The Czech railway industry delivered another landmark year of international success in 2025, achieving strong export performance and reinforcing its position as a global supplier of advanced rail technology. According to fresh data from ACRI – the Association of Czech Railway Industry Companies, exports accounted for 52% of total national railway production, exceeding CZK 68 billion (EUR 2.8 billion).
ACRI Director General Marie Vopálenská commented on the sector’s continued growth:
“The results for 2025 confirm that the Czech railway industry has an extraordinary ability to succeed in a demanding international competitive environment and to strengthen its presence on foreign markets in the long term. Over the past five years, our companies’ exports have grown by 28%. Czech companies supply modern technological solutions for sustainable mobility – from zero-emission vehicles to digital and security systems to infrastructure and services. Thanks to a strong emphasis on research, innovation and digitalisation, they are respected partners in Europe and other regions of the world. Systematic support for economic diplomacy and cooperation with state institutions also plays a key role in opening new markets and establishing strategic partnerships."
A Key Contributor to the Czech Economy
The railway industry represents nearly 2% of Czech GDP and employs more than 23,700 people, with an annual turnover of approximately EUR 5.4 billion. The sector’s strong export orientation confirms its position as one of the country’s most technologically advanced and internationally successful industries.
Export Success Across the Value Chain
Czech companies achieved strong results across markets in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, exporting complete vehicles, components, infrastructure systems and advanced technologies.
Major Export Players in 2025
- Moravia Steel and Třinecké železárny – 90% export share; major supplier of rails for global infrastructure projects.
- BONATRANS Group – 92% export share; delivered 185,000 wheels and 49,000 axles to 41 countries.
- NYMWAG – 91% export share; freight wagons supplied to partners including VTG, Ermewa and RTW.
- Škoda Group – 65% export share; strong international demand for electric trains, trams, metros and battery units.
- DAKO‑CZ – 54% export share; braking systems for hydrogen trains, trams and freight wagons.
- BORCAD, CZ LOKO, DTVS – significant international footprints in seating, locomotives and switch systems.
Across the board, companies with high export intensity were the driving force behind the sector’s outstanding performance.
Škoda Group Expands European Footprint
Škoda Group strengthened its European presence, with RegioPanter electric trains entering service in Estonia, progress on 25 units for Bulgaria, and major battery train contracts in Slovakia (up to 36 units) and Latvia (up to 16 units). The manufacturer also secured orders for trams, trolleybuses and metro vehicles across Germany, Finland, Italy and Bulgaria.
Strong Global Reach for Czech Components and Technology
- Třinecké železárny delivered 197 kilotonnes of rails to markets across the EU, USA and Canada.
- AŽD continued major signalling and ETCS projects in Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Poland, with new opportunities emerging in Australia and Albania.
- HŽP and Třinecké železárny supplied components for Škoda Group trams, Hyundai Rotem high‑speed units in Uzbekistan, and MBTA commuter trains in the USA.
- Passengera expanded on-board connectivity projects into Italy, Georgia, and the Middle East, including work on the Riyadh Metro.
- OLTIS Group advanced digital traffic control integration between Poland and the Czech Republic, with further expansion expected across Central and Eastern Europe.
- VZÚ Plzeň continued to grow internationally in component testing, including new partnerships in Italy, Turkey, Romania and Australia.
Looking Ahead to 2026
ACRI will continue working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support new export opportunities through trade missions, international events and targeted promotion of Czech railway expertise.
Image credit: Acri
