DB E.C.O. Group

Our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting and JSC "Passenger Transport" (JSC PT) have successfully concluded the first phase of their management cooperation project in Kazakhstan.  This phase focused on transforming JSC PT into a competitive, leading mobility provider. Key achievements include new maintenance plans and the ground-up formulation of a new fleet strategy. Other measures are internal restructuring and modernizing the IT, as well as the procurement of new rolling stock. This first step has significantly enhanced the company’s operational efficiency and service quality. A part of the conceptional work happened this year in Germany, when a Kazakh delegation visited our headquarters. Phase II will build on these successes, focusing on implementing intermodal transportation and introducing best practices in various departments. Our mutual goal is clear: transforming JSC PT into a high-performance entity offering modern passenger services with extensive customer care, ready to meet evolving passenger needs and contribute to economic growth. Combining German railway expertise with local knowledge has proven highly effective. As our collaboration enters its second phase, we are proud to drive positive change while fostering innovation within JSC PT and Kazakhstan's railway sector.  Credits: Vitalij Merkovskij

Launch Event of the Urban Mobility Competence Hub in India In February, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting launched the Urban Mobility Competence Hub (UMCH) in Delhi, India. The cooperation, in which DB E&C is chosen as technical competence partner, aims to address India's urban mobility needs as the country's urban population is projected to more than double by 2050. Last week, the UMCH was officially celebrated at a launch event graced by Nicola Beer, Vice President of EIB, and other key rail industry stakeholders. It marked the official kick-off of the collaboration between EIB's development capabilities and our expertise in rail systems. The hub will improve the quality and sustainability of urban mobility projects with comprehensive project preparation, appraisal, implementation and monitoring services. Through ensuring highest standards and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices, we aim to support not only the EIB, but India's railway sector. The UMCH aligns with India's 2017 New Metro Rail Policy, supporting the country's vision for modern transport systems in cities with populations over one million. We are proud to assist and ensure that this vision is brought to fruition. We thank our stakeholders and guests for their presence at the launch:  Agence Française de Développement , BMRCL, C40 Cities , KfW, KRIDE, LLC, Maha Metro, Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. and Western Railway.

Our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting showcased its digital expertise at Autodesk University 2024 in San Diego. Selected from over 3,550 submissions, our experts presented on digital rail solutions and project management platforms, highlighting innovations in the industry and demonstrating the growing adoption of digital solutions in the Latin American Railway Sector. DB E&C’s Ana De Luna and Julio Palma, representing Autodesk, discussed the transformative role of digital twins in rail asset management, focusing on the Digitale Schiene Deutschland project. They emphasized the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) data to enhance maintainance, availabilty and reliabity of railway assets, data integrity, and system resilience; and spoke about how the Autodesk tools support these processes. In another session, Marion Behrens from the CAD & BIM Competence Center of DB E&C addressed the transition from Vault to Autodesk Construction Cloud. She shared insights on overcoming challenges and ensuring a smooth migration, focusing on solutions for effective adaptation and data management.  We thank the organizers for a fantastic event and the opportunity to share our insights.  Credits: Autodesk Inc.

A delegation of our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting, including Stefan Geisperger, Director International Markets and Consulting, proudly participated in the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi. The event brought together key players to discuss critical topics in the rail industry, such as intermodal connectivity, smart mobility and digital transformation, infrastructure resilience and sustainability. The conference provided an excellent platform for networking and sharing insights on the future of rail transport. Dirk Slodzinski, Director Mobility Consulting at DB E&C, took part in a panel discussion focused on "Unlocking modal shift through cross-border interoperability and network harmonization." The participants explored strategies to enhance rail's role in cross-border transportation, emphasizing the importance of seamless integration and standardization across different rail networks. Throughout the conference, we once again felt the significance of forging strong partnerships to address mutual challenges and opportunities in the rail sector. Collaboration among policymakers, operators and technology providers is crucial for achieving our goals. By working together, we can ultimately create a more efficient and interconnected global rail network that simultaneously supports economic growth and environmental sustainability. We extend our gratitude to the organizers and thank everyone for their contributions. Credits: Victoria Shupik, Global Rail 

We are proud to announce a significant partnership with Saudi Railway Company (SAR), marking a pivotal project in the realm of high-speed rail transportation. Represented by Niko Warbanoff, CEO, and Stefan Geisperger, Managing Director International Markets and Consulting, our team signed the contract at this year’s #InnoTrans. This cooperative undertaking will focus on enhancing the maintenance and operation of the Haramain High-Speed Railway, the vital link connecting Makkah and Madinah.  Our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting will provide specialized expertise and a highly skilled workforce to support SAR in meeting the complex demands of this state-of-the-art rail system. As we have been involved in the Haramain HSR project from its very beginning with project management, construction supervision and other services, we are happy to continue our successful collaboration. This includes targeted support for daily operations and the implementation of solutions such as automation, digitalization and predictive maintenance strategies. Through this approach, we seek to decrease operational costs while simultaneously enhancing the railway's performance and reliability. Another key aspect of our partnership is knowledge transfer and localization. Through comprehensive training programs and hands-on experience, local workers will be upskilled, ensuring long-term sustainability and advancing railway expertise in Saudi Arabia. Together, SAR and DB E&C are creating a modern, future-proof transportation link to meet Saudi Arabia's ambitious development plans. Credits: David Cannafoglia, MBA

