Gemco Rail Joins the 2025 Mai-Wel Employer Ambassador Network

Gemco Rail is pleased to announce our official membership in Mai-Wel’s 2025 Employer Ambassador Network — a community-driven initiative dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities.

As a Mai-Wel Ambassador, Gemco Rail is committed to creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In collaboration with Mai-Wel we provide valuable job opportunities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.

Celebrating the Launch

On November 13th, we attended the official launch event at The Whistler, Maitland. Steve Nicou, Gemco Rail Telarah Workshop and Safety Supervisor, shared insights into our partnership with Mai-Wel and the positive impact it has had on both our workforce and the individuals we employ.
A standout of the event was the premiere of a video interview featuring Hannah, one of our dedicated team members, who shared her inspiring journey at Gemco Rail. Her story highlights how partnerships like this create real opportunities and lasting change.

Looking Ahead

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. Being part of the Mai-Wel Employer Ambassador Network reflects our dedication to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment where all employees feel safe and valued.
For more information about the positive impact Mai-Wel Ehas on our community visit The Mai-Wel Group – Hunter Valley Disability Services

Pictured left -CEO Mai-Wel John Cleary, Gemco Rail – Brianna Reid, General Manager Employment Pathways – Kyllie Tegg, Gemco Rail Service Delivery Manager –  Michael Rae, Hannah Fallon, Mai-Wel Business Development and Partnership Specialist Louise Fernie, Gemco Rail Workshop and Safety Supervisor – Steven Nicou, Mai-Wel Business Development and Partnership Specialist James Holder.


Celebrating local manufacturing in Western Australia

The West Australian sun turned up the heat as the Gemco Rail team welcome local dignitaries and valued customer representatives to recognise our business capabilities as a local iron ore wagon manufacturer in Western Australia.

We welcomed:

Mr Stephen Price, MLA, Member for Forrestfield
Mr John Ipsen, Executive Director, Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Mr Peter Cox, Senior Project Officer, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation; and
representatives from our valued West Australian mining customer.

We were pleased to showcase the work our team are delivering to our valuable customers. Having recently delivered our first tranche of wagons; the team have now turned to the production of our second tranche of wagons. As we reach full production in the coming months, our team will
expand to deliver the iron ore wagons, from our flagship facility Forrestfield.

The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation continues to support Gemco’s operations both in Forrestfield and our soon to be operational Rollingstock and Rotable Facility in Karratha, WA.


Gemco Rail continue to support The Mai-Wel Group

Gemco Rail is proud to share that we were awarded Employer of the Year 2023, at the inaugural The Mai-Wel Group awards night.

This award was presented to Gemco Rail for:

– Leading inclusion and diversity in our workforce.
– Identifying barriers to employment and supporting employees to succeed.
– Providing opportunities and support to employees to achieve their goals.

Gemco Rail have been partnering with The Mai-Wel Group to support the LabourForce Solutions division and the WorkForce Australia – Transition to Work Program with plans to continue this partnership into the future.

Geoff Thorn, Gemco’s Executive General Manager said this award is “recognition and a testament to the social connection and standing the team has within the local community.”

We look forward to continuing to support The Mai-Wel Group in providing work placement opportunities in our community.

Pictured Left – Louise Fernie – Business Development and Partnership Specialist – Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions, James Holder Business Development – Workforce Australia and Brianna Reid from Gemco Rail.

 


Gemco Rail Pilbara Partnership

Engenco is pleased to announce that Gemco Rail will bring local iron ore rail car manufacturing and bearing maintenance to the Pilbara region in an industry-first.

Gemco Rail will partner with Rio Tinto, and Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock (QRRS), supported by the Western Australian State Government to bring local iron ore rail car manufacturing and bearing maintenance to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Over a six-year period Gemco will build 100 iron ore rail cars for Rio Tinto with the initial tranche of 40 iron wagons to be delivered in 2024 built at Gemco’s Forrestfield facility, while a suitable location in the Pilbara is selected and developed.

Upon commissioning of the new Karratha facility, in an industry-first, Gemco will transition Rio Tinto ore car manufacturing and bearing reconditioning activities to the new facility to support Pilbara operations. Gemco will deliver 10 wagons per year, to replace retired wagons from Rio Tinto’s fleet while continuing to refurbish bearings, from the new facility.

