As Brisbane gears up to host the Olympic Games in 2032, pump specialist Circutec is at the heart of a major transport upgrade.
Brisbane’s Olympic journey is backed by a massive $7.1 billion investment to develop and upgrade venues across Queensland.
A key part of the plan is the transformation of the Victoria Park precinct, which will include a new Olympic stadium, aquatic centre, and train station.
In parallel, a $12.4 billion transport infrastructure spend is set to transform how people move across the state. This includes the construction of 65 new electric trains under the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, the rollout of faster rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and stage one of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail project, linking Beerwah and Caloundra.
To support this, German engineering company Circutec – recently rebranded from Speck – has been engaged to deliver cutting-edge hydraulic pumps for the new fleet of trains.
Drawing on over 40 years of global experience in rail pump technology, Circutec is designing and manufacturing custom canned motor pumps that play a vital role in thermal management systems, such as liquid-cooled traction system converters and wind power transformers.
“There was a need for a new type of hydraulic pump,” Circutec Australia director Gary Heiden told Pump Industry. “As a bespoke manufacturer, Circutec was brought in to develop a tailored solution.”
These robust pumps are capable of transporting water-glycol mixtures or oil across extreme temperature ranges – from -50°C to over +85°C – ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments.
Circutec will continue supplying pumps for the Olympic train project annually through to around 2029, delivering a total of 50 to 60 units.
Beyond Brisbane
Circutec’s rail expertise is also being applied internationally, supporting Germany’s move towards hydrogen-powered rail. The company is supplying around 500 bespoke pumps for a pilot project involving long-distance hydrogen freight trains.
“Hydrogen can be volatile,” Heiden said. “The pumps need to be flameproof and explosion-proof, with specific ATEX parameters. These are highly precise specifications.”
This project showcases Circutec’s ability to develop innovative solutions for both traditional and emergingindustries.
As the company eyes 2026, Circutec is positioning itself as a key player in Australia’s expanding defence manufacturing sector.
In August, the Federal Government awarded a $10 billion contract to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build a fleet of Mogami-class frigates – three in Japan, and eight in Western Australia. Additionally, shipbuilder Austal secured a strategic agreement to construct 18 Landing Craft Medium and eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels at its Perth facility, with final deliveries expected by 2032.
Circutec is poised to supply its proven side channel pumps for new vessels, a technology already in use on frigates and destroyers worldwide.
“We expect defence to be a major growth area for us from 2026 onward,” Heiden said. “Our pumps are trusted for essential water services on naval ships, and we’re ready to scale.”
can transport water-glycol mixtures or oil across extreme temperature ranges. Image: Circutec
Diversification across industries
While rail and defence are strategic pillars, Circutec’s pump solutions span a wide range of industries including industrial heating and cooling, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemical processing, energy and renewables, and science and research.
“Our pumps are used in everything from pharmaceutical pill production to sterilising surgical tools in hospitals,” Heiden said. “We also support commercial ovens and high-temperature oil transfers.”
What sets Circutec apart is its commitment to bespoke engineering.
“OEMs often come to us with a specific need instead of an off-the-shelf solution,” Heiden said. “We design, build and deliver it. That’s what we do best.”
From Olympic trains to hydrogen freight, naval vessels to surgical theatres, Circutec continues to drive innovation through purpose-built pumping solutions – powering industries now and into the future.
This feature appeared in the Summer 2025/26 edition of Pump Industry.
