Four regional railway manufacturing plants, 1100 employees and a successful expansion of the geographical footprint are the results of the first two years of TMH International presence on the global rail market.
Created in 2018, the company has 1100 employees and is operating in six countries – Argentina, South Africa, Cuba, Egypt, Hungary, and Kazakhstan, on three continents.
The Russian company has formed joint ventures with local companies, and it has invested in the in industrial facilities in Argentina (Mechita), South Africa (Boksburg), Kazakhstan, and Hungary (Dunakeszi) to serve the larger regional markets with their different rail standards.
“Our business model is based on partnerships with local players who introduce us to the market, customers and local specifics. We aim at reaching the highest possible level of localisation, while keeping a very light management structure at our Swiss headquarter. This is our key differentiator,” Hans Schabert, President of TMH International, noted.
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company is also implementing projects creating partnerships with Bombardier and Progress Rail in South Africa for the refurbishment and sub-assembly of locomotives. Recently, five freight locomotives were refurbished for Progress Rail and started the operation earlier this year. They are operated by OneRail on the dedicated iron ore line in Whyalla. The company has also a strong partnership with Alstom and Wabtec for the manufacturing of electric and diesel locos in Kazakhstan, and for the supply of parts and key components in Russia.
In Europe, TMH International has recently completed the acquisition of the Dunakeszi rail facility in Hungary, where the Stadler EMUs and CAF trams are assembled. The site is serving as a regional manufacturing and services hub for Eastern Europe.
In Cuba and Egypt, the company is supplying rolling stock to the operators to replace the ageing fleets, increase the reliability and providing passenger high level of safety and security.
In Argentina, TMH International developed two key competences. The repair and maintenance of rolling stock manufactured by CRRC, specifically for SOFSE state-owned operator, and depot management, with now four depots run by TMH on behalf of NCA freight company to provide light maintenance and preparation to operations of their fleet.
In Egypt, the company has signed a EUR 1 billion contract for the supply of 1300 passenger coaches, the largest ever rolling stock order in the history of the Egyptian National Railways. The first new passenger coaches were delivered in June at Alexandria Port and it has entered commercial services starting 1st of July.
The company intends to strengthen its brand and its position on the railway markets in Europe, Africa and Latin America. “At TMH, we believe that each country in the world deserves its own rail industry. Our approach is to choose a specific country and to develop the rail industry, ensuring the production, supply, and maintenance of all types of rolling stock for all types of infrastructure to all possible customers. The big export model is no longer on the agenda,” Kirill Lipa, the CEO of TMH Group said.
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