Stadler Rail AG
Stadler Rail AG is a Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock headquartered in Bussnang, Thurgau. Founded in 1942, the company has grown from a regional supplier into an international group with production and service facilities across Europe and North America.
Stadler produces a wide range of vehicles including regional and commuter trains, light rail and metro systems, and locomotives. Its best-known product families are the FLIRT (“Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train”), a modular multiple unit widely used across Europe, and the KISS (“Komfortabler Innovativer Spurtstarker S-Bahn-Zug”), a double-deck electric multiple unit for suburban and intercity services. For freight, Stadler’s flagship platform is the EURODUAL, a dual-mode locomotive capable of operating on both electrified and non-electrified lines.
The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and supplies both public and private operators. Stadler positions itself as a provider of energy-efficient solutions and cross-border interoperability, aligning with European transport and climate objectives.
History
Stadler was founded in 1942 by engineer Ernst Stadler as a small workshop in Zurich before relocating to Bussnang in 1962. For decades the company specialised in tailor-made rail vehicles for Swiss operators.
From the 1990s, Stadler expanded internationally with the introduction of the FLIRT and KISS platforms, which became successful across Europe. Growth accelerated through acquisitions, including the takeover of locomotive facilities in Valencia, Spain, in 2016.
In April 2019 Stadler completed an initial public offering (IPO) on the SIX Swiss Exchange, marking its transformation into a global rail manufacturer.
Products
Stadler’s portfolio covers passenger and freight vehicles, including:
FLIRT – modular electric and diesel multiple unit for regional and intercity services
KISS – double-deck electric multiple unit for suburban and intercity networks
CITYLINK – light rail and tram-train vehicle for regional and urban transport
TANGO – tram and light rail vehicle for city networks
EURODUAL – dual-mode freight locomotive combining electric and diesel traction
EUROLIGHT – lightweight diesel and electric locomotives for freight and passenger services
Production and facilities
Stadler’s historic base remains in Bussnang, where it continues to develop and manufacture FLIRT and KISS trainsets as well as light rail vehicles.
A major production site is Stadler Valencia in Spain, acquired in 2016. The facility specialises in the development and manufacture of locomotives, including the EURODUAL platform, and serves as the group’s main centre for heavy rail freight and long-distance traction.
Additional plants are located in Germany, Poland, Belarus, Hungary and the United States, supporting both vehicle production and maintenance services.