ABB launches multi-million dollar train parts factory on the Fraser Coast

Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB has opened a $9m centre in the Wide Bay to supply parts for 65 new trains ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

A new Wide Bay factory which will manufacture parts for Queensland trains ahead of the 2032 Olympics has opened its doors.

Premier David Crisafulli was on hand for the opening of the new centre in Maryborough which will supply parts to the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering company ABB was awarded a $150m contract in 2024 to supply complete traction packages for 65 new six-car passenger trains that are set to be built at the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program factory (QTMP) in Torbanlea.

(From left) MP for Maryborough John Barounis, Local Division Manager at ABB Australia Dr Ali Parvizi and Premier David Crisafulli at the opening of the ABB centre in Maryborough.

Mr Crisafulli attended the opening of the new centre on Tuesday along with other state and regional government representatives.

ABB has invested about $9m to establish the new centre on the Fraser Coast.

It is predicted this centre will support large scale job and economic growth in the region, and a new team of 20 staff were hired locally to work at the centre.

“(The) localisation (of the factory) is more than fifty percent,” one ABB employee said.

The centre will deliver 130 traction transformers, 260 traction converters and 1040 traction motors to the $240mTorbanlea factory between 2025 and 2030.

It will also provide repair and maintenance services to support the growing presence of ABB products in Australia.

Premier David Crisafulli met with employees at the Traction Centre of Excellence in Maryborough to discuss the upcoming project.

“To ABB thanks for your investment in Maryborough,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I can assure you that there’s some really big things happening in this state and part of that big journey is being able to make things and be damn proud of making things in this state.”

Downer Group, an Australian and New Zealand rail and transit company, with a long standing history in Maryborough dating back to 1867, were awarded the contract by the Queensland Government to establish the Torbanlea factory and build the 65 trains.

The factory being built at Torbanlea is set to begin manufacturing in the coming months, and is said to be facilitating hundreds of short and long term jobs for the Fraser Coast region.

“I talk to a lot of school leavers about where they see their future career, and more and more it is in manufacturing,” Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said.

ABB’s contribution to the QTMP is part of a larger effort by multiple companies who have been contracted by Downer Group to provide the materials for the advanced passenger trains.

Once the trains are built they will be deployed across the Southeast Queensland rail network in time to meet transport needs for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr Crisafulli appeared at the opening on Tuesday with Maryborough MP John Barounis stating he wanted to thank ABB for “taking a punt” and investing in local industry.