Škoda has acquired a 93.9% stake in the Signalling Company, a Belgian digital developer of onboard safety software and signalling systems for railway operators

Škoda 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 strategy to expand into modern mobility systems. Earlier this year the 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 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 .

Škoda acquisition of The Signalling Company will boost its competitiveness with major European train manufacturers.  The skoda 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 skoda an own business line “Signalling” will be established within Škoda 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 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 .

What is signalling?

Signalling or railway signalling is a system used to control the movement of railway traffic and improve rail safety. The large mass and associated inertia of trains makes it difficult to stop the vehicle quickly if necessary. Most forms of train control involve transferring the responsibility for movement from individual rail network sections (e.g., the rail signaller or stationmaster) to the train crew. The current European safety regulations are pursuing the ETCS signalling standard to replace around 20 different national train safety systems. The aim is to achieve full interoperability in rail transport.