14
November
2024
2024
RM Rail Plays Host to OPZT Conference
The event was timed to World Quality Day
RM Rail, Russia's leading freight rolling stock manufacturer, hosted the OPZT conference commemorating World Quality Day under the theme Freight and Special Rolling Stock: Management Systems Development, Modern Approaches, and Trends.
The event brought together manufacturers of railway rolling stock and components, railcar repair companies, quality control and monitoring systems providers, and representatives from industry research institutes. The attendees were welcomed by OPZT President Valentin Gapanovich, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia Batyr Emeev, Deputy Head of the Federal Service for Transport Supervision Victor Gulin, and (via videoconferencing) Deputy Head of the Federal Railway Transport Agency Alexander Ivanov.
The meeting covered discussions on enhancing product and service quality, implementing digital technologies in railway rolling stock manufacturing and operations, and reviewing the progress of artificial intelligence applications in freight railcar production.
Representatives from RM Rail enterprises—Ruzkhimmash and VKM-Stal plants—shared their experience under the Electronic Inspector project. Its implementation started in 2020. A system framework has been established for tracking the lifecycle of freight rolling stock components, enabling their step-by-step consolidation into the VU-4M passport, which is generated based on component passports already registered in the database. Over the past year, the range of items entered into the system has been substantially expanded. The use of digital tools for identification and lifecycle monitoring of rolling stock components holds strategic significance for the entire industry, as it substantially reduces the risk of counterfeit parts entering the production process.
The need to introduce the Quality Management System at railcar repair facilities emerged as another crucial point of discussion. The participants emphasized the need to begin this work without delay. The Quality Management System serves as the foundation for maintaining high standards in both manufacturing and maintenance of rolling stock. Without a systematic approach in this area, customers face substantial economic risks.
During the conference, cooperation agreements were signed between OPZT and the Eurasian Association of Expert Organizations for Conformity Assessment and Certification, as well as between OPZT and the Union of Bearing Manufacturers. The final decisions of the conference will be documented in the meeting minutes.
OPZT President Valentin Gapanovich,
"The industry has always required modern rolling stock along with its quality maintenance, efficient operation, and safety standards. All manufacturers are consistently working toward this goal. RM Rail is actively developing next-generation rail cars. Every other tank car in Russia is manufactured here in Mordovia. This is a promising niche and a solid strategy. I also consider articulated railcars and temperature-controlled rolling stock to be segments of strategic significance."
Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia
Batyr Emeev, "It is a great honor for us that Mordovia was selected to host the OPZT conference. Railroad freight transportation is a key industry that ensures, among other things, the nation's technological independence. We can see the tremendous impact that each enterprise represented here has on their respective regions, as exemplified by RM Rail, which plays a vital role in the economy of the Republic of Mordovia. I want to thank everyone involved for contributing to the industry's development and wish you all continued success in your work."
RM Rail CEO Maxim Tevs,
"This year has been very fruitful for RM Rail. We are rapidly expanding our production of railcars and containers, as well as large railcar castings. Most importantly, we continued executing our development strategy, which focuses on producing customized rolling stock models with superior performance characteristics through partnerships with our customers. The launch of an innovative bogie with a 25-ton axle load marked a significant milestone for the company, with plans to transition all manufactured railcars to this new design.
I am confident that the OPZT conference will serve as another stepping stone for growth for every participant. This is a unique platform for collaboration where we can have open discussions about all current industry issues. We're partners here, not competitors. Working together enables us to create effective solutions to address the systemic challenges confronting us."
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The event brought together manufacturers of railway rolling stock and components, railcar repair companies, quality control and monitoring systems providers, and representatives from industry research institutes. The attendees were welcomed by OPZT President Valentin Gapanovich, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia Batyr Emeev, Deputy Head of the Federal Service for Transport Supervision Victor Gulin, and (via videoconferencing) Deputy Head of the Federal Railway Transport Agency Alexander Ivanov.
The meeting covered discussions on enhancing product and service quality, implementing digital technologies in railway rolling stock manufacturing and operations, and reviewing the progress of artificial intelligence applications in freight railcar production.
Representatives from RM Rail enterprises—Ruzkhimmash and VKM-Stal plants—shared their experience under the Electronic Inspector project. Its implementation started in 2020. A system framework has been established for tracking the lifecycle of freight rolling stock components, enabling their step-by-step consolidation into the VU-4M passport, which is generated based on component passports already registered in the database. Over the past year, the range of items entered into the system has been substantially expanded. The use of digital tools for identification and lifecycle monitoring of rolling stock components holds strategic significance for the entire industry, as it substantially reduces the risk of counterfeit parts entering the production process.
The need to introduce the Quality Management System at railcar repair facilities emerged as another crucial point of discussion. The participants emphasized the need to begin this work without delay. The Quality Management System serves as the foundation for maintaining high standards in both manufacturing and maintenance of rolling stock. Without a systematic approach in this area, customers face substantial economic risks.
During the conference, cooperation agreements were signed between OPZT and the Eurasian Association of Expert Organizations for Conformity Assessment and Certification, as well as between OPZT and the Union of Bearing Manufacturers. The final decisions of the conference will be documented in the meeting minutes.
OPZT President Valentin Gapanovich,
"The industry has always required modern rolling stock along with its quality maintenance, efficient operation, and safety standards. All manufacturers are consistently working toward this goal. RM Rail is actively developing next-generation rail cars. Every other tank car in Russia is manufactured here in Mordovia. This is a promising niche and a solid strategy. I also consider articulated railcars and temperature-controlled rolling stock to be segments of strategic significance."
Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia
Batyr Emeev, "It is a great honor for us that Mordovia was selected to host the OPZT conference. Railroad freight transportation is a key industry that ensures, among other things, the nation's technological independence. We can see the tremendous impact that each enterprise represented here has on their respective regions, as exemplified by RM Rail, which plays a vital role in the economy of the Republic of Mordovia. I want to thank everyone involved for contributing to the industry's development and wish you all continued success in your work."
RM Rail CEO Maxim Tevs,
"This year has been very fruitful for RM Rail. We are rapidly expanding our production of railcars and containers, as well as large railcar castings. Most importantly, we continued executing our development strategy, which focuses on producing customized rolling stock models with superior performance characteristics through partnerships with our customers. The launch of an innovative bogie with a 25-ton axle load marked a significant milestone for the company, with plans to transition all manufactured railcars to this new design.
I am confident that the OPZT conference will serve as another stepping stone for growth for every participant. This is a unique platform for collaboration where we can have open discussions about all current industry issues. We're partners here, not competitors. Working together enables us to create effective solutions to address the systemic challenges confronting us."