What began two decades ago in a living room—with prototype sensors hidden behind the sofa—has evolved into a global force in railway technology. Founders Martin Joch and Günter Petschnig discuss their journey from university researchers to international corporate leaders, candidly addressing growth phases, key operational insights, and what drives their vision forward. Behind their technical milestones lies a fundamental truth: long-term success is built on mutual trust, shared culture, and steady innovation.
How did the company come to be founded?
Joch:We worked for many years at Graz University of Technology, where the environment changed significantly over time. What started as a research project gradually turned into real engineering work – and we realized that clients actually wanted to work with us, rather than the institution behind us.
Petschnig: At some point, it became clear: If we didn’t take the plunge now, we’ would never do it. So, we founded the company.
At the same time, the timing was ideal: The rail industry was undergoing a major transformation; many testing and acceptance services were being outsourced to external service providers for the first time, and there were also large-scale modernization programs for rolling stock and infrastructure. We were simply in the right place at the right time with the right focus.
One of your most important milestones was ISO 17025 accreditation. Why?
Petschnig: Because it laid the foundation for us to establish ourselves as an independent testing laboratory. We were the first ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratory in Austria.
Joch: Back then, the field was completely uncharted territory. There was hardly anyone who could explain how to set up such a system properly. Today, this allows us to perform virtually all relevant tests in the railway sector – that was a real turning point.
How has the company evolved technically?
Joch: As we’ve grown, our technical interests have also evolved in different directions. The metrology division has increasingly shifted toward engineering, simulations, and FEA calculations.
Petschnig: At the same time, we developed our own product, the WaggonTracker – marking a completely different direction for the company.
What were the biggest challenges during the start-up phase?
Joch: Surprisingly, it wasn’t the technology. Technically, we’ve always been very strong. The biggest challenge was the growth of the organization.
Petschnig: In the beginning, we were just friends working together. Later on, you need structures, clear roles, and professional leadership. We had to learn that – sometimes the hard way.
‘We were the first testing laboratory in Austria to be accredited to ISO 17025.’
What are your strengths?
Joch: Günter is extremely quick to execute and thinks very strategically. I focus more on the details and structure things for the long term.
Petschnig: With these two different strengths, we get projects and initiatives off to fruition: technically sound, quickly, and yet always correctly.
What is your key to success? What matters most when two people start a business together?
Joch: We’ve always shared the same goal and the same vision for PJM.
Petschnig: We often have quite different approaches because we simply have different personalities – but we’ve always found a solution together. We pursue the
same goals. That’s incredibly important.
What role did investments and growth play?
Petschnig: It was always clear to us: We wouldn’t strip the company down – we’d build it up. Profits were consistently reinvested in technology, test benches, development, and talented people. Our goal has always been long-term growth and sustainable development.
‘We offer services for rail transportation: from measurement technology to authorisation management and certification, all the way to digitalization for freight transport.’
Today, the group comprises 7 companies. What unites them?
Joch: The connecting elements can be viewed at two levels. The first is the technical expertise of all employees at the PJM companies, and the second is their attitude. In terms of our technical capabilities, the specialist departments complement one another perfectly. We have specialists for every stage of the rail vehicle development process, enabling us to offer vehicle manufacturers a comprehensive service from initial concept to commercial operation.
Petschnig: Concerning the attitude, we have a great asset: The common denominator is our understanding of the railway system as a whole. We don’t just look at individual components, but at the entire system. Each company contributes its own strengths, and at the same time, everyone benefits from one another. Drawing on the movie “A Beautiful Mind,” both independence and cohesion within a group are important. Everyone in the group must look out for themselves – and for the group.
What are the benefits that the PJM Group provides for customers?
Petschnig: Our client partners benefit from more than just specialist knowledge in specific fields. We have been familiar with the railway system for 25 years. Our in-depth understanding of the system means we are familiar with the problems and challenges our clients face. Our expertise and experience complement one another. For example, much of the knowledge we gained from our initial work in measurement technology has been incorporated into our digitalisation platform, WaggonTracker. Which components are important? What data do I need?
How can I measure it most reliably?
Joch: A further example is the integration of theory and practice in engineering. Thanks to the close collaboration of our experts in design (CAD), analysis (FEM), simulation (MBS), measurement technology and certification, we have a unique understanding of systems and expertise in developing structural railway components. Thanks to our many years of experience in metrology, we are well placed to evaluate the results of calculations or simulations. Are the results valid? Do they make sense?
What do you prioritize as an employer?
Joch: Employee satisfaction is extremely important to us. We want people to be able to put their ideas into practice and enjoy working here.
Petschnig: And we’ve learned that a good team is crucial to the company’s success: Professionalism, qualifications, and team spirit are important to us.
What are the latest achievements? Are there any new developments in this anniversary year?
Joch: We have founded our first foreign branch in Switzerland. With this representative office in the Swiss market, experienced rail experts are now available on-site.
Petschnig: We have commissioned a new digital production facility for our WaggonTracker system which sets a new standard in capacity and quality assurance.
What are your hopes for the future?
Petschnig: That we continue to enjoy what we do together – and that everyone who contributes to our success also benefits personally from it.
Joch: Many areas are really just getting started. The potential is huge – technically, organizationally, and internationally.
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