Domestic fleet production strengthens the security of supply - VR FleetCare and UPM concluded a significant wagon deal

The starting project is significant for Finnish wagon manufacturing, as it is the first delivery of roundwood wagons to a customer outside VR. UPM replaces its foreign wagon capacity for wood transport by purchasing SNPS roundwood wagons manufactured in Pieksämäki from VR FleetCare. The agreement also includes the maintenance of the wagons, which ensures the lifecycle management of the fleet and enables the maintenance programme and alteration work by the manufacturer.

"We are proud that UPM has chosen us as the supplier of the wagons. The Pieksämäki workshop has strong experience in the manufacture of roundwood wagons and other fleet complying with the EU standard. Domestic production supports the security of supply and the sustainability transition by promoting rail traffic and improving Finland’s competitiveness," says Otso Ikonen, VR’s Senior Vice President of Maintenance.

The new fleet will transport approximately one third of UPM Forest’s roundwood transports by rail. The new fleet will gradually replace the foreign fleet that UPM has been using in Finland since 2023.

"The purchase of new freight rolling stock from VR is a significant investment in domestic logistics for us. When the freight cars are manufactured domestically, it creates jobs and income in Finland for several years. This will further increase the added value and economic benefits that UPM generates for society and enable the development of a competitive roundwood supply chain," says Ville Parkkinen, Director, Operations at UPM Forest.

The new roundwood wagon trade will further strengthen the operations of the Pieksämäki workshop alongside the previously published heavy transport wagon trade. During its long history, VR FleetCare has manufactured nearly 50,000 wagons for the needs of Finnish industry. The principles of sustainable development and safety guide the manufacturing process, and the Pieksämäki workshop has modern production facilities and expertise for the different stages of the manufacture of wagons. The roundwood wagons previously manufactured by VR FleetCare have proven to be functional solutions, offering an optimal working load for different wood measures, and domestically manufactured wagons are excellently suited to Finnish conditions. In addition to roundwood wagons, the Pieksämäki workshop also manufactures heavy transport wagons and tank wagons. The production capacity of the Pieksämäki workshop is approximately 300 freight wagons per year, and it can be increased according to customer needs.