Alstom, a global leader in intelligent and sustainable mobility, proudly celebrates the 100th anniversary of its Katowice site – one of the largest producers of railway traffic control systems and devices in Europe. Over the years, the site has developed solutions that form the foundation of safety, fluidity and efficiency in rail transport in Poland and on many international railway lines. The former Katowice ZWUS is a place where the history of Polish railways intertwines with digitization and modern technologies, and the experience of generations of engineers has contributed to the implementation of the most complex infrastructure projects.

Expansion of competencies in Poland, deliveries worldwide

The site systematically develops technologies and increases engineering capacities – currently employing 1,100 highly qualified specialists who form one of Alstom’s key centres of expertise in railway traffic control. In recent years, the facility has invested in the expansion of development laboratories, including those enabling – for the first time in Poland – ESC tests and complete ERTMS system tests under laboratory conditions. It has also expanded engineering teams and laboratory facilities to support international projects, including in Croatia and Bulgaria, as well as teams responsible for onboard systems, in order to effectively support the growing number of orders from Central and Eastern Europe. A new production and warehouse hall has also been launched; currently, several thousand product models used in signalling systems in Poland and worldwide are manufactured at the Katowice site.

The Katowice team has been responsible for the comprehensive implementation, including design, certification and deployment, of railway traffic control systems in hundreds of locations, including the modernisation of the Warszawa Zachodnia and Port Gdynia junctions – the most complex nodes in the country. Devices and systems from the Katowice company ensure the smooth flow of railway traffic in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and the Katowice deployment team is involved in advanced signalling solutions in Germany, Sweden, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, the Philippines and South Africa.

“A hundred years of the Katowice site’s operations is a story of consistent technological development and the extraordinary passion of our people. From pioneering signalling devices to advanced digital traffic control systems – we have always responded to the real needs of the railways. Today, as part of the Alstom Group, we deliver projects of unprecedented scale and complexity, while being fully aware of our responsibility for the safety of millions of passengers,” says Adam Juretko, Managing Director of Alstom’s Katowice site.

From a signal in a receiver to solutions for multiple sectors of the economy

The site’s history dates back to 1926, when a small private company, Zapotel (Western Polish Telephone Construction), began operations in Katowice. In 1932, the site was renamed Telsyg and became one of the most important producers of devices for Polish railways. Signalling systems, telephone equipment and cable boxes were developed here and delivered to the growing network of Polish State Railways. The purchase of the site by the Polish Electric Company – a licensee of the Swedish Ericsson corporation – opened the door to new technologies and a wider scale of operations.

The post-war years were a period of exceptionally diverse activity for the facility. In Katowice, among other things, the only production of mine signalling equipment in Poland was established, as well as intrinsically safe point machines – solutions unique in Central Europe. The plant also carried out projects for the military and, for a short time, was even involved in the production of consumer goods. It was here that the legendary prototype of a motor scooter was created. These less obvious episodes are today a curiosity, but they demonstrate the team’s broad technical expertise and flexibility.

Birth of ZWUS and engineering power

1961 marked the centralization of Silesian signalling plants and the foundation of Zakłady Wytwórcze Urządzeń Sygnalizacyjnych (ZWUS). The best engineers from across Poland came to Katowice, creating solutions that significantly shaped railway safety standards. Many prominent figures were associated with the Katowice enterprise, including Jerzy Duda-Gracz, who designed the PYK-10 telephone column, and Jerzy Kukuczka, Poland's most renowned Himalayan climber. Kukuczka often emphasized that the Silesian work ethic instilled in industry shaped his character, determination, and resilience. ZWUS became a pioneer of many innovations – prototypes of automatic crossing signals and automatic train braking systems were developed here.

Projects of strategic importance for safety

Since 2021, the site has been part of the Alstom Group. Integration with global structures has allowed local know-how, built over decades, to be combined with international experience, access to global markets, and the most advanced technologies.

The greatest strength of the site has always been its people. Alstom Katowice has collaborated for years with universities, including the Silesian University of Technology, Kraków University of Technology, and Łódź University of Technology, engaging in research programs, teaching classes, courses, and internships.

“We look to the future, where rail transport will become even more digital, automated, and integrated with other forms of transportation. For us, this primarily means the development of modern systems for high-speed rail – a strategic transport project in Poland. The second pillar is supporting our customers in addressing one of their key challenges: increasing infrastructure capacity and transport efficiency through, among other things, digital signalling and autonomous mobility systems,” says Adam Juretko, Managing Director of Alstom Katowice.

Alstom’s 100th anniversary in Katowice is not just a jubilee, but confirmation of Silesia’s role as one of the key centres of railway technology in Europe – a place from which, for a century, a clear signal of progress has emanated, continuously gaining momentum.

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