UK: Derby-based industry group Rail Forum has announced its fourth SME Challenge, which will focus on Freight Terminals of the Future and ‘working smarter, not harder’.
The Challenges form part of the Rail Supply Group’s Rail Sector Deal Midlands Pilots, providing opportunities for SMEs to develop solutions to real needs identified by customers in the rail freight sector.
The project is a collaboration between Tarmac, DB Cargo, Freightliner, Ermewa and GB Railfreight, and is supported by the University of Derby, Rail Freight Group and Rail Forum.
‘Some of the areas SMEs should consider are decarbonisation, automation and digitalisation’, explained Bob Hodgson, Engagement Manager at Rail Forum, when the challenge was announced on April 4. ‘The Rail Forum SME challenges have been very successful, with a number of SME’s gaining First of A Kind funding to bring their products to market.’
The challenge will be formally launched on April 20, with an online event to provide further details of the scope and timeline; this will also explain how potential participants can get involved.
