Railway supply groups pledge future collaboration

Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
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This year at Innotrans, the annual railroad trade fair held in Berlin each year, U.S., Canadian, and European rail supply groups pledged to collaborate more effectively from this point forward.

The organizations are, from the U.S., the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), from Europe, the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE), and, from Canada, the Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers (CARS). The text of the agreement is presented below:

This agreement entered into force on Sept. 20, 2022, between CARS, RSI and UNIFE,
representing the rail supply industry in Canada, the U.S. and the European Union,
respectively. This memorandum of understanding is intended to enhance our ability to support
the health and future growth of our industry while identifying opportunities for our organizations
to work together in advancement of those objectives.

WHEREAS, railway supply companies represent a global industry that employs hundreds of
thousands of people worldwide,

WHEREAS, railway suppliers work closely with their railroad customers to support the safe and
efficient movement of both people and goods,

WHEREAS, railway suppliers design, develop, and manufacture a wide variety of products and
technologies that help their railroad customers move people and goods more safely and
efficiently around the world every day,

WHEREAS, strong passenger rail networks support economic growth, help communities grow
responsibly, and support global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and

WHEREAS, rail is the most environmentally friendly mode by which to move goods, with
emissions three-to-five times lower than comparable movements by truck.

WHEREAS, sound policy formulation relating to freight rail – resulting in more efficient operations,
and better allocation of investments.

WHEREAS, rail supply chains have been adversely impacted by global health, war and other
geopolitical factors.

WHEREAS, recent international events have underscored the geo-strategic importance of freight
rail to world markets.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER IN:
Advancing the health of the railway supply industry while partnering with railroads and
other stakeholders worldwide to provide solutions that support the safe and efficient
movement of both people and goods

– Reducing barriers to trade while eliminating unfair government subsidies or business
practices that distort global rail supply markets
– Supporting sound policy formulation and efficient operations of freight rail
– Promoting best practices and global standards in quality and manufacturing that support
the development of new products that benefit railroad customers
– Supporting the development of technical standards, or government regulations, that
facilitate the global growth and safety of the rail supply industry
– Strengthening protections across the rail supply industry in areas like infrastructure
protection, cybersecurity, and intellectual property
– Promoting awareness of the geo-strategic importance of rail networks and freight
corridors
– Encouraging government funding or public-private partnerships that support
development of more energy efficient rail equipment and operations
– Advocating for reform of global public procurement rules to tackle unfair competition and
promote best value procurement in the joint interest of our industries
– Working in cooperation to support agile, flexible and diversified supply chains related to
materials, manufacturing and sourcing rail-related products.
– Promoting cooperation in skills for the future of the rail supply industry, in particular
taking into account the digital and green transition of our societies, and developing
actions to attract new talents, especially young people and women
Signed on this 20th day of September, 2022
—————————————
Sylvia Newell
President, CARS
————————————–

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