FREIGHT WAGON SYSTEMS.
MOVING MORE.
Wascosa’s focus lies on the hiring out and management of freight wagons for rail traffic. Founded in 1964 the family-run business, with its headquarters in Lucerne, Switzerland, is a pioneer in the industry.
Philipp Müller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wascosa AG, and Peter Balzer, CEO, on a special corporate culture and the resulting customer benefits. How did Wascosa AG come about and what lies ahead?
What do these high standards mean for the company?
Philipp Müller: “Wascosa AG is at the forefront of the industry. It was one of the first companies
Philipp Müller: “Our advantage is a longstanding experience, accumulated over many years. But
in Europe to hire out railway rolling stock. Numerous further enhancements and improvements
more than other companies, our independent family-run business needs to focus and further
originate in our company. We live this progressive culture on a daily basis, because it ensures
enhance its know-how. Constant personnel development is therefore our top priority.”
that we remain open, agile and quick to react. It will also pave our way into the future.” How does this special in-house culture affect customer relations? Peter Balzer: “We want to be better, achieve more, be pioneers at the cutting edge. We always go that extra mile with the aim of offering our customers not only benefits but true added value. This forms the basis for long-standing, successful partnerships with our customers.”
Philipp Müller,
Peter Balzer,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
CEO 3
ONE STEP AHEAD.
Our core competences. Let‘s talk about standards. First and foremost about the lead in experience gained from being on
Our main business is the Europe-wide rental and management of rolling stock. We also offer extensive
the market since 1964. We pioneered the industry by introducing a modular IT solution. With the
administration services covering acquisition and consulting. Safety always comes first at Wascosa.
universal chemicals tank wagon, we set a new benchmark for equipment and functionality. And we
Thanks to our high safety standards, we are the first enterprise in German-speaking countries to
promoted the introduction of derailing detectors, which today are a matter of course. These are just
be certified by the European standard ECM (Entity in Charge of Maintenance). Our positioning as a
some of the examples that define our lead.
provider of freight wagon systems results in integrated solutions and systems for freight wagons that make rail transport efficient, increase productivity and reduce rail logistics costs.
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”We don‘t just talk, we follow through.” Detlef Schlickelmann, Chief Operations Officer / Executive Board Member
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“We have the courage to leave the beaten track.� Irmhild Saabel, Chief Business Development Officer / Executive Board Member
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SURPASSING BORDERS.
Our capital. Our freight wagons are amongst the most modern and innovative currently rolling on Europe‘s
Most importantly, we think ahead to the future, by equipping our entire intermodal fleet with tele-
train tracks. 50% of our wagons are five years old or less. The company has developed the patented
matics. This brings a massive improvement in the pool of data we can draw on. Such a crucial step
Wascosa euro tank car®, which can be used throughout Europe and defines a new safety standard
forward is particularly important given the company’s responsibility as a certified entity in charge
in the transportation of hazardous materials.
of maintenance (ECM). On top of that, telematics will further improve fleet availability for our customers, who will also benefit from access to even more data, allowing them to optimise turna-
We believe in thinking ahead. We continuously develop new solutions and patents, meeting future
round cycles and reduce downtimes.
requirements already today. Like the Wascosa safe tank car® which lets you flexibly choose from many safety elements on a modular principle. Or the Wascosa flex freight system® whose base unit can be fitted with special upper bodies for many different goods. As you can see, we do not believe in limits or borders.
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MAKING IMPRESSIONS. Services. Hiring out Wascosa hires out freight wagons throughout Europe for all conceivable uses. Our customers are rail operators and the entire rail transport industry. Partnerships with many of these go back for decades. Management Wascosa manages the customer‘s own wagon fleet, based on customised service packages. These packages include services, such as the registration of wagons with national authorities, the organisation of maintenance and inspections, and active car management. Of course the wagon fleet management is subject to the highest quality and safety requirements. Consulting Wascosa consists of an interdisciplinary pool of specialists. We advise our customers when selecting the appropriate means of transport from both technical and economical standpoints. In questions of maintenance, insurance and safety, as well as all European legislation issues, Wascosa also has the answers. Wagon fleets Wascosa procures freight wagons that meet the needs of rail operators and the rail transport industry alike. The wagon fleet ranges from tank wagons for the chemical and petrochemical industry, to combined traffic cars, right through to bulk goods transportation.
PROVEN STAMINA.
Our innovative power. We do have to talk about high expectations. A cooperation with Wascosa begins with an individual
We cultivate a culture of close proximity to the customer, the essence of which is a reliable service.
analysis and personal consultation. This generates service offers and integrated solutions, precisely
Thanks to dependable maintenance, the failure rate of Wascosa fleet wagons is low and availability
tailored to the customer‘s needs. Customers benefit from our networked approach, the versatile
accordingly high. Customer proximity also means that our employees can be reached easily and
approach of Wascosa specialists and the rapid integration of new concepts and in-house develop-
beyond standard hours, to provide fast and dedicated support, should problems arise.
ments.
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“To achieve optimum customer benefit, we make the highest demands on ourselves and our partners.” Jörn Stiller, Operations / Head of Maintenance
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“We demand a high level of accountability.” Doris Luther, Safety Management
REACHING THE TOP.
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Your added value. Our team is actively involved in international associations and project groups to help develop the
Wascosa is an independent, owner-managed private company. We distinguish ourselves by our
solutions required tomorrow. We also conduct ongoing analysis of the customers needs and the
quest for new concepts for the industry, both from within and beyond its boundaries. This mindset
inherent processes and changes in rail logistics. This integrated approach helps us generate the lead
renders us open, transparent and receptive: we maintain communication through the Wascosa
in knowledge that creates security and efficiency for our customers.
infoletter, at trade fairs, at www.wascosa.ch or in personal discussion.
We‘re the forerunners, and we take this role seriously. So you are right to expect more from us.
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MAKING CONTACT.
“Our customers profit from rapid deployment, fast decisions and the advantages of an independent company.� Thomas Lippuner, Chief Sales Officer / Executive Board Member
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Wascosa AG Werftestrasse 4 • 6005 Lucerne • Switzerland P +41 41 727 67 67 • F +41 41 727 67 77 info@wascosa.ch
www.wascosa.ch
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www.wascosa.ch