Vossloh Bendigo rail plant boosts regional manufacturing

The Vossloh Bendigo rail plant marks a major upgrade to the German rail specialist’s manufacturing base in regional Victoria, supported by a $25 million investment.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The new facility comes on the 150th anniversary of Vossloh’s operations in the region — a milestone also noted by Austrade — and reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to Australian rail manufacturing.

Vossloh Bendigo rail plant anchors regional Victoria rail manufacturing

Backed by federal and state government grants, the Vossloh Bendigo rail manufacturing plant replaces an ageing Castlemaine facility dating from the 1950s, according to Manufacturers’ Monthly. The upgrade is intended to deliver major productivity gains and additional capacity across the company’s Australian operations, supporting regional Victoria rail manufacturing for both public and private networks.

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Vossloh Cogifer Australia, operating as part of the global Vossloh Group, manufactures specialist rail switch systems and turnouts for networks across the country, as previously covered by Railway Supply.

Its equipment is supplied to 14 rail authorities and major private rail systems, including heavy-haul mining routes in Australia where ore trains longer than two kilometres run with axle loads of up to 44 tonnes.

Specialist rail switch systems and a growing Bendigo workforce

Australian general manager Boris Rozentoul said the choice to remain in regional Victoria was deliberate. He highlighted Victoria’s highly skilled workforce, the available infrastructure and support from all levels of government as key reasons for keeping production in the region.

The new 21st century production facility has been set up with a fully optimised workflow and is expected to rank among the best factories in the Vossloh Group, with the company forecasting a 40–50 per cent increase in machining capacity once operations are fully ramped up.

This Vossloh investment in the regional Victoria rail industry is aimed at delivering faster, more efficient production for customers across Australia.

Each project Vossloh Cogifer Australia delivers is bespoke and tailored to a client’s specific requirements, which demands extensive technical expertise and sophisticated machine programming capabilities.

The company currently employs around 60 people at the Bendigo site, about 20 per cent of whom are women, and plans to expand its workforce while increasing vocational training opportunities to support future skills needs in rail switch systems and turnouts.

Rozentoul also noted that local manufacturing brings clear advantages for customers when issues arise on the network. Because production is based in Bendigo, Vossloh’s engineers can reach a project site within hours if needed, which can make a significant difference for customers and operators that rely on continuous service.

Sustainable rail manufacturing with solar power and Austrade investment support

Sustainability is a core feature of the new development. The Bendigo facility includes a 228 kW solar installation that is designed to double in capacity as part of the company’s focus on sustainable rail manufacturing with solar power. This local initiative sits alongside Vossloh’s broader sustainability strategy and aligns with the company’s recognition through a 2024 German Sustainability Award for innovation in rail infrastructure.

Austrade has supported Vossloh’s investment journey in Australia through introductions, site visits and international engagement, helping to build a strong business case for expansion.

According to Austrade investment director Eva Pannhausen, Vossloh illustrates how global companies can bolster Australia’s rail sector by investing in local capability and regional skills, with the Vossloh Bendigo rail plant playing an important role in that regional growth story.

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