What CZ LOKO does

CZ LOKO a.s. is a Czech manufacturer, modernizer, and servicer of diesel-electric, electric, dual-power, and hybrid locomotives and special railway vehicles, headquartered in Česká Třebová. Founded in 1995 as a continuation of railway workshops dating to 1849, the company operates from specialized production facilities in Česká Třebová (components and headquarters), Jihlava (serial production and modernization), Přerov (dependent traction repairs), and Žamberk (machining), with regional subsidiaries in Poland (CZ LOKO POLSKA, established 2001) and Italy (CZ LOKO ITALIA, established 2016). Its core product platform is the modular EffiShunter family — covering light shunting (EffiShunter 300, 328 kW) through heavy-duty operations (EffiShunter 1000, 895 kW) — alongside the modernized EffiShunter 1000M, the DualShunter 2000 (combining diesel with 3 kV DC / 25 kV AC electric traction), the EffiLiner 3000 and 1600 electric/diesel-electric freight locomotives, and the MUV 75 universal track maintenance vehicle. Technology is built around AC/AC and AC/DC power transmission, Caterpillar engines supplied via Zeppelin CZ, Siemens traction alternators and control systems, and ETCS/TSI-certified platforms enabling cross-border EU interoperability.

Revenue is generated across five streams: new locomotive sales (hardware), modernization of legacy ČKD/Ługańsk/BMZ/FabLok/GE locomotives (project-based), full-service maintenance contracts through the CZ LOKO Services subsidiary (managed services), component and spare-parts supply, and the EasyRENT rental program offering subscription-style locomotive access. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company serves three primary segments: railway operators (ČD Cargo, České dráhy, PKP Intercity, CER Cargo), industrial operators with private sidings (ArcelorMittal Ostrava, Škoda Auto, Třinecké železárny, ČEPRO), and railway infrastructure managers (SŽDC, Metro Warszawskie). Approximately 60% of production is exported across 20+ countries, and the company has produced a cumulative 1,398 locomotives with 542 in foreign service. Distribution is direct through regional subsidiaries and a dedicated enterprise sales team, supplemented by trade-fair presence at InnoTrans Berlin and Rail Business Days.

The company is privately held by owner Ing. Josef Bárta with no disclosed external institutional investors or parent company. Management includes CEO Josef Gulyás, COO Jaroslav Plhák, Commercial Director Jan Kutálek, CFO Romana Szitová, and HR Director Jiří Kutálek. Annual revenue is approximately 2 billion CZK (~$80-90M USD), with ~680 employees.

Name

CZ LOKO

Legal name

CZ LOKO a.s.

Website

https://czloko.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CZ LOKO a.s. is a privately held Czech manufacturer and modernizer of diesel-electric, electric, dual-power, and hybrid locomotives and special railway vehicles, serving European railway operators, industrial operators, and infrastructure managers across 20+ countries with a 60%+ export share.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ceska Trebova

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Locomotive Manufacturing: Design, manufacturing, and sale of new diesel-electric and dual-power locomotives under EffiShunter and DualShunter product families. Includes TSI-certified vehicles for European market interoperability.
2. Locomotive Modernization: Comprehensive modernization of legacy locomotives (ČKD, Ługańsk, BMZ, FabLok, General Electric) including new engines, alternators, control systems, extending operational life by 20-30 years at significantly lower cost than new vehicles.
3. Maintenance and Service (CZ LOKO Services): Full-service maintenance contracts including warranty and post-warranty service, spare parts supply, and technical support for both CZ LOKO and third-party locomotives.
4. Locomotive Rental (EasyRENT): Short-term and long-term locomotive rental services allowing operators to access equipment without capital purchase.
5. Component Manufacturing and Spare Parts: Production and supply of locomotive components including wheel sets, bogies, compressors, traction motors, and electronic systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CZ LOKO is a Czech manufacturer of diesel-electric and dual-power locomotives, special railway vehicles, and provider of locomotive modernization, maintenance, and rental services. Its core portfolio covers the EffiShunter 300/600/1000/1000M shunting locomotives, the DualShunter 2000 dual-mode locomotive, EffiLiner electric locomotives, and the MUV 75 universal track-maintenance vehicle, complemented by full-service maintenance contracts, comprehensive modernization of legacy fleets, and the EasyRENT rental program.