Geoff Thorn, Gemco Rail’s Executive General Manager said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for our team at Gemco Rail to showcase our capabilities for our customer Rio Tinto.”

The partnership with Rio Tinto, QRRS and the State Government could not be possible without the dedication and high standard of work of the entire Gemco Rail team, including our engineering and sales teams.

Thank you all for your commitment to secure this important contract for our business, and for local West Australian manufacturing.

Well done.”

The West Australian Premier Hon Roger Cook, along with the ​​​​​​​Member for Belmont Cassie Rowe MLA, ​​​​​​​Member for the Pilbara Kevin Michel MLA, Senior members of Rio Tinto and a representative from QRRS joined Engenco’s Chief Executive Officer Dean Draper and Gemco Rail’s Executive General Manager, Geoff Thorn on site on Tuesday 13th June to celebrate this industry first.

For the full ASX announcement click here.


Gemco Rail announces new wagon build contract

Gemco Rail is pleased to announce that we have executed a contract with Arc Infrastructure Pty Ltd (Arc) to design, supply, and commission 20 specialised rail wagons. These wagons will be used to transport ballast for rail track construction and maintenance works across Arc’s freight rail network in Western Australia.

The project is expected to be delivered over a 20-month period, including a prototype in FY23 and production units in FY24. Gemco Rail will leverage its experienced engineering and project teams, coupled with highly skilled rollingstock technicians to assemble the wagons at its flagship facility in Forrestfield, Western Australia. These wagons will be designed to operate across all West Australian rail networks using standard and narrow-gauge configurations interchangeably and will also incorporate Gemco Rail’s innovative remote controlled ballast gating system to enhance operating efficiency and safety.

Gemco Rail’s extensive rail capabilities have positioned the business to serve the attractive, niche new rollingstock market, and reaffirms our reputation as Australia’s leading, independent supplier of quality rollingstock products and services.

This contract capitalises on Gemco Rail’s strategic alliances with our global partners in the supply of world-class rollingstock components, which are designed to operate in some of the harshest operating environments in the world and bodes well for future wagon build opportunities.

For project updates or to discuss any rail wagon supply requirements please contact Jim Griffiths, General Manager Sales & Business Development sales@gemcorail.com.au


Gemco Rail proudly supporting TrackSAFE Foundation

At Gemco Rail we prioritse the healthy, safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers, every day, but our commitment to safety does not stop there.

We are a proud supporter of the TrackSAFE Foundation and the important work they do to help reduce fatalities and injuries on the Australian rail network, increase community awareness around rail safety and by supporting the wellbeing of employees within our industry.

Executive General Manager, Geoff Thorn shared his thoughts on supporting the Foundation.

“In our discussions with the TrackSAFE team, we were truly amazed by the scale of the rail safety activities being undertaken by TrackSAFE to promote safety awareness across the rail industry. For Gemco, it was a very easy decision for us to throw our support behind the great work they are doing and we’re proud to be a TrackSAFE Corporate Supporter.”

The Foundation coordinates and encourages participation in key industry events.

Rail R U OK? Day focuses on the wellbeing of our employees. Gemco Rail will show it’s support for this worthy cause by hosting events across the country on the 28th April, and taking the time to ask each other R U Ok?

Community awareness around rail safety is highlighted through Rail Safety Week, held in August each year, to engage the community in safe rail practices.

At Gemco Rail we are committed to working in an industry where our people, our customers and our communities’ safety are the number one priority.

For further information about TrackSAFE visit Working together to save lives. – TrackSAFE Foundation


Gemco Rail recognised for 20 years membership

Gemco Rail – National Sales Manager Mr. Jim Griffiths was presented with a 20 year membership award from RTAA – President Thomas Kerr at the recent RTAA Annual Dinner on the 3rd April 2019.

About RTAA:

The Rail Track Association Australia, (RTAA), is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to pursuing and promoting the interests of rail infrastructure within the Australian community. With a proud history which began in 1973, the RTAA brings together owners, contractors, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, academics, research and development personnel, regulators and individuals who are part of the Australian rail community. Membership is invited from individuals, corporations, government bodies, tertiary education and institutions.


