RM: Can you tell us about your journey in the railway industry? How did you get started?
Vytas Bimba, Managing Director: I got into the railway industry unexpectedly while working in an IoT company. We were exploring new markets when a potential customer mentioned the immense potential of IoT products in rail. That sparked my journey, and I’ve discovered a fascinating industry full of opportunities to innovate and grow. That's how the journey started, from that time rail industry and especially rolling stock is on my mind daily.
RM: What emerging trends or technologies are you most excited about in the rail sector?
Vytas Bimba, Managing Director: I will probably not surprise anyone by saying that DAC is one of them. It is an amazing technology that can bring many benefits to the rail industry, but it comes with it's challenges, such as cost. I’m also a firm believer in innovation in freight wagon design—it holds the key to improving interoperability, energy efficiency, and reliability. That's one of the reasons why we have chosen these important topics for the European Rolling Stock Summit (ERS Summit).
RM: How did the idea of the ERS Summit come about, and what was your vision for it?
Vytas Bimba, Managing Director: The idea for a rail freight-focused event started about 18 months ago. While catching up with friends and past customers, I noticed a pattern: wagon keepers wanted to discover new, reliable suppliers beyond the big names. That’s when it clicked—why not create a summit that focuses on rolling stock and brings together companies from all over Europe, including less-known but trusted suppliers from Central and Eastern Europe? The goal is simple: foster connections and open new opportunities for the rail industry.
RM: What are the major challenges the European rail industry faces today, and how is the summit addressing them?
Vytas Bimba, Managing Director: The European rail industry faces several pressing challenges today, including:Interoperability Issues;Meeting Sustainability Goals;Digital Transformation;Cost-Effective Maintenance;At the European Rolling Stock Summit, these challenges will be addressed through targeted sessions like “Future Regulatory Roadmap for Rolling Stock” , discussions on DAC for efficiency and sustainability, and topics exploring digitalization as well as how to overcome maintenance challenges.
RM: Can you share more about the main objectives of this year’s summit, and who the keynote speakers are?
Vytas Bimba, Managing Director: Main objectives for the summit are:
- Fostering Collaboration: Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to exchange ideas and build partnerships that drive progress in rail freight.
- Addressing Regulatory Changes: Providing insights into the evolving EU regulatory framework, helping stakeholders prepare for upcoming standards and compliance requirements.
- Driving Innovation: Highlighting cutting-edge technologies like Digital Automated Coupling (DAC), predictive maintenance, and intermodal solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability.
- Delivering Practical Insights: Offering actionable takeaways on critical topics like rolling stock maintenance, asset utilization, and cross-border operations.
- Expanding Professional Networks: Facilitating targeted networking opportunities to connect attendees with key decision-makers.
And I am also really happy with the speakers that have decided to share their knowledge on stage, as they are a crucial part of the event's success. Some of the names include:
- Akos Ersak, Chief Policy Advisor at UIRR, he will cover an important topic: Intermodal Rail Freight: Policy, Own-initiative Progress, and the Road Ahead.
- Daniel Rost, Digitalisation & Process Officer at Wascosa will speak about Integration of Digital Technologies in Rolling Stock
- Niklas Weidert, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Voith will cover a really important topic: Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC): Revolutionizing Freight Operations
RM: What key outcomes do you hope to achieve by the end of the summit?
Vytas Bimba, Managing Director: The outcome I hope to achieve is simple: to give the rail freight industry a platform to network, discuss, and collaborate. By making the first edition of the summit a success, we can create a recurring event that helps the rail freight industry reach new heights and brings people together to shape a better future for everyone.
