2019-06-12

Midwaggon gives way to SweMaint in Ånge

SweMaint is now taking over Midwaggon’s freight wagon maintenance operations in Ånge after doing the same in Borlänge nearly two years ago. Midwaggon will focus fully on locomotive maintenance in Ånge.

Lars Björn, CEO of Midwaggon, explains the decision:

"Both the authorities and wagon owners are gradually stepping up the requirements imposed on companies that maintain and repair goods wagons. Meeting these requirements demands extensive training, certification and development of internal processes and IT systems. In the long term, a small company cannot afford these costs, as these operations are not future proof without a higher volume. At the same time, we do not see an increase in rail freight traffic, despite political aims to stimulate this. This is why we decided to concentrate fully on locomotive repair and maintenance operations, as we have significantly better conditions to operate in this area, while SweMaint has the volume and skills needed to manage freight wagons."

Peter Overup, CEO of SweMaint, adds his take on the takeover:

“Investing in Ånge makes perfect sense for us. It will enable SweMaint to enhance the service it offers with both a workshop of its own and mobile units in the area between Umeå in the north and Borlänge/Gävle in the south, which is where our resources closest to Ånge are currently housed. On an overall scale, we’ll now have an even more complete national network of workshops and mobile units, from Kiruna in the north to Malmö in the south."

“In Ånge, we’re renting premises that Midwaggon previously used for wagon maintenance and offering jobs to all of their former wagon maintenance employees, about 20 people in total. We hope they will accept our offer.”

“We estimate that the takeover will be complete on 1 September this year.”

For more information, contact

Midwaggon:
‍Lars Björn, CEO
Phone: +46 (0)10 130 25 72
Email: lars.bjorn@midwaggon.se

SweMaint:
‍Peter Overup, CEO
Phone: +46 (0)705 45 87 24
Email: peter.overup@swemaint.com

SweMaint AB is Northern Europe’s leading supplier of maintenance services to wagon owners and other operators of freight transport by rail. Strategically located at the major junctions – from Malmö in the south to Kiruna in the north – they offer a complete and almost nationwide range of services, which includes, among other things, preventive locomotive and wagon maintenance, wheel maintenance, damage remedial repairs and extensive material supply. The company, based in Gothenburg, has a turnover of approximately SEK 600 million and has around 300 employees.

SweMaint AB is Northern Europe’s leading supplier of maintenance and repair services for wagon owners and other rail freight operators. Strategically located at Sweden’s major nodes, from Malmö in the south to Kiruna in the north, we offer a complete and nearly nationwide service offering that includes preventive wagon maintenance, wheel maintenance, corrective repairs and a comprehensive supply of materials.

Our very own wheel supply programme has you got you covered at 30 unique locations – in addition, we have 40 mobile workshops on standby for urgent corrective maintenance out on the rails and effective 24/7 rerailing and clearance. Altogether, this ensures fast lead times according to our motto, “Less downtime = more profit for our customers”.

Our extensive experience – we have been in business since 1905 – combined with our systematic development of our offering with a focus on adding value for customers gives us a unique position and platform to promote rail freight as the strongest and most competitive choice.

Based in Gothenburg, the company boasts sales of around SEK 400 million and has around 250 employees in 12 workshops at Sweden’s major rail nodes. SweMaint AB has been owned by Malmö-based Kockums Industrier since 2007.