B U I LT O N H E R I TA G E , DRIVEN BY THE FUTURE
B U I LT O N H E R I TA G E , DRIVEN BY THE FUTURE
I’ve always been drawn to manufacturing because it’s an industry where innovation, craftsmanship, and execution come together.” The opening words of Thomas Blechinger, President and CEO of Plasser American Corporation (Plasser), reflect his view that success is measured not by presentations, 2 | Manufacturing Outlook Issue 14
but by the quality of the product, performance in the field, and the trust you earn from your customers. Plasser is a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of railway track maintenance equipment and the North American subsidiary of the Austrian group Plasser & Theurer. Headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, the company has been
serving the North American rail industry for more than 60 years and today employs more than 400 people across manufacturing, engineering, sales, service, and support. “As an OEM, we don’t simply resell or assemble machines – we develop, engineer, design, and manufacture equipment specifically for the unique operating conditions, regulatory
PLASSER AMERICAN CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
Plasser American Corporation doesn’t simply manufacture machines – it partners with customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets, helping them maintain safe, reliable, and efficient rail infrastructure. Thomas Blechinger, President and CEO, tells us more Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Poppi Burke
requirements, and customer needs of the North American market,” Blechinger outlines. “By combining the global technology leadership of Plasser & Theurer with local engineering and manufacturing expertise, we deliver solutions that are purpose-built for freight railroads, transit agencies, passenger rail operators, and
contractors across the continent,” he follows.
TANGIBLE VALUE Today, what continues to motivate Blechinger is that manufacturing creates tangible value. “Every machine we build supports critical infrastructure, improves safety, and helps keep freight and passenger
railroads operating efficiently. “Seeing an idea progress from engineering to the shop floor and ultimately into service with our customers is still incredibly rewarding,” he enthuses. Blechinger’s varied career in manufacturing started with an apprenticeship as an electrical mechanic in Austria over three Manufacturing Outlook Issue 14 | 3
PLASSER AMERICAN CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
decades ago, and that hands-on technical foundation has shaped the way he leads to this day. Across Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America, he has had the opportunity to lead increasingly complex technical and business operations. “Those experiences reinforced my belief that successful manufacturing is built on the combination of engineering excellence, operational discipline and, most importantly, great people,” recalls Blechinger. At present, Plasser’s core business is the design, manufacture, and lifecycle support of highly specialized machines used to build, maintain, and renew railway infrastructure. Its portfolio includes tamping machines, ballast cleaning and management equipment, track renewal systems, material logistics solutions, rail treatment technologies, track geometry measurement systems, and an expanding range
of battery-powered and digitally enabled machines. “Beyond manufacturing, we provide comprehensive aftermarket support, machine overhauls and upgrades, spare parts, operator training, digital fleet solutions, and extensive contracting services throughout the US,” Blechinger lays out.
EXPANDING PORTFOLIO One trend that Plasser is particularly encouraged by is the increasing adoption of digital technologies, automation, and data-driven decision-making. Manufacturers are leveraging predictive maintenance, connected equipment, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics to improve productivity, quality, and customer service. At the same time, there is an increasing interest in more sustainable equipment. “At Plasser, we recently began
production of one of our first battery-powered heavy railway track maintenance machines, representing an important milestone in the evolution of our product portfolio,” Blechinger excites. Meanwhile, alternative propulsion technologies are becoming increasingly important, particularly in urban environments and tunnels. Beyond the environmental benefits, these technologies improve working conditions for crews, especially when operating in confined spaces such as tunnels. Another exciting area is the increasing use of AI and machine vision to automate complex maintenance processes. “Together with Plasser & Theurer, we are developing the next generation of highly automated track maintenance machines that combine visual recognition systems with AI-based machine control,” he informs us.
“SEEING AN IDEA PROGRESS FROM ENGINEERING TO THE SHOP FLOOR A N D U LT I M A T E LY I N T O S E R V I C E W I T H O U R C U S T O M E R S I S S T I L L I N C R E D I B LY R E W A R D I N G ” – T H O M A S B L E C H I N G E R , P R E S I D E N T A N D C E O , P L A S S E R A M E R I C A N C O R P O R AT I O N
The objective for Plasser is to deliver more consistent work quality, optimize outcomes, and significantly reduce the potential for human error by allowing operators to move from continuously controlling the machine to supervising and managing the automated process. Rather than replacing skilled operators, these technologies augment their expertise and enable them to focus on higher-value decision-making. “However, technology alone isn’t the answer. The companies that will lead the next decade are those that
combine advanced manufacturing and innovative product development with a highly skilled workforce and culture of continuous improvement – that’s where lasting competitive advantage is created,” states Blechinger.
