DB E.C.O. Group

Digitalization in Railway Operations: Learning Nugget Series Starting April 2025 We are excited to announce the launch of DB Rail Academy's Learning Nugget series on Digitalization in Railway Operations, starting in April 2025. These interactive sessions provide a platform to learn from our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting's experts and connect with industry professionals. The first session, titled "Improving Railway Safety with Data-Driven RAMS", will take place on April 15th, 2025. In this session, participants will explore how data-driven RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) improves operational safety and efficiency in the railway sector. Through practical insights and expert guidance, you will gain a deeper understanding of how digital tools are transforming safety frameworks in rail operations. Register now to secure your place. Details can be found in the pinned comment below. Expand your knowledge and engage with professionals who are shaping the future of railways. 

Expanding Partnerships for Sustainable Growth: DB E.C.O. Group at the Jordan-Germany Economic Roundtable This week, we had the privilege of participating in a high-level roundtable discussion in Berlin with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck. Our COO International Business, Stefan Geisperger, joined representatives from the German government, industry leaders, and major companies to explore opportunities for cooperation between Jordan and Germany in key sectors such as green energy, infrastructure, and technology. “Jordan’s commitment to modernization and its focus on sustainability align closely with DB E.C.O. Group’s mission to deliver innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions,” said Mr. Geisperger. “The partnership between Jordan and Germany offers tremendous potential for mutual growth, particularly in areas like green hydrogen production and regional transport corridors, where our expertise can create impactful solutions.” At DB E.C.O. Group, we believe that strong international partnerships are vital for achieving sustainable development goals. Collaborations not only drives our economic growth but also supports global climate protection efforts. Together, we can shape a sustainable future. Credits: DIHK / Jens Schicke

Deutsche Bahn, represented by the CEO of the DB E.C.O. Group, Niko Warbanoff, and Jens Gräfer, Head of International Affairs Deutsche Bahn, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ITM Power, represented by its CEO Dennis Schulz and Sebastian Weht, Strategy Manager ITM Power, to collaborate on sustainable transportation and infrastructure powered by green energy solutions such as green hydrogen. This partnership aligns with Deutsche Bahn’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2040 and reinforces our focus on decarbonization across rail, bus, and logistics operations. “As part of DB, the DB E.C.O. Group is very interested in developing new ideas and collaborations in areas such as green energy, decarbonization, and zero emissions, thereby making a contribution to the rail and infrastructure sector in Germany and around the world,” said Niko Warbanoff. The collaboration will focus on key areas such as zero-emission mobility, energy resilience, and the development of green fuel supply chains. By working together, Deutsche Bahn and ITM Power aim to create innovative solutions that accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation while supporting the broader shift to climate-friendly infrastructure across Europe. We are proud to support this project and its effects on the mobility of tomorrow. 

Recently, a delegation from DB E.C.O. Group, including our COO International Business, Stefan Geisperger, visited colleagues and partners in the United States. During stops in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr. Geisperger engaged with transit agencies, commuter rail companies, the German Embassy, and DB E.C.O. North America teams to discuss key developments and challenges in the U.S. rail market. The conversations focused on net-zero strategies, infrastructure optimization, and DB E.C.O. North America’s role in advancing sustainable mobility. These exchanges provided valuable insights into regional market dynamics and strengthened collaboration across teams, fostering innovation and deeper transatlantic partnerships. By sharing expertise, DB E.C.O. North America and our domestic teams continue to learn from one another. Lessons from the U.S. market inform progress in Germany, while German engineering and sustainability practices support success overseas. Together, we are driving forward sustainable and connected mobility solutions globally. 

Eid Mubarak from the DB E.C.O. Group As this year’s Ramadan comes to an end, we extend our heartfelt wishes to our Muslim clients, colleagues, and followers around the world. We hope this past month was a meaningful time of reflection and togetherness for you and your loved ones. May this Eid al-Fitr bring you peace, joy, and prosperity. This holiday is a time of celebration, gratitude, and togetherness — a moment to reflect on the values of compassion, generosity and unity that resonate with us all. At DB E.C.O. Group, we are proud to stand together with our diverse community, whose contributions and dedication strengthen our shared goals every day.  As we celebrate the spirit of collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect, we wish you a happy Eid al Fitr.