Product overview

CZ LOKO is a Czech manufacturer of locomotives and special railway vehicles offering a comprehensive portfolio of diesel-electric locomotives, dual-mode locomotives, electric locomotives, and specialized maintenance vehicles. The product range includes: the EffiShunter family (300, 600, 1000, 1000M) for light to heavy shunting and line service operations; the DualShunter 2000 combining electric and diesel power for maximum operational flexibility; the EffiLiner series for electric and diesel-electric freight operations; and the MUV 75 universal motor vehicle for track maintenance. The company also provides complete modernization services for legacy locomotives and comprehensive after-sales service through its CZ LOKO Services subsidiary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EffiShunter 300 Modern two-axle diesel-electric locomotive for light shunting operations in depots, sidings, and stations. Suitable for metro tunnel operations due to its compliant vehicle profile. Designed for lowest acquisition and operational costs. Customer base includes České dráhy (Czech Republic) and PKP Intercity and METRO WARSZAWSKIE (Poland).
• EffiShunter 600 Four-axle diesel-electric locomotive for medium-heavy shunting, primarily on industrial sidings. Designed for demanding conditions with elevated ambient temperatures and dust typical of steel mill environments. Supplied to customers including Škoda Auto and Třinecké železárny with bundled 10-year full-service contracts.
• EffiShunter 1000 Four-axle diesel-electric locomotive representing the pinnacle of CZ LOKO's current development. Designed for the most demanding industrial siding operations and line service. Can be equipped with ETCS European signaling system. TSI certification ensures maximum interoperability across EU countries. Includes the EffiShunter 1000 'Jasmína' delivered to Hrochostroj in February 2026.
• EffiShunter 1000M Comprehensive modernization of original series 740 and 742 ČKD locomotives. Capot-type locomotive with tower cab for medium-heavy shunting and line service. Approved for operation in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Over 75% of all units delivered to ČD Cargo, with 100th unit delivered in 2026 as locomotive 742.800.
• DualShunter 2000 Dual-mode locomotive combining electric and diesel power for operation on both electrified lines (3 kV DC or 25/15 kV AC) and non-electrified lines. Eliminates the need for two separate locomotives (electric and diesel). Features regenerative braking (EDB) on electrified lines. Powered by Caterpillar C32 (895 kW) plus electric traction.
• MUV 75 Universal Motor Vehicle Universal motor vehicle for railway track maintenance with hydrostatic power transmission from combustion engine to two drive wheelsets. Equipped with 300-liter fuel tank and capacity for 1+6 seated persons. Climate class for operation from -25 to +40°C. Modular platform for cranes, snowplows, and other maintenance equipment. 50 units procured by SŽDC under a ~500 million CZK contract.
• EffiLiner 3000 Dual-system electric locomotive developed through comprehensive modernization of Belgian Class 12 locomotives. Designed for long-distance cross-border freight operations in 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC systems across Czech Republic and other European countries. Continuous power 2,910 kW, maximum speed 120 km/h for freight operations. Delivered to operators including CER Cargo Holding.
• EffiLiner 1600 Diesel-electric four-axle locomotive offering high reliability and low operating and maintenance costs for heavy shunting operations. Supplied to operators including CER Cargo Holding for cross-border operations in Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
• Locomotive Modernization Service Full modernization of legacy ČKD, Ługańsk, BMZ, FabLok, and General Electric locomotives including new engines, alternators, digital control systems, cab redesign, and ETCS retrofit. Extends operational life by 20–30 years with investment typically recovered in 5–10 years versus a 30-year lifecycle of repairs.
• CZ LOKO Services (Maintenance and After-Sales) Full-service maintenance contracts including warranty and post-warranty service, spare parts supply, and technical support for both CZ LOKO and third-party locomotives. Delivered through wholly-owned subsidiary CZ LOKO Services a.s.
• EasyRENT Locomotive Rental Short-term and long-term locomotive rental service offering operators fleet access without capital purchase, with flexible terms and bundled support via [email protected].
• Locomotive Components and Spare Parts Production and supply of locomotive components including wheel sets, bogies, compressors, traction motors, and electronic systems for both new builds and after-sales support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Investment recovery in 5-10 years for modernization vs. 30-year lifecycle
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zeppelin CZ s.r.o. (Caterpillar)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2004Strategic partnership established in 2004 for supply of Caterpillar engines and power systems used across the EffiShunter locomotive family. CAT engines (C13, C18, C27, C32, CAT 3508C) power all locomotive products.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationTraction alternators and control systems from Siemens integrated into CZ LOKO locomotives, providing reliable power conversion and digital control capabilities.
• MSV ElektronikacoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital control systems with tempomat and remote diagnostics via GSM/GPS technologies, developed in collaboration with MSV Elektronika for locomotive management and monitoring.
• Mercitalia Shunting & TerminalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian railway operator operating EffiShunter 1000 locomotives in Italian market, representing ongoing customer relationship with repeat orders.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CRRC: World's largest rolling stock manufacturer with growing European footprint through Vossloh's former locomotive activities; competes with CZ LOKO on price-sensitive European tenders and modernization programs.
• Alstom: Global rail OEM with broad locomotive portfolio (including shunting and modernization) and extensive European service network; overlaps with CZ LOKO on large multi-country fleet tenders and modernization programs.
• Progress Rail (EMD): Caterpillar-owned locomotive manufacturer and remanufacturer offering new builds, modernization and aftermarket services globally; competes with CZ LOKO on shunting and freight modernization while also being a sister ecosystem to its engine supplier (Caterpillar).
• Siemens Mobility: German rail technology major producing locomotives, components and ETCS/TSI subsystems; competes with CZ LOKO on integrated locomotive and modernization offerings and is also a component supplier (traction alternators, controls) used by CZ LOKO.

Direct peers

• Vossloh: German rail technology group historically active in shunting/specialty locomotives (Vossloh Locomotives legacy); direct overlap on industrial shunting and rail-services markets across Europe.
• Stadler Rail: Swiss manufacturer of locomotives, multiple units and rolling stock with strong European presence, including shunting and dual-system locomotives; competes with CZ LOKO on regional passenger and freight tenders across Central Europe.
• Schöma (Christoph Schöttler Maschinenfabrik): German specialist builder of diesel-electric shunting locomotives for rail operators and industrial sidings; competes head-to-head with CZ LOKO in the European shunting-locomotive segment.
• Gmeinder: German manufacturer of diesel and electric shunting locomotives; closely comparable niche player to CZ LOKO with similar focus on heavy-industry and rail operator customers.

Emerging players

• National Railway Equipment (NRE): US-based locomotive remanufacturer and leasing company focused on rebuilding and modernizing legacy diesel locomotives; analogous business model to CZ LOKO's modernization franchise, though operating in North America.
• Brookville Equipment Corporation: US manufacturer of specialized locomotives and mining/industrial rail vehicles; analogous niche in custom shunting and specialty rail vehicles though operating primarily in North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CZ_LOKO
• Facebookfacebook.com/czloko
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cz-loko

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 CZ LOKO