The Hitmaking Harmonies of Wabtec in the Czech Republic
Wabtec’s centers of expertise in West Bohemia keep operational synergies in sync
Over the hum of machines cutting, bending, and welding at Wabtec’s two sites in the Czech Republic, you can also hear humming of a different sort: oldies, rock, and metal. This is the unique soundtrack of Wabtec Czech and Wabtec Plzeň, where approximately 1,100 people make products that serve more than 50 customers worldwide. Learn more about the expertise that ensures Wabtec’s Czech production stays in tune.
Wabtec Czech’s unstoppable growth
The Wabtec Czech site represents a major leap forward from 2016, when the site, located in Plzeň, was inaugurated. At the time, there were 300 employees, and production was limited to pantographs, trolley poles, electromagnetic switches, auxiliary power systems, and buffers. Since then, Wabtec Czech has tripled in size and extended its production portfolio to include couplers, doors and door mechanisms, and braking systems – a testament to the company’s agility, expertise, and focus on efficiency.
Wabtec Czech met this challenge with in-depth employee training. “The training and support we provide ensures that our people working in production, and across the organization, excel at handling this complexity,” explains Wabtec Czech Human Resources Director Romana Komorousová.
The site continues to evolve, boosting efficiency, with an optimized layout and materials stored directly on-site. “We are consolidating our footprint and streamlining manufacturing as part of our Integration 2.0 strategy,” says Jaroslav Řehák, Managing Director. This transformation includes investments in horizontal machining centers and a welding robot, while keeping people at the heart of operations: automation remains challenging given the diversity of the builds.
An upward trajectory for HVAC at Wabtec Plzeň
A handful of kilometers to the west of Wabtec Czech, its sister site Wabtec Plzeň, located in Nýřany, employs more than 500 people . The plant is exclusively focused on HVAC solutions and produces 4,500 units for public trains annually.
While units are designed and developed at the Wabtec Germany site in Leipzig, the site was the world’s first to produce Wabtec’s groundbreaking Green Air HVAC unit with natural refrigerant R290. Demand for the product is growing, says Wabtec Plzeň’s Managing Director Pavel Vašek, as customers seek out sustainable solutions – and recognize the company’s expertise in providing them.
Further growth is on the agenda for the site too. To boost its independence from suppliers and overall resilience, Wabtec Plzeň is constructing a new 7,000-square-meter state-of-the-art production hall, set to open in 2026.
“I am proud that in five years, we have increased output more than 30 percent,” shares Mr. Vašek. “Seamless collaboration, here in the Czech Republic and in Germany, has made this a reality. We are staying as flexible as possible to adapt to the needs of our customers while strengthening our position in the market.”
Two sites, one Wabtec
While Wabtec Czech and Wabtec Plzeň produce different items, they are linked by a long local history and an outsized local impact. The two sites share some support and technical functions. Together, the sites constitute a major employer in the West Bohemia region.
The two Wabtec plants were recently recognized as a Czech Top Employer in 2025. “It’s a sign of how well we work together,” says Mr. Vašek. “We are known as a stable employer in the region, and it’s very positive,” comments Jarka Hrušková, Human Resources Manager at Wabtec Plzeň.
The company’s culture is contributing to high retention. “We all pitch in to help one another,” continues Ms. Hrušková. Ms. Komorousová agrees: “Every employee plays a key role in our company, and we recognize everyone’s important contributions. Final products are produced by many processes and people, all with added value. ‘People first’ isn’t just about safety but about respect.”
The value of local ties
The tangibility of Wabtec’s products also keeps teams motivated. “We create great products that exist in the real world,” adds Ms. Komorousová. “Our people are proud when they see our products, locally and abroad.”
While Wabtec’s sites serve customers globally, Czech employees do not need to travel far to see their work in action. In the Czech Republic, Wabtec enjoys a longstanding relationship with Škoda Transportation, the country’s biggest rolling stock manufacturer. Wabtec provides components including pantographs, electronic components, and HVAC units to Škoda Transportation for major projects across more than 250 trains. The company is a significant contributor to Škoda’s new platform for regional transportation in the Czech Republic, called 26EV.
Wabtec’s work in the Czech Republic exemplifies its innovative approach to anticipating regulatory requirements so customer needs are always met. Regulations at the European level trickle down to local governments, public transport operators, and rolling stock manufacturers, who then come knocking on Wabtec’s door. Today, as Mr. Řehák explains, the standout trend is sustainability. “We’re seeing a greater focus on eco-design and recyclability. This is a customer requirement.”
Futureproofing brings a bright outlook
Given the sustainable nature of Wabtec’s production in the Czech Republic, the company can count on playing many encores in the years ahead. And Wabtec teams are eager to contribute to this harmony. “It is always nice when people use the products to which you contribute,” comments Ms. Hrušková. “We produce something that makes sense, brings comfort, is sustainable and has a future. It makes me so proud to work here,” she says.
