Rail Forum Midlands (RFM) is delighted to launch their third SME Challenge as part of the Rail Supply Group’s Rail Sector Deal Midlands Pilots. The SME Challenges are designed to provide opportunities for SMEs to work collaboratively to develop and offer solutions to real needs identified by different clients across the industry.
This third challenge will focus on Depot Digitalisation and Sustainability for DB Cargo who have major depots in Crewe, Stoke and Toton. The challenge will be formally launched at an online event on 19 July. All SMEs are welcome to join, and places can be booked here.
Bob Hodgson, Engagement Manager at RFM said; “We are really pleased to be working with DB Cargo to bring this third challenge opportunity to the SME community. Some of the areas SMEs could consider and that we will discuss at the launch event are digitally monitoring vehicle movements and work-flow within the depot, depot emissions monitoring, asset mapping, intelligent lighting and heating and increased automation”.
The new challenge comes hot on the heels of last week’s announcement of the winners of the recent First of a Kind (FOAK) InnovateUK funding round. This included four ideas originally submitted as part of the previous SME challenge, Opportunities to Decarbonise Freight, organised by the Rail Forum.
Elaine Clark, CEO of RFM said; “ This success demonstrates that the Challenges are providing real opportunities for SMEs to work collaboratively with clients to take their ideas from concepts through to the next stages of development and we look forward to watching them come to life.”
For more information on the Challenges contact robert@midlandsrail.co.uk
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For further information:
Elaine Clark – CEO
elaineclark@midlandsrail.co.uk
About Rail Forum Midlands
Rail Forum Midlands (RFM) is a national industry body with strong regional connections including supporting the nationally and internationally important rail supply chain cluster across the Midlands; RFM has 280 members providing products and services across all aspects of the industry. RFM actively supports the national rail agenda and strategy, encouraging collaboration, promoting members’ capabilities, leading a number of regional skills initiatives and supporting innovation and export priorities. RFM is owned and governed by its members with a Board
