Greenbrier Europe
Greenbrier Europe is a freight wagon and bogie manufacturer with production facilities in Poland and Romania, supplying wagon operators, lessors, and freight railways across Europe.
Greenbrier Europe is the European division of The Greenbrier Companies, a US transportation manufacturer listed on the New York Stock Exchange (GBX).
The division was formed in 2017, when Greenbrier acquired a 75% stake in Romanian wagon builder Astra Rail Industries for EUR 60 million and combined it with its existing plant in Świdnica, Poland.
The company lists its headquarters as Świdnica, Poland, and Arad, Romania, on its website.
Products and services
Greenbrier Europe designs, engineers, and manufactures freight wagons and bogies. Its published product catalogue covers box, covered, flat, hopper, intermodal, tank, steel product, and special wagons, plus car carriers and bogies.
Beyond new-build manufacturing, the company offers wagon maintenance, repair, and refurbishment. Leasing is handled through a dedicated division, Greenbrier Leasing Europe (GBXLE).
Production footprint
Following a restructuring in 2025, Greenbrier Europe operates three production facilities: Świdnica in Poland, and Caracal and Drobeta-Turnu Severin in Romania, supported by a research and development centre.
The Caracal site covers 225,000 square metres, with 114,000 square metres under roof, and has produced more than 70,000 wagons since 1973.
In April 2025, the company announced the closure of its historic Arad plant in Romania, founded in 1854, affecting roughly 700 employees. Production was consolidated at Caracal and Drobeta-Turnu Severin, citing rising operating costs and the plant’s age and urban location.
Market position
The Romanian plants have a combined production capacity estimated at around 5,000 wagons per year, according to figures reported in the Romanian financial press. Its Romanian subsidiary Astra Rail Industries reported revenues of EUR 241 million and close to 2,300 employees at the end of 2023.
Customers include operators and lessors in Western Europe and the UK. Deliveries to the UK market include FEA-G intermodal wagons and JNA-X box wagons for Porterbrook and GB Railfreight, the latter used to transport construction materials for HS2.
Current activity
Greenbrier Europe has announced its participation at InnoTrans Berlin 2026 and lists transport logistic 2027 among upcoming trade fairs. The company is a member of the UK Rail Freight Group.
