ABB Powers Up Rail Innovation with New Maryborough Traction Hub

ABB Traction Australia has inaugurated its new Traction Centre of Excellence in Maryborough, Queensland — a major milestone for the nation’s rail manufacturing sector and its transition toward sustainable mobility.

The 5,000 m² facility, backed by a USD 6 million investment, will operate as a strategic production hub for traction converters, motors, and Mobile e-Power solutions. These technologies will support flagship initiatives such as the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP), which is gearing up for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as a wide range of regional rail projects.

Co-located on the same site, ABB has also established a dedicated Traction Battery Service Centre to provide ongoing support for current and future programs.

ABB is the first company in the industry to commence local manufacturing of traction and auxiliary converters in Australia. This reinforces the company’s “Local for Local” strategy and underscores its focus on innovation, sustainability, and strengthening domestic supply chains. The investment not only reduces reliance on imports but also supports skilled job creation, fosters local expertise, and contributes to a resilient rail manufacturing ecosystem in Queensland.

Core Pillars of the Traction Centre of Excellence

Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
The facility brings cutting-edge production technologies for traction converters, auxiliary converters, and motors designed for next-generation electric trains, trams, and locomotives. Local manufacturing accelerates delivery times, enables project-specific customisation, and supports Australia's shift toward cleaner, more sustainable transport systems.

Traction Technology Leadership & Engineering Expertise
By combining ABB’s global traction technology leadership with local engineering, testing, fault-finding, and quality assurance capabilities, the Centre helps build Australia’s technical proficiency in advanced rail propulsion systems.

Lifecycle Support and Service
A fully equipped Service Centre provides comprehensive lifecycle services — including repairs, predictive maintenance, and equipment overhauls — for traction batteries and converters. These services maximise fleet uptime, extend equipment lifetimes, and align with Australia’s decarbonisation targets and local-content requirements.