New Partnership Aids ANZ Rail Customers

Higher Power Industries (HPI) and Gemco Rail (Gemco) have announced the execution of a Strategic Partnership Agreement for the distribution of locomotive parts and components to the Australian and New Zealand markets. This exclusive Agreement designates Gemco Rail as its authorized stockist and distributor of HPI Rail’s overall locomotive product line, leveraging Gemco’s strategic footprint and technical sales support for its ANZ rail customers.

HPI is a world-leading provider of locomotive services for the rail market. HPI also specializes in innovative engineering and modernization solutions for the freight rail transportation markets. Having serviced customers across 5 continents, HPI continues to seek global growth through expanded offerings.

“Our partnership with Gemco Rail, a recognized leading provider of components and services in the ANZ rail market, better aligns our efforts to support our mutual rail customers in Australia and New Zealand”, said HPI’s Gary Walsh, VP of Business Development.

With Gemco’s extensive national footprint and warehousing support in Melbourne, Perth, Newcastle, and Brisbane, Gemco will support sales and distribution of HPI products. This includes creating tailored supply chain solutions, targeting reduced lead times, improving working capital management and increasing supply chain flexibility.

“We are delighted with this agreement to be HPI’s preferred channel to the Australian and New Zealand rail markets. HPI’s broad locomotive product portfolio coupled with Gemco Rail’s customer-focused supply chain solutions positions us well to better serve our ANZ customers” said Geoff Thorn, Gemco Rail’s Executive General Manager.

Higher Power Industries is a global provider of freight and passenger locomotive services, including overhaul, upgrade, renewal parts, engineering and project management. HPI’s unique service offering provides its customers access to industry-renowned technical expertise and customer support, coupled with a direct line of supply of high-quality OEM and OEM-equivalent aftermarket renewal parts.

Gemco Rail is part of ASX listed Engenco Limited. Gemco is a leading independent supplier of rolling stock products & services to the Australian and New Zealand rail industry specialising in the supply, maintenance and overhaul of wagons, locomotives, passenger cars and rolling stock components and track maintenance equipment.


Gemco Rail receives formal certification from Amsted Rail

Gemco Rail – Executive General Manager Mr. Geoff Thorn is presented formal certification from Amsted Rail – Vice President Commercial Southern Hemisphere Mr. Arun Dhir as the sole authorised Australian and New Zealand reconditioner for Brenco Bearings.

Gemco Rail and Amsted Rail announced the execution of a Strategic Partnership Agreement for the distribution of Amsted Rail products to the Australian and New Zealand markets in January 2017.


New partnership aids ANZ Rail Customers

Amsted Rail and Gemco Rail have announced the execution of a Strategic Partnership Agreement for the distribution of Amsted Rail freight wagon products to the Australian and New Zealand markets. This exclusive Agreement designates Gemco Rail as its authorized stockist and distributor of Amsted Rail’s wagon products, leveraging Gemco’s strategic footprint and technical sales support for its ANZ rail customers.

Amsted Rail is the world’s leading manufacturer of bogie systems, tapered roller bearings, railway wheels, couplers, yokes, draft gears, and conventional brake products, for use in heavy haul freight wagons and locomotives. Amsted Rail has more than forty locations around the world. Amsted Rail has been providing innovative component designs for the freight rail transportation markets for over a century.

“Our partnership with Gemco Rail, a recognized leading provider of components and services in the ANZ rail market, better aligns our efforts to support our mutual rail customers in Australia and New Zealand”, said Brad A. Myers, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, for Amsted Rail.

With Gemco Rail’s extensive national footprint and warehousing support in Melbourne, Perth, Port Hedland, Newcastle, and Brisbane, Gemco will jointly support sales and distribution of Amsted Rail products. This includes creating tailored supply chain solutions targeting reduced lead times, improving working capital management, and increasing supply chain flexibility.

“We are delighted with this agreement to be Amsted’s preferred channel to the Australian and New Zealand rail markets. Amsted’s broad, technology-based product portfolio coupled with Gemco Rail’s customer-focused supply chain solutions, positions us well to better serve our ANZ customers” said Geoff Thorn, Gemco Rail’s Executive General Manager.