Škoda Group has acquired a 93.9% stake in The Signalling Company, a Belgian digital developer of onboard safety software and signalling 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 took over the Austrian operations of Molinari Rail, a technical engineering and design company. The remaining 6.1% stake of The Signalling Company remains with the company’s two executives, Stanislas Pinte and Frederic Du Jardin.
The Signalling Company designs cutting-edge, Level 4 safety software fully compatible with the current European Train Control System (ETCS) standard and is 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.
Škoda Group’s acquisition of The Signalling Company will boost its competitiveness with major European train manufacturers. The Group will be able to offer a full range of products and services to railway operators in Western Europe, especially 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 an own business line “Signalling” will be established within Škoda Group under the leadership of one of the shareholders, Stanislas Pinte, who will be appointed as Vice President for Signalling. His task will be to complete the development of the existing signalling solutions and 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.