DB E.C.O. Days 2025 – Great Minds United On March 18th and 19th, the company-wide DB E.C.O. Days once again showcased the immense expertise and innovation within our company group. Under the motto “Great Minds United", we had the wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from each other. In numerous expert sessions, colleagues from our subsidiaries DB Engineering & Consulting, infraView GmbH , ESE Engineering und Software-Entwicklung GmbH, and DB RRTS Operations India Private Limited (an operating company of DB International Operations) presented exciting projects and current topics in the areas of Engineering, Consulting, and Operations as well as Digitalization. The online event was officially inaugurated by the Managing Board of the DB E.C.O. Group, Niko Warbanoff, Andrea Bertallot, Ulla Kopp, Jeroen Hansmann, and Stefan Geisperger, underscoring the importance and commitment towards fostering innovation and collaboration. The presentations covered a wide range of topics – from "Engineering Intelligence" to "Innovative Thinking", "Stronger as a Team", and "Strength in Action". The DB E.C.O. Days are a fantastic example of how we aim to grow both operationally and culturally by sharing ideas and learning from one another. It is impressive how much expertise we have within our corporate group to successfully advance projects for our customers. A heartfelt thank you to all colleagues who contributed to making this event such a success!  

We had the honor of participating in Movilia 2025, the key event for the future of transportation in Medellín, Colombia. From March 12 to 14, industry leaders gathered to discuss innovative solutions driving sustainable mobility in the country. Our Executive Director for Latin America, Carsten Puls, participated in the session "Railway Capacity in Colombia: Integration of Freight and Passengers," where discussions highlighted mixed traffic as a key strategic opportunity. This approach would optimize integration between modes of transportation, boost economic development, reduce environmental impact, and close social gaps through more accessible, efficient infrastructure. We are deeply committed to the revival of railway transport in Colombia. Drawing on our experience with German railways, we are eager to share knowledge and support the development of a sustainable transportation system for the country’s future. The congress provided an inspiring platform for dialogue, and we thank Metro de Medellín and Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana for inviting us. 

Our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting's Design Center Romania continues its successful partnership with the Technical University of Civil Engineering in Bucharest. Recently, our team participated in the Railway Career Day. The event featured roundtable discussions between industry experts and faculty members, focusing on market-relevant skills and industry tools. Interested students had the opportunity to connect directly with our colleagues and learn about career paths in the railway industry and urban rail transport. This collaboration builds upon our ongoing commitment to nurturing engineering talent. Last year, experts from our Rail & Road Infrastructure and Civil Engineering teams shared their expertise, presenting various projects of the Design Center. As sponsors of the university’s CADRE Competition of Wooden Bridge and Truss Models, we actively support the students' innovative projects. Our Design Center in Romania is integral to our global operations. It provides vital engineering services for projects in infrastructure design, structural engineering and railway systems across Germany and worldwide. Through initiatives like these, we aim to inspire future engineers to join us in shaping tomorrow's mobility and infrastructure landscape. 

To mark International Women’s Day, we proudly hosted DB E.C.O. Women’s Week from March 4–6, featuring three events highlighting our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We believe that achieving gender equality is a shared task. That’s why during this year’s Women’s Week we put the focus on allyship and what men can do to advance equality. The week began with a keynote by Dr. Christian Berg, CEO of the AllBright Foundation, titled “When the Boss Is Always Named Thomas – Why Diversity in Management Is So Rare.” Dr. Berg discussed the lack of representation in leadership and ways to foster inclusive leadership cultures.   On Wednesday, Philip Eussen, Executive Director Southern and Southeastern Germany at DB E&C, enphasized the importance of women in management and how men can challenge stereotypes to drive change.   We concluded with an International Speed Networking event, celebrating the achievements of our female colleagues while fostering global connections. At DB E.C.O. Group, we believe diversity drives success. Together, through solidarity and allyship, we can create a more inclusive future. Here’s to a meaningful International Women’s Day on March 8! #HeForShe Credits: hendayani

Recently, we had the privilege of participating in the 4th BIM Meeting: BIM Implementation in Infrastructure Projects in Bogotá, Colombia. The event, organized by the BIM Academic Forum Colombia, brought together industry stakeholders, public partners and scientific institutions to share knowledge and insights into the transformative role of BIM in infrastructure development. One of our senior BIM consultants, Jeniffer Hamon from our subsidiary DB Engineering & Consulting, had the honor of presenting. As a practical example of BIM implementation benefits, she shared insights from our pilot project in Colombia’s first metro system under the title “Application of Digital Twins in Railway Systems”. Over a six-month period, we implemented digital twins to optimize maintenance processes. By integrating real-time data, creating a BIM model, and synchronizing it with SAP, we enabled predictive maintenance strategies. This approach led to reduced downtimes, cut costs, and extended infrastructure lifespans, demonstrating how digital twins can revolutionize rail system operations. We are proud to contribute to the advancement of BIM and digital solutions, which foster efficiency and innovation in infrastructure projects. A heartfelt thank you to the BIM Academic Forum Colombia for organizing this inspiring event!