Škoda Group has acquired The Signalling Company
Škoda Group has acquired a 93.9 percent stake in The Signalling Company, a Belgian digital developer of on-board safety software and signaling systems for railway operators. The acquisition is in line with the Group’s strategy to expand into modern mobility systems. Earlier this year, the Group acquired the Austrian operations of Molinari Rail, an engineering […]
Škoda Group has acquired a 93.9 percent stake in The Signalling Company, a Belgian digital developer of on-board safety software and signaling systems for railway operators. The acquisition is in line with the Group’s strategy to expand into modern mobility systems. Earlier this year, the Group acquired the Austrian operations of Molinari Rail, an engineering and technical design company. The remaining 6.1 percent stake in The Signalling Company remains with the company’s two executives, Stanislas Pinte and Frederic Du Jardin.
The Signalling Company designs state-of-the-art, level 4 safety software that is fully compatible with the current European Train Control System (ETCS) standard and also applicable to autonomous mobility.
«Expanding our portfolio with our own signalling solutions, especially ETCS, is important to the Group’s success in European markets, especially in Western Europe. This sector has great potential, and we’re looking forward to developing new solutions to improve rail transport safety, efficiency and sustainability», says Didier Pfleger, CEO of Škoda Group.
The acquisition of The Signalling Company by the Škoda Group will increase its competitiveness against major European train manufacturers. The Group will be able to offer a full range of products and services to train operators in Western Europe, particularly Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Signalling Company is currently equipping 110 locomotives with ETCS for Europe’s largest private rail freight operator, Lineas. By integrating the company with 38 employees into the Group, a “Signalling” business line will be created within the Škoda Group under the leadership of one of the shareholders, Stanislas Pinte, who will be appointed Vice President for Signalling. His task will be to complete the development of existing signaling solutions and to ensure the development of new technologies in this area.
«With the entry of a large and successful partner into our company, there are further great opportunities for growth in the signalling business. Thanks to Škoda Group’s investment and the connection with such a major European rolling stock manufacturer, we will gain access to the European market». says Stanislas Pinte, Vice President Signalling at Škoda Group.
