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.