Frauscher Sensor Technology has appointed Mayank Tripathi as Vice President and General Manager with effect from 1 January 2026, marking a leadership transition following the conclusion of Michael Thiel’s 15-year tenure at the end of 2025. The change forms part of the company’s planned succession process and follows its integration into the Digital Intelligence division of Wabtec Corporation after the acquisition was completed in December 2025.
According to a press release issued by Frauscher Sensor Technology, the appointment is intended to ensure continuity in management as the company enters its next phase of development within the Wabtec group. Tripathi succeeds Thiel, who served as Chief Executive Officer during a period of international expansion and organisational growth.
During Thiel’s tenure, Frauscher expanded operations from its Austrian base to 15 countries and increased its workforce to more than 700 employees. The company’s sensor-based rail systems have been installed in over 100 countries, supporting railway operators and signalling providers across multiple markets.
“Leading Frauscher has been the privilege of my professional life,” Thiel said. “I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved together – not just in terms of growth and market position, but in the culture of innovation, quality, and customer partnership we have built.” He added that the leadership transition reflects continuity in the company’s strategic direction.
Tripathi brings more than 20 years of experience in the rail industry to the role. Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Sales Officer at Frauscher, where he was responsible for global sales strategy and customer relationships across regions. His role included overseeing commercial operations and supporting the company’s international market presence.
“I’m honoured to lead Frauscher into this next phase,” Tripathi said. “My focus will be on maintaining what defines the company while working with Wabtec to support innovation, expand our global reach, and deliver value to customers.”
Before joining Frauscher, Tripathi held senior roles in rail and industrial technology companies, with responsibilities spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He holds a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Nancy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He will continue to be based in France.
Frauscher Sensor Technology develops sensor-based solutions for railway applications, including wheel detection and axle counting systems, and supplies rail infrastructure operators and signalling partners globally.
The company operates in India through Frauscher Sensor Technology India Private Limited, which serves as its local subsidiary. The Indian operations support sales, engineering, application design, commissioning, and after-sales services for rail infrastructure projects. The company has been involved in metro rail projects across multiple Indian cities, where its wheel detection and axle counting solutions are used in signalling and train control applications. These deployments support both conventional signalling and communications-based train control (CBTC) environments.