UK railway suppliers are invited to apply to join a Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Railway Industry Association (RIA) rail trade mission to Spain, subject to 1-2-1 meetings being pre-approved with Spanish based procurement officials from CAF, Talgo, Renfe and Euskotren. The mission’s focus will be on products and systems for rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance.

Companies willing to participate are requested to apply in RIA’s website. They will then need to fill out a short questionnaire asking for information about products and credentials. Based on the information provided, the Spanish clients will preselect those they wish to meet to ensure that everybody’s interests are aligned – only those companies will be invited to participate in the mission. Be aware that this may mean UK suppliers are offered 1 or more appointments or not be invited to participate at all. 

Please see the Spanish clients’ areas of interest in the “shopping lists” document linked here.

Local companies’ participating profiles:

CAF Group comprises over 40 companies delivering global rail and bus solutions. With a workforce of more than 16,000 people, it operates in more than 60 countries worldwide. CAF has production facilities in Spain, France, the UK, Poland, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as numerous maintenance centres across five continents. In 2024, CAF reported €4.21?billion turnover, up 10% from 2023, and employed 16,330 people. In the UK, it has a manufacturing plant in Newport (Wales) and offices and maintenance depots in Manchester, Coventry, while its subsidiary BWB Consulting maintains additional offices across the country. Since 2015, CAF has won UK rolling stock contracts for operators including West Midlands Trains, Northern, Heathrow Express or LNER. They have also won business in “Train Control Systems Framework” implementing new digital signalling (ETCS) or maintenance (Northern Trains). 

Founded in 1942 and currently undergoing a major shareholding restructuring, Talgo specialises in high-speed, intercity and commuter rail solutions. With two major manufacturing sites in Spain and service depots in Germany, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and the US, Talgo employs 2,800 staff and reported revenues of c.€580m in 2024. Although not currently supplying trains to any UK customers and its high-profile bid for HS2 proved unsuccessful, the company continues to position itself for future opportunities in Britain and is keen to expand its UK supply chain with innovative and high-quality firms. Talgo’s current biggest order is a €2.4bn contract with Germany’s FlixTrain for up to 65 high-speed trains.

After 5 years, Renfe remains the dominant rail operator in the liberalised Spanish rail passenger market with a c.70% share, well ahead of SNCF (trading as Ouigo) and Trenitalia (ditto as Iryo). It operates high-speed, long-distance, regional, commuting and freight transport services across the country with a varied rolling-stock fleet, as well as some international services (eg. in KSA). The company has recently pledged to invest €1bn between 2025 and 2030 to modernise and expand its maintenance business, marking the largest investment in this area in its history. 85% of Renfe’s network of 60+ depots will be upgraded with advanced digital tools to reduce turnaround times. The investment coincides with the arrival of 550 new trains ordered in 2021.

Euskotren is the Basque Country’s government-owned public transport company, operating an integrated network of trains, trams, buses, and a funicular railway in northern Spain. Founded in 1982, the company is responsible for virtually all regional transit services in the Basque Autonomous Community – including five narrow-gauge commuter rail lines, the tram systems in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz, Metro Bilbao’s Line 3, various provincial bus routes, and a historic funicular. Major current projects include preparing for the new underground rail link (“Topo” tunnel) in San Sebastián, which will further expand service by 2026.

Mission dates: 3-5 March 2026

Costs, travel

- Participation in the trade mission will cost £375 + VAT. Payment will be invoiced once appointments are confirmed. 2 delegate company limit, 2nd delegate is at no cost.
- Mission delegates will need to cover their own travel and subsistence costs, noting possible requirements to fly between Bilbao and Madrid
- Do not commit to flights or book accommodation until appointments are confirmed and invitation to participate is confirmed.

Registration and Eligibility

- The event is open to all UK registered companies, a maximum of 2 delegates per company.
- Applications are open until full or Friday 23 January 2026.
- Please note you will be first required to create an account if you have not used the RIA booking system before. On successful registration delegates will receive an automated email confirmation.

Programme (draft)

Tuesday 3 March - Delegates to make their way to Madrid; 20:00 – 22:00 - Welcome dinner with local contacts (TBC)

Wednesday 4 March - Delegates to make their way to the British Embassy where 1 to 1 meetings will take place.
09:00 – 12:00 - 1 to 1 meetings with Talgo, and Renfe 
12:30 – 13:30 - Site visit (TBC)
Late afternoon - delegates to make their way to Bilbao

Thursday 5 March - Transport to Beasain (CAF HQ) for the 1 to 1 meetings. Meetings with Euskotren will also be held at CAF’s premises.

08:00 – 09:15 - Transport to Beasain (provided by organisation)
09:30 – 12:30 - 1 to 1 meetings
12:30 – 14:00 - Transport to Bilbao airport (provided by organisation)