Successful Conclusion of the 1st International LEAD Program at DB E.C.O. Group    Our first international #LEADprogram is completed. Over the past 8 months, our international group of participants has gone through an intense journey, mastering essential leadership skills such as Change Management, Conflict Management, Negotiation, Intercultural and Virtual Leadership, as well as Onboarding and Retention strategies.     One of the greatest takeaways from this experience has been the beneficial influence of diversity and collaboration. Our participants—representing various cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives—have not only learned from the program but from each other. This diversity is one of our company’s key strengths. As we take on further strategic lighthouse projects abroad, strong leadership is critical for success. These talented leaders are now equipped to drive these high-impact initiatives forward, benefiting the entire Deutsche Bahn and contributing to the future of the global rail industry.     A heartfelt thank you to all participants, our trainer, and supporters for making this first international program such a success! 🌍🚆    #Talents #LeadershipDevelopment #RailwayForTomorrow Katrin Suenderhauf Giada Feroce Rafal Wolf Jil Buchweitz Stefan Thode Credits: Maria Wolf

This year's #InnoTrans showcased the rail industry's resilience and innovation. One of the most significant initiatives showcased was our Egyptian-German Train Driver Exchange Program. Launched in collaboration with DB Rail Academy, this program addresses skilled labor shortages in Germany while fostering international cooperation and knowledge transfer. To spotlight this program, we hosted a panel discussion that brought together two participating train drivers, along with perspectives from recruiting and strategy experts, including our CEO Niko Warbanoff. The program has already seen success with its first group of Egyptian train drivers progressing through their 16-month training. #InnoTrans2024 provided a setting for high-level discussions and strategic planning. We facilitated meetings between transport ministers and industry leaders, while our booth served as a hub for networking. Once again, we want to extend our gratitude to our clients, partners, and colleagues from around the world for the meaningful encounters we had at this year's fair.

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, the DB E.C.O. Group extends our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating. Rosh Hashanah, meaning "head of the year" in Hebrew, marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and the year 5785 of the Jewish calendar. As the start of the High Holy Days, this two-day celebration leads to Jom Kippur and is a time for reflection, renewal and new beginnings.  From all of us at the DB E.C.O. Group, we wish our Jewish colleagues, partners, and friends a year filled with health, happiness, and success. Shanah Tovah U'metukah - May you have a good and sweet new year!  #RoshHashanah Credits: Adobe - Katsiaryna Hatsak 

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting our customer reception at InnoTrans 2024 for more than 300 attendees. The event brought together a diverse group of industry professionals, some of them meeting in person for the first time, and creating an ideal environment for networking and knowledge sharing. Our CEO Niko Warbanoff, began the event with a compelling speech, highlighting our commitment to international and strategic collaboration: "Our global partners share our collective efforts to enhance railway transport for both industry stakeholders and customers. These partnerships are not just about business; they're about transforming the future of mobility and creating sustainable solutions that benefit everyone. I am proud of everything we have achieved so far and glad to see so many familiar faces this evening." Guests, among them representatives of the Board of Managing Directors of our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting, Andrea Bertallot, Ulla Kopp and Stefan Geisperger, expressed their satisfaction with the event, enjoying the opportunity to engage with partners, clients and peers. The positive mood reflected the shared optimism for the future of railway transport and the collaborative spirit that defines the sector's approach to innovation and growth.  Thanks to the whole team for making this event a great success. Credits: JetFoto – Kranert, Martin Förster

Connections on Rails: Dialogue between Latin America and Germany for Railway Reactivation Hosted last week by DB E.C.O. Group, the first Latin American Railway Symposium took place in Potsdam, Germany. This event brought together 45 key decision-makers from across Latin America's public and private sectors. Our Executive Director for Latin America, Carsten Puls, kicked off the event, setting the stage for insightful discussions and knowledge sharing with an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists. Verónica Raffo from the World Bank delivered a keynote on sustainability in rail infrastructure and was followed by Stefan Geisperger, Executive Director International Markets & Consulting, who shared insights on German railways. Our panel discussion on common challenges in the railway development in Latin America included valuable contributions from high ranked executives and experts representing countries such as Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Argentina. The day concluded with interactive workshops led by our experts, covering crucial topics like operational knowledge integration, digitalization and mixed traffic solutions. JAVIER FLECHAS, Engineering and Planning Manager of Railway Projects at the Bogotá Metro company in Colombia: "This symposium was an invaluable experience. It recognizes our work on the Bogotá Metro and places it in a context with other metro systems, such as those in Buenos Aires, Chile and Medellín, and broader experiences from the rail sector. These exchanges amplify our expertise and contribute to the continued growth of our industry." Our sincere thanks go to all our speakers, panelists, and attendees for their contributions to this successful event. Together, we're paving the way for sustainable and efficient railway solutions in Latin America.