Taking on North America: A Market of Firsts
Tobias’ journey at Vossloh began in 2016 as an intern. From there, his influence in the company steadily grew, culminating in a role of immense responsibility and opportunity. In 2019, he relocated to North America to introduce a game-changing innovation to an untested market: the VTM-compact.
"North America was a grinding-centric market,” Tobias explained. “We initially faced challenges introducing milling, so it became an educational process. We didn’t want to position milling as an alternative to grinding but as a complementary tool that offers unique benefits, like fixing deep rail defects previously deemed unrepairable.”
Tobias’ leadership paved the way for notable projects like the Seattle campaign and new endeavors in Toronto and Denver. With two compact machines now operating simultaneously in Canada, Vossloh is on the way to set the standard.
The Global Perspective: A New Role, Greater Challenges
After four years electrifying the North American market, Tobias returned to Germany in 2025 to take up the role of Global Operations Specialist, ushering a fresh wave of growth across continents. He is now responsible for strengthening Vossloh’s presence in Australia and Southeast Asia. Projects Down Under, like Sydney's five-year frame contract, reinforce Vossloh's ability to tackle noise and comfort issues for urban rail systems operating at high speeds.
“Australia has some prior exposure to milling technology, but places like Southeast Asia represent a different challenge altogether," Tobias shared. "Every region is unique—culturally, operationally, and technologically. Having a team that can adapt and excel within these parameters is vital."
The Human Difference: Vossloh’s Secret Weapon
Driving market-changing innovations requires more than advanced machinery. According to Tobias, people make all the difference: “A lot about milling isn't just about the machines—it’s about know-how. Operating these technologies demands experience, precision, and confidence, which the Vossloh teams are proud to deliver.”
From localized transit solutions with the VTM-compact to large-scale interventions for noise and safety across Australia, Vossloh positions itself not just as a provider but as a partner. Efforts combining rail furnishing sales with follow-up maintenance build deeper relationships across continents. “Every experience—every victory and every challenge—strengthens our ability to set new standards.”
The future of sustainable rail travel, it seems, is firmly on track.
