The General Assembly of #UNIFE held from June 15-17, 2022 in Paris ratified on June 16, 2022 the membership of RailNovation GmbH as the only Switzerland based member to join UNIFE this year.
RailNovation was presented to the members of UNIFE at the Statutory Meeting. Here the portfolio, the management and the strategy of RailNovation was key part of the presentation.
As with previous editions, the event’s Statutory Meeting allowed UNIFE’s membership to exchange on the tracks ahead for the European rail sector and set priorities for its supply industry. The UNIFE General Assembly– which is composed of its members and takes any measures or actions required for the achievement of the association’s mission and objectives, as well setting the collective’s general policy – used these conversations to inform the association’s 2022-2023 Advocacy Strategy. Cognisant of the European Commission’s climate ambitions and its envisioned role for our sector as Europe grapples with industrial challenges from third countries and the detrimental effects of both COVID-19 and the Russian war on Ukraine – which has cruelly created a new refugee crisis and have heightened security concerns across the continent – our association’s advocacy objectives for the coming year will be structured under 3 pillars:
Firstly, we will focus on how the EU can help European suppliers to continue to produce the best rail products and solutions on the world market.
Secondly, we will work on improving the business environment in the EU and internationally to ensure that European suppliers can produce and sell their products in the best conditions.
Still, the best products and a satisfactory business environment are inconsequential if there is no demand for rail products. Therefore, stimulating demand in the EU and globally will remain the critical third pillar of our policy strategy, especially in the post-COVID-19 period.
To best complete these goals, the membership elected to expand its ranks by ratifying the applications of 10 companies: Express Service ODD (BG), Dual Inventive Holding(NL), Scheidt & Bachmann Signalling Systems (DE), Expandium SAS (FR), Cylus Cybersecurity (IL), Softil (IL), DAKO-CZ (CZ), RailNovation (CH), RazorSecure(UK), Gillet Group (FR) and 1 Associate Member Rastia (BG).
The CEO of Swiss RailNovation GmbH and #RAILFLUENCER, Jan Christoph Harder welcomed the acceptance of the General Assembly of #UNIFEGA2022:
“We are thrilled and grateful for the great opportunity to join UNIFE team and activities to strengthen in the future the European and global rail market as the most sustainable mode of transportation.”, says Jan C. Harder, CEO RailNovation GmbH
Appreciating the considerations of UNIFE’s wide membership and the challenges posed by the current circumstances, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, UNIFE Chair and Alstom CEO & Chairman, welcomed the association’s newest members and the approval of the latest Advocacy Strategy by stating:
“We are the global leaders of the sustainable mobility market with off-the-shelf solutions ready for deployment to decarbonise our transport systems. Rail is ever more part of the solution.”
Subsequently, UNIFE announced the establishment of the Gender Equity Advisory Group – a body dedicated to officialising our association’s longstanding commitment to representation and empowerment of all rail colleagues. The new UNIFE Gender Equity Policy calls attention to gender disparities in rail, advocates for increased equity as essential to our sector’s optimal performance and reiterates suppliers’ obligation to address these divides. Fittingly created during the European Year of Youth, the European Rail Supply Industry remains proactive in ensuring that we are not only creating the products needed for future generations but also the professional environments which empower all young people to achieve their full potential.
In addressing the membership, UNIFE Director General Philippe Citroën voiced his confidence in our association and the continued success of Europe’s Rail Supply Industry:
“Europe and Europe’s rail suppliers can achieve even more similar successes if we use this moment – that people are beginning to recognise as a resurgence in rail – to create even greater interconnectivity across Europe. UNIFE agrees with the Commission’s recent Action Plan to boost long-distance, cross border passenger rail: Acceleration of ERTMS deployment, revision and actualization of the TEN-T Regulation, financial support for suitable rolling stock, support for a rail skills strategy, promoting rail among young people and creating a level playing field between modes and in public procurement will be key to decarbonisation and digitalisation.”
Lastly, the UNIFE General Assembly concluded with the approval of Madrid as the location for the 2023 edition, to be held between 14 and 16 June.
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