
Plasser & Theurer has a rich history that dates back to 1957, when Austrian engineer Josef Plasser founded the company in Vienna.
The company's early focus was on developing innovative solutions for railway maintenance and construction.
In the 1960s, Plasser & Theurer began to establish itself as a leading manufacturer of rail grinding machines.
Their first rail grinder, the Plasser & Theurer 06-16, was a groundbreaking machine that set the standard for the industry.
The company's commitment to innovation has continued to drive its growth and success over the years.
Plasser & Theurer has expanded its product range to include a wide range of machines and systems for railway maintenance and construction.
Today, the company is a global leader in its field, with a presence in over 100 countries around the world.
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Company History and Philosophy
Plasser & Theurer was established in 1953 by a group of nine people, including Josef Theurer, the company's first CEO.
Theurer played a key role in managing the business over the following six decades. He was instrumental in shaping the company's direction and vision.
Plasser & Theurer has a dedicated R&D division that builds and tests prototypes, as well as continuously assessing various technologies from outside of the traditional rail sector.
By the mid-2000s, the company held roughly 3,000 patents, a testament to its commitment to innovation.
The company has delivered more than 13,000 machines to 103 countries by 2006, making it a global leader in the rail industry.
Plasser & Theurer secured Chinese orders for mechanised maintenance equipment, such as for the Beijing Subway, during the 2000s.
The company accounted for 6% of all Austrian exports of the machinery, and iron, and steel construction industry by 2009.
In the 2010s, Plasser & Theurer built its first track maintenance machines for the German railway infrastructure company DB Netz.
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has been a repeat customer, signing multiple long term leasing contracts with the company.
Plasser & Theurer underwent restructuring in the late 2010s, orientating itself towards the core business of designing and producing track maintenance machines.
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The company appointed a new chief operating officer, Dr Daniel Siedl, and a new chief technical officer, Dr Winfried Büdenbender, in 2019.
In 2021, Plasser & Theurer merged its service organisation with Robel's business unit Service & Support (S&S) to form Plasser Robel Services GmbH (PRS), which comprises 250 employees at three locations.
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Industry Recognition and Partnerships
Plasser & Theurer has made significant strides in the industry, earning recognition for their innovative approaches to track maintenance and sustainable services.
Their commitment to cost-effective track maintenance is evident in their innovations that have made a real impact on the industry.
Plasser & Theurer also offers customized training to help clients get the most out of their machine fleet.
Their focus on sustainability is reflected in their services for machine fleets.
Here are some key areas where Plasser & Theurer is making a difference:
- Cost-effective track maintenance through innovations
- Customized training for optimal machine performance
- Sustainable services for machine fleets
Railway Technology and Innovation
Plasser & Theurer has been a leader in railway technology for 70 years, driven by a desire for sustainable, long-term success. The company has developed numerous innovations in track maintenance, holding 936 patents in tamping technology alone.
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Their machines are used in 110 countries, with the largest sales markets including Germany, the USA, India, the UK, and Japan. Plasser & Theurer has manufactured 17,800 track maintenance machines since 1953.
The company's commitment to innovation is evident in their latest product, the Plasser Tamping Assistant, a virtual AI pro that creates recommendations for action and automates the positioning of working units. This digital assistant makes operation less complex, increases working speed, and ensures consistently high quality.
Plasser & Theurer's focus on digitalization and greening of the infrastructure is crucial in future-proofing the railway system. The use of AI in track maintenance is particularly important to compensate for the shortage of skilled labor.
Here are some key facts about Plasser & Theurer's machine fleet:
- Innovations for cost-effective track maintenance
- Customized training
- On track to autonomous track maintenance
- Sustainable services for your machine fleet
The Plasser MultiCrafter 12.5 E³ C/I is a prime example of their commitment to efficient ancillary work along the railway line, as seen in the Zurich Transport Network (ZVV) project.
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