RUSSIA: United Wagon Co produced a total of 19 700 wagons in 2018, a 3% increase on the previous year. A similar volume is expected in 2019, with growth continuing to be driven by an increase in the production of specialised vehicles.
Hopper wagon production was up 108% year-on-year to 5 000 units in 2018, while the number of flat wagons and vans produced was up 98% year-on-year to 2 600. Tank wagon production was up 34% to 999.
In contrast to the increase in specialised vehicles, the number of open wagons produced was down 24% at 11 100.
A further six wagon designs were certified in 2018, taking UWC’s range to 57 models. The latest addition is a woodchip wagon with a capacity of 211 m3 or 70 tonnes.
Around 97% of UWC’s output was supplied to third parties last year, with the largest of more than 50 customers being GTLK (open, hopper, box and flat wagons), Rusagrotrans (hoppers), Uralkali (hoppers), Logistics1520 (hoppers), Kronospan (timber flat wagons) and NPO Azot (tank wagons), which between them acquired a total of 15 400 vehicles. Smaller orders were placed by Akron (hoppers), MKB-Leasing (open wagons for export) and Fintrans GL (vans).
UWC’s leasing businesses took delivery of 659 wagons and sold 2 200 of its existing vehicles to leave a fleet of 11 900 wagons at the end of the year, a 10% decrease compared with 2017.
The group also has 17 Category I heavy maintenance workshops and a network of 72 servicing facilities.
