700 Locomotives and Thousands of Jobs in 17 Years: Astana’s Industrial Potential Continues to Grow
One of the enterprise’s major achievements has been the production of 700 locomotives over 17 years of operation. Today, the enterprise employs more than 530 people, while the plant’s production capacity is up to 120 locomotives per year.
LKZ produces Evolution series locomotives, which are distinguished by high performance, efficiency and the use of modern technologies.
The products of the capital’s enterprise are in demand not only in the domestic market. Locomotives manufactured by LKZ have been and continue to be supplied to Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Production in Astana is becoming part of the regional railway infrastructure and contributes to strengthening Kazakhstan’s export potential.
Wabtec’s direct investments in Kazakhstan have amounted to more than USD 230 million. The funds have been directed towards the development of production capacities, technology transfer, specialist training and the development of the supplier production site.
Today, production and service facilities have been established around the enterprise, employing more than 1,400 specialists involved in the production, repair and maintenance of equipment, components and spare parts.
Wabtec is introducing digital solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of railway transportation. As part of the digitalization program, a pilot project was launched to use the Trip Optimizer system on Evolution series freight locomotives. The technology makes it possible to optimize locomotive control, reduce fuel consumption, and improve safety and operational efficiency. Since 2024, the industrial phase of installing Trip Optimizer on the entire fleet of Evolution series freight locomotives has been underway.
Another area of cooperation has been the development of the personnel training system. Wabtec provided the KTZ JSC training center with a locomotive simulator featuring virtual reality technology and an Evolution diesel engine model. Thanks to the modern equipment, specialists can undergo training in conditions that are as close as possible to the actual operation of the equipment. To date, more than 1,000 citizens of Kazakhstan have completed professional training at the training center.
LKZ also actively cooperates with educational organizations in the capital and specialized higher education institutions. Since 2011, more than 150 students have completed practical training at the enterprise’s production site, 10 of whom were subsequently employed.
The plant cooperates with the Astana Vocational and Technical College, Astana Technical College, Astana-Profi Municipal Services College, Academy of Logistics and Transport, and K. Satpayev Technical University.
In December 2023, Wabtec signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Bolashak Center for International Programs JSC. As part of the program, students were given the opportunity to undergo industrial training at the company’s enterprises in the United States. In 2024, four Kazakhstani students successfully completed such training.
The company provided the participants with a training program, salaries, accommodation and domestic flights within the United States.
An important area of the company’s social policy is the creation of modern infrastructure for children and young people. On April 15, 2026, the KTZ Corporate Foundation “Social Projects Fund”, with the participation of Wabtec, signed an agreement on the implementation of social projects providing for the construction of a Palace of Schoolchildren in the city of Sekseul, Kyzylorda Region, and an Art School in the city of Shalkar, Aktobe Region.
The development of LKZ is taking place as part of the capital’s large-scale industrialization. From January to July 2026, KZT 2,256.2 billion worth of industrial products were produced in Astana, with the physical volume index amounting to 111.9%. Manufacturing accounted for KZT 2,420.1 billion, with a physical volume index of 110.6%, while its share in total industrial production amounted to 95.1%.
The Astana – New City and Astana – Technopolis special economic zones play an important role in the development of the manufacturing sector, providing conditions for the implementation of major investment and industrial projects.
The capital’s largest industrial site is Industrial Park No. 1, located within the Astana – New City SEZ. A total of 145 industrial projects with a total value of more than KZT 369 billion are being implemented here. To date, 103 enterprises are operating, while another 42 projects are at the implementation stage. More than 30 production facilities are being established with foreign investment.
Enterprises located within the SEZ have created more than 7,000 permanent jobs. In addition, approximately 2,500 more jobs are planned to be created as part of the projects being implemented.
Taking into account the high demand for the establishment of new production facilities and the successful experience of Industrial Park No. 1, the Industrial Park No. 2 project is being implemented in the capital using a public-private partnership mechanism.