrastructure is a key part of the transportation mix, for mining, freight and mass transport.
‘Those volumes won’t disappear,’ says Rozentoul. ‘Existing rail infrastructure needs to be upgraded, and we need to increase the speed of building new infrastructure to provide transport now and into the future.’
Growing a skilled regional workforce
Vossloh’s adaptable production processes demand technical skills from its workforce.
In addition to trade qualifications, team members need considerable workplace experience to program the machines and operate them safely. Vossloh provides extensive on-the-job training. It is also looking for opportunities to extend local vocational training opportunities.
Vossloh currently employs around 60 staff in Bendigo. Twenty per cent of the workforce at the Bendigo facility is female. The company expects to increase staffing levels and is hoping to attract a more diverse workforce, including more female operators, with its newly equipped premises.
‘We’re able to offer people in the region access to well-paid manufacturing jobs and training in cutting-edge technologies,’ says Rozentoul.
Clients also benefit from a local skilled workforce. ‘Our engineers can be onsite on a project within hours if needed, which can make a significant difference if there’s an issue.’
Towards more sustainable operations
Vossloh was awarded the German Sustainability Award in 2024 for its achievements in sustainable, innovative and efficient solutions in the field of rail infrastructure.
The company has adopted sustainability as a line of thinking, notes Rozentoul. ‘It’s just part of normal operations to consider how we can reduce carbon or find a greener solution.’
The Bendigo factory will be equipped with a 228kW solar system and has been designed to double that capacity if needed.
Austrade support to build business case for investment
Austrade’s willingness to learn more about Vossloh’s operations and make key connections has been invaluable. ‘That support from Austrade and the Australian embassies has helped increase our visibility across the globe,’ says Rozentoul.
Austrade has also facilitated introductions, including visiting Vossloh headquarters in Werdohl, North Rhine-Westphalia, and invitations for Vossloh executives to meet the Australian Prime Ministerial and embassy staff in Germany.
‘That kind of access helped our executives in Germany understand Australia’s investment policy and the business case for investment in Australia,’ he adds.
Vossloh exemplifies how international firms can support the growth and modernisation of Australia’s local rail sector, shares Eva Pannhausen, Austrade’s Investment Director in Frankfurt.
‘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.’
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