Richard

What Richard does

Richard AG Murgenthal is a privately held Swiss manufacturer of high-voltage electrical components and systems for electric rail vehicles, founded in 1906 and headquartered in Murgenthal, Switzerland. The company designs and produces the full high-voltage chain for electric trains — pantographs (Stromabnehmer), pneumatic vacuum circuit breakers (Vakuumhauptschalter), system changeover switches (Trenner) for AC/DC transitions across borders, high-voltage carriage connections (Dachwagenübergang), roof box systems (Dachbox) for compact AC/DC switching on high-speed trains, earthing reactors, insulators, and control panels. Manufacturing is carried out in Switzerland across two production sites totaling 3,300 m², supplemented by a German subsidiary (Richard Deutschland GmbH, Dresden) and a new Shanghai sales/service location established November 1, 2025. A prototype fast-charging current collector (Schnellladestromabnehmer) for battery-electric rail vehicles was developed in 2025.

The company serves two primary customer segments: railway vehicle manufacturers (e.g., Stadler, supplying roof boxes for Giruno trains) and railway operators (e.g., SBB/Swiss Federal Railways, Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn). Revenue is generated through three streams: hardware sales of standard and custom-engineered components (dominant), after-sales service/repair/overhaul at the Rothrist location, and consulting/training. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales from Switzerland, with a German subsidiary for Central Europe and a new Shanghai presence for Asia. Pricing is quote-based on custom solutions; no public pricing exists.

Richard holds a dense stack of railway-specific certifications (IRIS, EN 15085-2 CL1, ISO 3834-2, EN 17460, ISO 9001, ISO 27001) and an EcoVadis Bronze sustainability rating valid through December 2026, which collectively function as procurement gates for railway OEMs. The company is 100% family-owned, employs approximately 130 people including 10 apprentices, and is led by Managing Directors Roman Sommer and Andreas Zaugg. A strategic partnership with Ucentrics AG focuses on digitalization and automation of production and aftermarket service.

Name

Richard

Legal name

Richard AG Murgenthal

Website

https://richardag.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Richard AG Murgenthal is a Swiss, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1906 that designs and produces high-voltage electrical components — pantographs, vacuum circuit breakers, roof boxes, and system changeover switches — for electric rail vehicle manufacturers and operators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Railway Power Supply Components

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)

SIC

Railroad Equipment (3743)

akta.pro primary industry

Overhead Conductors & Transmission Cable (IMADAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Automotive Charging Hardware Manufacturing (On-board Chargers, Charge Inlets, DC-DC) (IMACAJAK)

Keywords

• Railway power components
• Pantograph manufacturing
• Vacuum circuit breakers
• Rail vehicle electrification
• High-voltage railway systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Murgenthal

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Railway Components and Systems: Sale of high-voltage components including current collectors, vacuum circuit breakers, system changeover switches, carriage connections, roof boxes, insulators, and control panels for electric rail vehicles. Products are manufactured in Switzerland as both innovative series products and custom-made special solutions in close cooperation with customers.
2. Service, Repair and Maintenance: After-sales services including repair, overhaul, and maintenance of railway components at their Rothrist location. Professional service for rail and railway operations.
3. Consulting and Training: Customer consulting and training services around their products, leveraging their extensive experience in railway components.
4. Measurement Services: Measurement services including approval measurements, damage investigation, validation measurements, and driving technical measurements. On-site service at customer locations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Richard AG Murgenthal designs, develops, manufactures, and assembles high-voltage power supply components and systems for electric rail vehicles. The product portfolio covers the entire high-voltage chain, including pantographs (current collectors), pneumatic vacuum circuit breakers, system changeover switches, high-voltage carriage connections, roof box systems for AC/DC switching, charging current collectors for battery-electric trains, earthing reactors, insulators, and control panels. The company also provides after-sales services such as overhaul, repair, measurement, consulting, and training to railway manufacturers and operators worldwide.

