voestalpine Railway Systems expands portfolio to include fastening systems

8 March 2023 |

As a globally active railway technology company, voestalpine Railway Systems offers its customers worldwide fully integrated railway solutions for all types of rail transport. With the acquisition of the now renamed company "voestalpine Fastening Systems" (formerly "Plastwil"), the local market leader in fastening systems based in Poland, voestalpine Railway Systems is taking the next decisive step towards becoming a system provider. In future, voestalpine Railway Systems customers will benefit even more intensively from tailor-made, intelligent solutions thanks to in-depth know-how from a single source.

voestalpine Railway Systems is a global pioneer in the field of railway infrastructure and offers high-quality products and services for rails, switches, signalling technology and monitoring applications. Since 1 August 2022, the majority shareholding in the now renamed company "voestalpine Fastening Systems" (formerly "Plastwil") has complemented the product portfolio of the Railway Systems Group: Fastening systems are highly stressed elements in the superstructure of railway facilities. They connect sleepers and rails to each other with a wide variety of clips, screws, underlays and plastic components. Similar to the spring in a car, they are also largely responsible for the downward load transfer.

Market development in Poland

Due to Plastwil's market position, voestalpine Railway Systems will use this acquisition to further intensify market development in Poland, the fourth largest railway market in Europe. In addition, the cooperation is an important step towards completing the product portfolio. It enables voestalpine Railway Systems to offer demand-optimised system solutions for the core business areas of Mixed, High Speed, Heavy Haul and Urban Transportation.

By coordinating the current activities in the field of fastening technology, synergies within the group and its subsidiaries are also to be maximised. The fact that the joint venture combines competences from the fields of metal and plastics via a joint toolmaking shop also contributes strongly to the success of the partnership.

voestalpine Fastening Systems

voestalpine Fastening Systems (formerly Plastwil) is a leading manufacturer of rail surface elements, especially elements for rail sleeper assembly. The company offers high-quality products with guaranteed durability and safety. From design to analysis to laboratory research, voestalpine Fastening Systems employees are committed to continuous development and innovation. The subsidiary of the voestalpine Railway Systems Group stands for premium products that offer the best resistance to load, have the highest damping coefficients, the highest quality and the most economical efficiency of use. All rail fastening systems are characterised by quick and easy assembly. The company has been active in the railway industry and plastic injection moulding since 1983.

Product and process competence are continuously developed thanks to cooperation with leading scientific researchers. The effect of the dynamically conducted research programme is further patent applications that have been made over the years. The result of the joint work is innovative products of high quality that meet demanding international standards.

voestalpine Fastening Systems (formerly Plastwil) has been a leading manufacturer of outstanding elements for the assembly of rails and sleepers for more than 35 years. The company has been able to establish itself through valuable research collaborations and innovations as a brand that is a symbol of high quality, with guaranteed durability and the greatest possible safety.