Italian railway engineering company Lucchini RS has entered the Indian rail manufacturing sector through a strategic partnership with Jupiter Wagons Limited (JWL), establishing a joint industrial platform focused on the production of railway wheels, axles and wheelsets.
Lucchini RS Holding S.p.A. has signed binding agreements with Jupiter Wagons Limited to acquire a 15% stake in Jupiter Tatravagonka Railwheel Factory Private Limited (JTRWF), while SIMEST S.p.A., part of the CDP Group, will acquire an additional 10% stake alongside the Italian company. The collaboration is intended to strengthen manufacturing capabilities for railway components in India while supporting the companies’ long-term international growth strategy.
The venture will be built around two manufacturing locations. A new facility in Odisha will serve as the core of the investment, with major upstream production activities including forging and primary metallurgy. This will be complemented by an operational plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), which currently handles machining and wheelset assembly, providing the platform with an immediate manufacturing presence in India.
According to the companies, the Odisha facility is expected to begin production progressively between 2027 and 2028. Once fully operational, the integrated platform is expected to become the only manufacturing facility in India capable of producing railway wheels, axles and wheelsets under one roof, covering the complete production cycle.
The partnership is supported by industrial cooperation from Lucchini RS, Jupiter Wagons’ domestic demand, the expanding Indian railway market and a long-term offtake arrangement with Tatravagónka, providing international market access for future production. Lucchini RS will also contribute technical expertise during the engineering, industrialisation and plant start-up phases.
The transaction has received backing through Italy’s Sistema Italia framework, with participation from SIMEST, support from CDP and the Italian Embassy in India. Lucchini RS said the investment aligns with its strategy of building a stronger industrial presence in high-growth markets through long-term partnerships, while Jupiter Wagons views the collaboration as a significant step toward expanding India’s rail manufacturing capabilities for both domestic and export markets.
Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by Lucchini RS
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