UK rail supply community gathers in Berlin to promote global trade and exports

Over 120 rail supply companies from across the UK have gathered at the world’s largest trade fair, InnoTrans, this week to promote the UK’s impressive global rail offer. 

As part of the four-day event, a host of Railway Industry Association (RIA) members attended a networking reception at the British Embassy in Berlin on Wednesday night – hosted by the British Ambassador to Germany, Jill Gallard CMG, the Department for International Trade, and RIA. 

The event, which was sponsored by Rail Products UK, Xrail, Rail Business Daily, British Steel, Furrer+Frey and Pandrol, was also attended and addressed by Department for Transport Director Dan Moore.

Mr Moore was also taken on tours of the exhibition on Tuesday and Wednesday, meeting many RIA members at their stands. 

RIA Chief Executive, Darren Caplan, who also spoke at the reception, said: “It’s fantastic to be back in Berlin to attend InnoTrans after a four year break caused by the pandemic.

“This week has shown once again that the UK rail supply sector is an exporting powerhouse, selling the very best innovations, products and services to the rest of the world while also helping to innovate and improve our railways at home. 

“I’d like to thank the British Ambassador to Germany, Jill Gallard CMG, for hosting us at the British Embassy, and the DfT’s Dan Moore for coming to Berlin to meet so many RIA members, attend the reception, and demonstrate welcome Government support for the rail supply sector at an international level”.

Dan Moore, Director of Rail Strategy and Analysis at the Department for Transport said: "InnoTrans is a display of world-leading rail technology and innovation and I have been struck by the calibre of exhibiting UK suppliers. It was fantastic to speak to many exhibiting UK companies to understand the opportunities and challenges they face in markets around the world. The Government is committed to supporting and growing rail exports and I wish all suppliers a successful InnoTrans".

1. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk