JWL and Tatravagonka Unveil India’s First Export-Ready Railwheel Manufacturing Hub

Aurangabad, India – Jupiter Wagons Ltd (JWL), in partnership with Tatravagonka a.s., is proud to announce the inauguration of the Jupiter Tatravagonka Railwheel Factory, the newly renamed Bonatrans India wheelset plant, located in the Shendra Five Star Industrial Area, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). This inauguration comes after JWL’s acquisition of Bonatrans India Pvt Ltd earlier this year, marking a key milestone in its expansion and transformation into a global supplier of wheelsets.

The acquisition of Bonatrans India has placed JWL at the forefront of railway rolling stock manufacturing, with the Jupiter Tatravagonka Railwheel Factory being the first facility in India to produce wheelsets for both local consumption and export. This strategic move is designed to reduce India's dependency on imported wheelsets and meet the increasing demands of both the Indian rail sector and global markets. With an initial production capacity of 1,000 wheelsets per month, the company plans to ramp up production to 5,000 per month within the next two years.

In addition to the inauguration, Jupiter Wagons also announces a strategic partnership with Schuler India for the supply of cutting-edge forging machinery, enhancing the plant’s capabilities and solidifying its role as a critical manufacturing hub for the rail industry. This collaboration aims to support JWL’s production scaling to meet both local demand and growing export opportunities.

The event saw the senior leadership from Jupiter Wagons Ltd, Tatravagonka a.s., Andritz, and Schuler India in unison, emphasizing the significance of this alliance and the potential for future growth.

Highlighting the significance of this acquisition, Vivek Lohia, Managing Director, Jupiter Wagons Ltd, says, “Our acquisition of Bonatrans earlier this year is a game-changer, enabling us to create an integrated supply chain for rail components, and marking the birth of the Jupiter Tatravagonka Railwheel Factory. Traditionally, India has relied on imports for these critical components, but with this plant, we now have the capacity to manufacture them domestically at scale, improving both cost efficiency and supply chain security. This inauguration is a signal of our commitment to pioneering rail wheel & axle manufacturing in India. We are moving towards a future where India is not only self-reliant in this sector but also a key supplier to the world. This facility, backed by advanced technology and strategic partnerships, will play a crucial role in fulfilling that vision.”

Further elaborating on the company’s global strategy, he adds, “Our alliance with Schuler India strengthens our technological edge in wheelset manufacturing. Schuler's advanced forging machinery will enable us to produce world-class wheelsets that not only meet the stringent requirements of domestic projects like metro systems and the Vande Bharat trains but also set new standards for global exports.”

JWL’s acquisition of Bonatrans India and its subsequent transformation into the Jupiter Tatravagonka Railwheel Factory is a critical step toward building an independent and scalable rail manufacturing ecosystem in India. With all necessary licenses and certifications already in place, the plant is well-positioned to contribute to high-profile projects, both within India and internationally.

Image Source: Jupiter Wagons Ltd (JWL)

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