A journey through ARCA Catenaria: innovation, growth, and the future

There is something hypnotic about the sound of a moving train. The hum of electricity coursing through the catenary, the rhythmic sway of the cars, the feeling that when you board, you become part of a story in motion. I’ve spent my life riding rails and viewing the world through a window. But there’s something few notice: behind every journey lies an endless array of parts, cables, and structures that make movement possible. And among them all, the catenary is the invisible thread that bridges distances. Today, my journey takes me to discover the story of those who have perfected, innovated, and carried it beyond borders.

The starting point: ARCA’s first steps

Every great journey has a starting point, and ARCA Catenaria’s began in 2008, in the Basque Country—a land of industry and railway tradition. At that time, the rail sector demanded more efficient electrification solutions, tailored to modernize infrastructure. That’s when the Arruti family took the first step, founding Arruti Catenaria in Mungia, a strategic location near Bilbao’s port and airport. It wasn’t just another company; it was a bet on the future.

From day one, Arruti Catenaria understood that this was more than manufacturing components—it was about designing solutions that make each trip possible. The first projects took root at home, in Spain, where the company began to earn its reputation. But no one imagined what would come next. In 2013, the first international orders arrived from France and Morocco, marking the start of its global expansion. Each new destination posed a challenge but also confirmed that something was being done right: ARCA’s name was echoing in the world’s major railway projects.

Changing landscapes: international consolidation

In 2022, Arruti Catenaria became ARCA Catenaria, adopting a new identity for a company that, far from standing still, kept moving forward. Today, sixteen years later, I gaze through the train window and see how engineering and innovation have paved the way—a path now spanning more than 20 countries.

Every journey has a point where the scenery changes. For ARCA Catenaria, that moment arrived when growth ceased to be a promise and became reality. France, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia… new markets opened their doors to a company offering far more than cables and structures: knowledge, flexibility, and solutions bespoke to each project.

Overcoming Obstacles: adapting to advance

There’s no doubt the path wasn’t easy. Every country has its own regulations, technical challenges, and ways of understanding railways. But that’s where ARCA found its true strength: the ability to listen, adapt, and grasp each market’s needs—then deliver more than a product: tailored development, applied innovation, and a commitment beyond mere delivery. Expansion was not only geographic but also technological. As the rail world moved toward greener systems, ARCA evolved too, designing ever more efficient and safe infrastructure.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned on this route, it’s that manufacturing is not the same as transforming; selling is not the same as accompanying. Because real impact lies not just in what you build, but in how it integrates with its surroundings, the safety it provides, and the trust of those who rely on it.

Miles of experience: landmark projects

I remember the first time I heard about the Tren Maya. An ambitious 1,440 km project through jungles, cities, and archaeological sites demanding efficient, reliable solutions on tight timelines. A challenge ARCA met with its hallmark solidity and expertise.

But that wasn’t the only one. ARCA has continued charting its course across global projects—from modernizing Antalya’s tram network in Turkey to the impressive Follo Line tunnel in Norway, and electrifying SNCF’s network in France. Different settings, different challenges—but the same unwavering commitment.

Excellence in every detail: quality commitment

My travels have taught me to distinguish what truly matters: not the speed of the train or the modernity of its cars, but the safety of each journey. A train is only as reliable as the infrastructure that supports it. And ARCA Catenaria learned early on that every component leaving its facilities must not only meet ISO 9001 standards but also guarantee the reliability that every trip demands. Quality is more than a standard—it’s the cornerstone of confidence on every kilometer of track.

Toward a more sustainable future

If quality defines journey safety, sustainability defines its impact. I’ve crossed cities cloaked in smog and landscapes where the air felt lighter. I’ve seen congested highways but also trains gliding in silence. And after countless trips, one thing is clear: rail is not just transportation, it’s a bet on the future.

Few know it, but trains have the lowest carbon footprint of any mobility system—only about 0.5 % of CO₂ emissions per passenger. That’s why Europe looks to electrified rail as a key to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

ARCA Catenaria understood this from day one—and more people are agreeing every day.

Growing without losing direction

What once were dreams are now realities. As the world strives to reduce its footprint, the catenary continues to stretch overhead—silent yet indispensable. Meanwhile, ARCA’s activity grows: in 2023, they moved into a new 4,500 m² plant and are planning another facility with new machinery to bolster production.

But my eyes witness that ARCA remains the same: a compact team whose greatest strength is commitment. Rather than uncontrolled expansion, they’ve chosen an agile structure and a network of local suppliers that lets them adapt swiftly without losing their essence.

Now, I see them heading toward a new goal: ranking among the world’s top four catenary suppliers. It’s not an empty ambition—it reflects a journey begun years ago that, far from stopping, keeps rolling forward on solid rails.

 

You can also read an interview about our story here.