BUILT FOR THE FUTURE Several initiatives currently underway at Plasser reflect where the company believes the future of railway infrastructure maintenance is heading. “One of our most exciting milestones is the recent start of production for one of our first
battery-powered heavy railway track maintenance machines. This project represents a significant step in expanding our portfolio of alternative propulsion technologies,” Blechinger highlights. Battery-powered machines are particularly valuable in urban environments and tunnels, where they dramatically reduce noise and completely eliminate diesel emissions. This not only supports customers’ sustainability goals but also creates a healthier and safer working environment for maintenance crews operating in confined spaces. Manufacturing Outlook Issue 14 | 5
PLASSER AMERICAN CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
“ O P E R AT I O N A L E X C E L L E N C E I S N O T A O N E T I M E A C H I E V E M E N T – I T ’ S A M I N D S E T T H AT M U S T B E R E I N F O R C E D E V E R Y D AY ” “As rail operators continue to pursue more environmentally responsible infrastructure solutions, we see electrification becoming an increasingly important part of our product strategy,” insights Blechinger. Another area the company is particularly proud of is its work on the next generation of highly automated track maintenance machines. By combining machine vision, AI, and advanced machine control systems, Plasser is developing equipment capable of recognizing track components, optimizing work processes, and executing maintenance tasks with a level of consistency that was previously impossible. The objective is to deliver higher and more repeatable work quality while reducing the potential for human error. Rather than replacing skilled operators, these technologies shift their role toward supervising and managing the automated process, allowing them to focus on operational 6 | Manufacturing Outlook Issue 14
– THOMAS BLECHINGER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, PLASSER AMERICAN C O R P O R AT I O N
decisions while the machine performs repetitive tasks with greater precision. “We believe this technology will play a key role in addressing the industry’s skilled labor shortage while improving safety, productivity, and infrastructure quality,” he clarifies.
GROWTH AND EXCELLENCE Plasser’s priorities for the coming year are centered on disciplined growth, operational excellence, and continued innovation. First, the company remains focused on executing its strong backlog while
PLASSER AMERICAN CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
BRIDGING THE ATLANTIC - A EUROPEAN CEO’S PLAYBOOK FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET Blechinger’s new book, ‘Bridging the Atlantic – A European CEO’s Playbook for the American Market’, grew out of more than 20 years of operating on both sides of the Atlantic. He tells us more about the ideas behind the book and the writing process. “Throughout my career, I repeatedly saw outstanding European companies enter the US market with excellent products, strong engineering, and solid financial backing, yet many still struggled to reach their full potential. Over time, I realized that the challenge was rarely the product itself; more often, it was a misunderstanding of how business is conducted in the US. “The book is a practical guide for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and companies looking to establish or expand operations in the US. It explores topics such as marketing, organizational structure, communication, decisionmaking, sales, customer expectations, and the cultural differences that influence business success. “Rather than being an academic textbook, it’s a collection of practical lessons, real-world observations, and experiences from my own journey leading organizations across different continents. “The writing process was surprisingly rewarding. Most of the ideas had been with me for years in the form of notes, presentations, and conversations with peers and colleagues. “Putting them into a structured narrative gave me the opportunity to reflect on the lessons I’d learned, sometimes through successes, sometimes through mistakes. My goal wasn’t to write a book about theory; it was to create a practical playbook that I wish had existed when I first moved to the US. “If readers take away one central message, I hope it’s this – succeeding in the American market isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about understanding the market well enough to adapt your approach while building on the strengths that made your company successful in the first place. “European companies bring exceptional engineering, quality, and long-term thinking. The key is learning how to translate those strengths into an American business environment rather than simply transporting them across the Atlantic.”
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maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and on-time delivery. As demand for rail infrastructure investment continues across North America, its responsibility is to deliver for customers while continuously improving the efficiency of manufacturing operations. “Second, we will continue investing in the next generation of railway maintenance technology. That includes expanding our portfolio of battery-powered machines, advancing AI-enabled automation and machine intelligence, and accelerating the digitalization of our equipment,” Blechinger expands. These innovations will help Plasser’s customers improve productivity, address skilled labor shortages, and meet their long-term sustainability objectives. Another important priority is the continued expansion of its aftermarket business. “We continue to see tremendous opportunity to grow our lifecycle support capabilities through modernization programs, rebuilds, digital services, spare parts, field service, and maintenance contracting,” he adds. Increasingly, customers are looking for long-term partners who can maximize the availability and performance of assets throughout their entire lifecycle. Internally, the company will continue driving operational improvements across the business. That means strengthening manufacturing processes, reducing costs through lean initiatives, design for manufacturing, and continuous improvement, developing the workforce, and maintaining the strong safety culture built over the past several years. “Operational excellence is not a one-time achievement – it’s a mindset that must be reinforced every day.” Ultimately, Plasser’s goal isn’t simply to grow for the sake of growth
PLASSER AMERICAN CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA
– Blechinger wants to build a stronger, more resilient company that delivers industry-leading products, creates opportunities for employees, and continues to earn the trust of its customers. “If we remain focused on innovation, execution, and our people, I’m confident we’ll continue building on the momentum we’ve created,” he concludes.
Tel: +1-757-543-3526 plasseramerican@plausa.com
www.plasseramerican.com
Tel: +1-757-543-3526 plasseramerican@plausa.com www.plasseramerican.com
PRODUCED BY MANUFACTURING OUTLOOK MAGAZINE