Product overview

Richard AG Murgenthal is a Swiss manufacturer specializing in components and systems for the power supply of electric rail vehicles. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of railway-specific products including pantographs/current collectors (Stromabnehmer), vacuum circuit breakers (Vakuumhauptschalter), charging current collectors for battery-powered vehicles, system changeover switches (Trenner) for different power systems, high-voltage carriage connections (Dachwagenübergang), roof box system solutions (Dachbox) for AC/DC switching, control panels, earthing reactors, insulators, and safety products. The product range covers the entire high-voltage chain from the pantograph contact strip to the main switch. Beyond manufacturing, the company provides complementary services including overhaul/repair, spare parts, and consulting & training. Products are manufactured in Switzerland using state-of-the-art production techniques and delivered worldwide to railway operators and manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stromabnehmer (Pantograph / Current Collector) The single-arm pantograph (Einholmstromabnehmer) is the essential connection that links the train to the overhead catenary line. Richard AG produces reliable, high-quality, and proven pantographs with customized solutions according to customer requirements.
• Vakuumhauptschalter (Vacuum Circuit Breaker) The pneumatic vacuum circuit breaker interrupts current flow between the overhead catenary line and the electrical equipment of rail vehicles. Low-maintenance load switches with reliable arc suppression that can be phase-controlled.
• Ladestromabnehmer / Schnellladestromabnehmer (Charging Current Collector / Fast Charging Pantograph) The charging current collector enables rapid and efficient charging of battery-powered rail vehicles at fast charging stations, replacing continuous power draw from the overhead line with high-power station-based charging.
• Trenner / Systemwahlschalter (System Changeover Switch) System changeover switch enabling safe manual switching for rail vehicles transitioning between different power systems (e.g., from Swiss 15 kV AC to Italian 3 kV DC).
• Dachwagenübergang (HSW - High-Voltage Carriage Connection) High-voltage carriage connection (HSW) designed for rooftop installation on locomotives and rail vehicles. It ensures the electrical connection between two carriages while accommodating the required deflection of the car body.
• Dachbox (Roof Box System Solutions) Roof box system solution used for switching between AC and DC operation, storable anywhere under floor. Compact, aerodynamic and compressed design tailored for high-speed trains.
• Steuertafel / Panto-Steuertafel (Current Collector Control Panel) Control panels for managing and monitoring current collector operations on rail vehicles.
• Erdungsdrossel (Earthing Reactor) Earthing reactors for railway applications providing electrical grounding and safety functions.
• Isolatoren (Insulators) Insulators for high-voltage railway applications providing electrical isolation and safety.
• Schlüsselvervielfacher (Key Multiplier / Safety Products) Safety products including key multipliers for railway applications.
• Instandsetzung (Overhaul Service) Fast and professional overhaul service for railway components performed at the Rothrist location, supported by an additional assembly hall for larger service orders.
• Reparaturen (Repairs) Competent repair service for rail and railway components carried out by Richard AG's after-sales team.
• Beratung & Schulung (Consulting & Training) Customer consulting and training services covering Richard AG's products, leveraging over 115 years of railway component expertise.
• Measurement Services (Approval, Damage Investigation, Validation, Driving Technical Measurements) Measurement services including approval measurements, damage investigation, validation measurements, and driving technical measurements, performed on-site at customer locations.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ucentrics AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership between Richard AG and Ucentrics AG for digitalization and automation in production and maintenance of railway high-voltage components. Joint collaboration includes appearing together at international trade fairs, presenting innovative solutions, and exploring new markets. The partnership combines their technologies to implement forward-looking projects together.
• Richard Deutschland GmbHcoreOthersGerman subsidiary of Richard AG located in Dresden, Germany. Operates as wholly-owned subsidiary serving the German market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Alstom: Global rolling stock manufacturer with significant in-house rail electrical component capabilities. Competes with Richard for component supply and is also a potential customer on certain platforms.
• CRRC: World's largest rail equipment manufacturer and dominant supplier to Chinese rail operators. Richard's new Shanghai location puts it in direct competitive and customer-relationship proximity to CRRC's in-house component capabilities.
• ABB: Global electrical equipment giant with a major rail traction and power electronics division. Overlaps with Richard in high-voltage rail switchgear and converters, but operates as a broad incumbent across many industries.
• Knorr-Bremse: Global rail systems leader (braking, HVAC, entry systems) that supplies integrated subsystems to rail OEMs. Indirect overlap with Richard through high-voltage subsystem integration and shared OEM customers.
• Siemens Mobility: Major rail OEM and rail electrical systems integrator. Sources and sometimes produces pantographs, circuit breakers, and roof systems in-house, competing with Richard for both component supply and platform integration.

Direct peers

• Schunk Group: German manufacturer of carbon and pantograph systems for rail vehicles. Direct competitor to Richard AG in pantographs and current collectors, with similar high-voltage component focus and global rail OEM customer base.
• Sécheron: Swiss specialist in electrical equipment for rail vehicles, including circuit breakers, contactors, and high-voltage components. Closest comparable in geography, product mix, and railway OEM focus.
• Stemmann-Technik (Wabtec): Wabtec-owned German manufacturer of pantographs, power connectors, and roof-mounted rail components. Direct competitor in the same component categories as Richard AG.

Emerging players

• Mersen: French electrical equipment specialist with rail product lines in power distribution, surge protection, and high-voltage components. Comparable as a niche player in adjacent rail electrical subsystems.
• Stäubli Electrical Connectors: Swiss-headquartered specialist in high-performance electrical connectors used in rail, including pantograph and inter-carriage connections. Comparable as a Swiss precision rail component manufacturer with similar customer profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/richard-ag-murgenthal
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Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Richard