The company operates across five main maintenance sites in Ljubljana, Maribor, Ptuj, Dobova and Divača, with additional workplaces in Koper and Tezno.
With a workforce of nearly two thousand employees and revenues exceeding EUR 145 million, SŽ–VIT remains one of the key entities within the Slovenian railway sector. Its activities cover train traction, maintenance of rolling stock and technical wagon operations. The company’s focus is on maintaining and upgrading locomotives, multiple units, passenger coaches, freight wagons and special-purpose vehicles, alongside wheelset and component processing.
Technology upgrades and workshop modernization
In 2024, several workshops received new or refurbished equipment.
The Dobova Maintenance Section commissioned a new CNC-controlled laser sheet cutter capable of processing blackplate up to 40 mm thick and stainless steel or aluminium sheets up to 20 mm thick. A laser cleaning system has also been introduced for tank wagon interiors and wheelset components, removing paint, rust and grease with minimal material stress.
At the Ptuj Maintenance Section, the company added new horizontal and vertical CNC turning lathes and refurbished its wheelset press, now equipped with digital data recording. The renewal included both hydraulic and electronic systems, allowing closer tracking of time, pressure and temperature during wheel mounting.
A new axle bearing inspection site has been established to improve workflow between bearing cleaning and wheelset assembly. The facility features lighting compliant with inspection standards of 750–1000 lux and is protected against contamination, ensuring consistent technical conditions for component checks.
Certified maintenance quality
At the end of 2024, SŽ–VIT expanded its VPI certification network. Workshops in Divača, Koper, Zalog and Tezno passed assessments by the German association VPI – Verband der Privatgüterwagen-Interessenten. They joined the already certified workshops in Ptuj and Dobova, both certified to VPI standards for over 15 years. The assessments covered running repairs of freight wagons, while the Ptuj workshop is also being assessed for wheelset maintenance certification.
This certification framework allows the company to continue working with European wagon keepers who apply the VPI European Maintenance Guide (VPI-EMG).
Results for 2024
The company recorded an operating profit of EUR 1.4 million and a net profit of EUR 232 thousand. Operating revenues increased by more than EUR 12 million compared to the previous year.
Service portfolio and partners
Established in 1995 and fully owned by Slovenske železnice, SŽ–VIT provides maintenance for domestic and international clients. Its reference list includes Siemens, GATX, VTG, Touax, Atir-Rail, Innofreight, Transwaggon, Beacon Rail, Adria Transport and several European railway operators.
The company performs maintenance on Siemens Vectron, Taurus, Eurorunner and Alstom electric locomotives, as well as on EMUs such as Desiro, Flirt, Kiss, Pendolino and Gomulka units. In the freight sector, it handles VPI-type revisions and repairs of tank, flat and special wagons at its Dobova and Koper facilities.
Role within the Slovenian Railways Group
SŽ–VIT’s activities are closely linked with the operational needs of the Slovenske železnice Group, providing traction for freight and passenger services and ensuring the technical readiness of rolling stock. The company also manages technical wagon inspections and brake testing at inspection sites, supporting the safety of train operations on both national and international routes.
Through continuous modernization and partnerships with European clients, SŽ–VIT maintains its position as a regional competence centre for rolling stock maintenance, combining Slovenian technical expertise with European maintenance standards.
Portfolio snapshot: what SŽ–VIT actually maintains — and for whom
Vehicle types covered
- Electric & diesel locomotives from Siemens Vectron to EuroSprinters, EuroRunners and “Taurus” locomotives, including typical Class 363 locomotives of Slovenian railways.
- EMU/DMU fleets from full cycle overhauls of Siemens Desiro to Pendolino sets and Class 311/315, 711 and 813/814 overhauls.
- Freight wagons: Tank, hopper, flat, covered and modular platforms (Uagps, Tads/Tadds, Faccs/Fal, Rgs/Sgns/Sggmrss/Sffggmrss/Lgns, Habbillns/Habbins, Regmms, Kgs-z, Laes/Laaefrs, Sggrrs).
- Special-purpose rail vehicles: Class 911/915/916 service vehicles; technical wagon activities for extraordinary shipments; ramp modernisation for car trains.
- Wheelsets & components: Wheelset processing (hot-rolled monoblocs, IS2/IS3 processing), axle-bearing inspection line, pressure testing for tanks, wheelset press with digital data capture.
Customers and geographies (selection)
- Leasing & manufacturers: European Locomotive Leasing (ELL), Beacon Rail, Siemens, Touax, VTG, GATX, Atir-Rail, Transwaggon, Railoc, Innofreight, Ermewa, Wascosa.
- Rail operators & groups: Slovenske železnice (Passenger, Freight, Infrastructure), ÖBB-TS (projects via Rail Cargo Austria), Adria Transport, LTE, Port of Koper, Euro-Express Treincharter, Železnice Srbije, Srbija Kargo Srbija, Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore, Makedonski železnici, RMU Banovići.
- Countries served: Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia.
Typical work scopes
- Periodic inspections up to overhaul level for locomotives and multiple units.
- Wagon VPI programs, tank pressure tests (own Control Body), interior cleaning, painting and graphics.
- Remotorisation and life-extension on diesel fleets (MTU, Caterpillar), traction and cooling system renewals, cab refits and electronics upgrades.
- Conversions and custom engineering (central valve swaps, roof drives, floors, accessibility steps).
- Technical wagon services (A/B/C/D brake tests, field interventions, escorting/monitoring special loads).
This mix illustrates that SŽ–VIT works across locomotives, passenger fleets, freight wagons, special vehicles and wheelsets for a client list spanning leasing companies, private operators and state railways across Central and South-East Europe.
