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Plasser & Theurer
High capacity | Precision | Reliability

Like any road, ballasted track also requires regular maintenance. The mechanisation of track maintenance is one of the most interesting success stories of the 20th century. Within a period of around 50 years the development from purely manual labour to fully mechanised working methods has been achieved. An Austrian company influenced this evolution: Plasser & Theurer.

What began in 1953 in a small workshop in Linz, brought fundamental changes to the world of railway engineering. Plasser & Theurer supplied the first track tamping machine to the Austrian Federal Railways and this was the beginning of the age of mechanised track maintenance.

At that time the firm consisted of nine men. Today 1,650 persons are employed in Austria. In total more than 14,700 heavy-duty machines have been supplied to 106 countries since 1953. They are built in the firm's own factories and in those of the partner firms in ten countries throughout the world. In addition to this, machines are also manufactured under licence and on the basis of cooperation agreements.

Leading position on the market

Today, machines built by Plasser & Theurer are in operation on all major railways around the world. The mobile factories produce high-quality work in the millimetre range. All high-speed lines were and still are built, upgraded and maintained using Plasser & Theurer machines. To assure this leading position and to prevail against the growing competition, innovation remains an important part of the company philosophy. Virtually all milestones in the development of mechanised track maintenance are based on ideas and designs by Plasser & Theurer

Concentration on the core competence

From the beginning, Plasser & Theurer has concentrated exclusively on the development and production of machines and vehicles for the mechanisation of track maintenance. In the first instance the focus was on solutions for track laying, track maintenance and track recording. In the 1980s the activities were extended to included machines for the installation and the maintenance of overhead catenary systems.

At Plasser & Theurer concentration on this specialised field means the limitation to a clearly defined range of products. Within this field, Plasser & Theurer is the only enterprise that can offer for all major working processes not only a complete range of individual machines, but also entire systems. This means that the railway operators are offered the assurance of obtaining the ideally configured overall solution for every requirement.

Members of staff as the key to success

The most important foundation for this success were and are the outstanding qualifications of the members of staff and their special commitment to the company. There are certainly few enterprises world wide like Plasser & Theurer where continuity in the staff policy plays such a dominant role. This security, that has been assured since the firm was first founded, is given in return by the members of staff in the form of commitment and flexibility. Moreover, this guarantees that valuable experience is accumulated in a continuous process.

More than 2,000 patents in force

At Plasser & Theurer this specialisation in the core area is coupled with an exemplary openness for all relevant developments on the market. A continuous dialogue with the railway engineers on the job and an open ear for new customer requirements are therefore factors that cannot be valued highly enough for the success of the enterprise.

The consequence of this is a technological advance that can be measured in years in certain areas. More than 2,000 patents in force assure this technological advance. The firm operates a research and testing department in order to uphold this standing. This department carries out basic research in the railway engineering sector as well as the further development and testing of machines. The internationally recognised specialists maintain close contacts with universities, research institutes and with the experts of the railway operators.

Progress is worthwhile

Machines built by Plasser & Theurer offer high working speeds, high quality of the work performed and perfect compatibility with the requirements of each individual customer. All factors which directly achieve an increase in cost-efficiency. The savings achieved are astonishing even for comparable investment goods. In earlier times, main tracks had to be corrected once a year, but today maintenance is carried out every five to six years. At the same time, it was possible to raise the working speed from 120 metres per hour to 2,600 metres per hour. Similar advances were achieved in the field of overhead catenary lines. For the renewal of a section of catenary 1500 m long five days were needed but today, thanks to the new catenary renewal train built by Plasser & Theurer, it can be done in one day.

Productivity increases to this extent will of course be expressed in a considerable reduction of costs. The savings achieved for the installation and maintenance of tracks and overhead lines and – not to forget – the cost reductions in train services ensure an amortisation of the machines within the shortest possible time.

High availability thanks to worldwide service

The increasing pressure of time in modern day railway operation and the associated short maintenance windows demand the highest possible availability of the machines. Extreme climatic conditions and the tough operating conditions place high demands on the sturdiness of the track maintenance machines. The assurance of a high level of operational availability is therefore a decisive factor for the cost-efficiency of the machines.

For this reason, Plasser & Theurer has established a worldwide network of service depots, repair workshops and spare parts warehouses. Moreover, with the training centre in Linz and training facilities at the partner firms all over the world, steps have been taken to meet the growing need for dissemination of relevant practically orientated knowledge.

Progress for the future

Plasser & Theurer is one of the leading international manufacturers of track maintenance machines. Plasser & Theurer supplies individual machines and complete systems to all 5 continents of the world. And also influences the development of the technology. Particularly now, when the strictest economic criteria are setting the tone and the pressure of competition is rising, the strengths of the slimly organised company with its highly qualified staff become apparent. As long as progress is on our side, all challenges can be faced. Plasser & Theurer knows this and takes appropriate action.

Plasser & Theurer in brief

• Founded in 1953
• 1,650 employees in Austria
• Range of products: Machines and vehicles for installation, renewal and maintenance of tracks and overhead lines
• Since 1953 more than 14,700 heavy-duty machines supplied to 106 countries
• Parent factory in Linz
• Head office in Vienna
• Partner firms with separate production workshops in 10 countries
• Service, repair and spare part depots all over the world
• Largest sale markets overall: Germany, USA, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, China, Japan, India, Spain, France, Austria, Brazil, Australia
• Customers: railway operators, construction firms, urban transport authorities, industrial and mine railways
• More than 2,000 active patents
• Certified according to ISO 9001