DB Cargo UK to collaborate with SMEs on digitalisation and sustainability
DB Cargo UK is challenging the SME community to help it improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its major engineering depots at Toton, Stoke and Crewe.
Through its membership of the Rail Forum Midlands (RFM), the company is inviting SMEs to come up with innovative solutions to a range of issues relating to the ongoing digitalisation of its depots and how to make them even more environmentally-sustainable.
The challenge, which will be formally launched at an online event on 19th July, will be the third initiative of its kind run by RFM as part of the Rail Supply Group’s Rail Sector Deal Midlands Pilot.
Marie Hill, DB Cargo UK’s Chief Digitalisation and Transformation Officer, said the innovative call-to-action is a great opportunity for SMEs to work collaboratively with one of the UK’s largest rail freight operators.
“Our vision is to become the first choice for rail logistics and the work undertaken at our engineering depots plays a pivotal role in ensuring we can provide customers with fast, efficient and reliable rail solutions,” said Marie.
“We have recently launched a new company strategy that places digitalisation, safety and sustainability at the centre of our decision-making, so we’re really excited to tap into the extensive knowledge and experience of the SME community who have a great track record for doing things differently,” she added.
Bob Hodgson, Engagement Manager at RFM, said; “We are really pleased to be working with DB Cargo UK to bring this third challenge opportunity to the SME community. Some of the areas SMEs could consider and that we will discuss at the launch event are digitally monitoring vehicle movements and workflow within the depot, depot emissions monitoring, asset mapping, intelligent lighting and heating and increased automation”.
The new challenge comes hot on the heels of last week’s announcement of the winners of the recent First of a Kind (FOAK) InnovateUK funding round. This included four ideas originally submitted as part of the previous SME challenge, Opportunities to Decarbonise Freight, organised by the Rail Forum.
Elaine Clark, CEO of RFM, said; “ This success demonstrates that the challenges are providing real opportunities for SMEs to work collaboratively with clients to take their ideas from concepts through to the next stages of development and we look forward to watching them come to life.”
For more information on the Challenges contact robert@midlandsrail.co.uk
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For further information, please contact DB Cargo UK’s Senior Communications Manager Richard Sears on 07716 691193 or email him at Richard.sears@deutschebahn.com
Alternatively, send your enquiries to robert@midlandsrail.co.uk
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