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 Rail will build 100 iron ore rail cars for Rio Tinto with the initial tranche of 40 iron ore 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 Rail will transition Rio Tinto ore car manufacturing and bearing reconditioning activities to the new facility to support Pilbara operations. Gemco Rail will deliver 10 wagons per year, to replace retired wagons from Rio Tinto’s fleet while continuing to refurbish bearings, from the new facility.

Engenco Chief Executive Officer, Dean Draper, said: “In securing this opportunity with Rio Tinto, Gemco Rail is proud to utilise its experience and capabilities to re-establish the manufacture of iron ore rail cars in Western Australia. Gemco Rail’s investment in the Pilbara reflects our long-term commitment to customers and communities in Western Australia. We acknowledge the conscious efforts of Rio Tinto to increase their spend with WA based suppliers, our supply partner QRRS, and the support from the Western Australian Government in facilitating this investment in Karratha.”

For further detail access the ASX announcement here.