Astana locomotive factory to double its capacity
American company Wabtec has taken all necessary actions to expand the manufacturing capabilities of the Locomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty (LKZ) in Astana. As a result, the factory’s capacity will be doubled. Vice President of Wabtec Gokhan Bayhan made this statement during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov.
According to Bayhan, the company is going to expand the list of items produced locally, introduce green technologies, improve maintenance service and intensify exports to other Central Asian states.
In turn, Smailov has confirmed that the country’s cabinet is fully committed to supporting Wabtec’s investment plans.
LKZ started its operation in February 2010. The factory produces diesel freight locomotives ТE33А (based on the Evolution ES44ACi model, specially designed for 1520 millimeter gauge railways. In 2020, the factory, which has a capacity of 100 freight locomotives, produced first prototypes of new generation diesel freight locomotives ТEМ11А, designed by Wabtec.
As of December 31, 2021, Wabtec controlled 50% of the factory’s shares via its subsidiary in the Netherlands Wabtec Transportation Engines Holding B.V. The remaining 50% shares belong to TMH International AG in Switzerland, a part of Russian Transmashholding. In 2021, LKZ sold 25 freight and 18 passenger diesel locomotives to Kazakhstan Railways. Over the period from 2010 to 2021, the factory sold 416 locomotives including 35 locomotives that were exported abroad.
