2021 was a very busy and productive year, as GATX Rail Europe’s ‘engines’ operated on all cylinders, while successfully adapting to yet another cycle of unprecedented global challenges.

“As our teams adjusted to current circumstances and embraced a set of improvements and partnerships, we wrap-up 2021 with a high customer-service satisfaction rate, where you, our client majority has highly recommended us for the future. We thank you for your continued trust in our services,” said Johann Feindert, CEO of GATX Rail Europe. Mr. Feindert added, “We have taken the time to get ready for the future by setting the course for GATX Rail Europe to become an even more efficient and innovative organization to deliver even better customer service.” “With the arrival of our new Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Götz Nink, and Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Jörg Nowaczyk, we have a strong and complete management team to deliver on our promises,” said Mr. Feindert.

We know that the successes of our present will become the building blocks of a fruitful new year. Our company continued to invest in a more diversified fleet. Altogether we added approximately 1,500 new railcars to satisfy our customers’ fast-approaching 2022 demands. Our fleet continues to grow and diversify, consisting of everything from standard and specialized tank cars for chemical and gas transport to a wide-variety of freight and intermodal cars and, through Trifleet, tank containers. We have large deliveries coming in 2022 from 82m³ to 119m³ gas tank cars, to timber and steel coil railcars to 60’, 80’, 90’ intermodal cars and T3000e pocket cars.

In terms of efficiency developments, we made big strides forward on our path toward digitalization. Our experts reached an important milestone by attaining a 75% digitalization rate of our workshop revision workflows. We expect to reach full-digital operations in our network in 2022. Of course, we supported on multiple fronts regarding the landmark European Digital Automated Coupling (DAC) initiative. After rigorous testing, the Programme’s Board announced the Scharfenberg Coupling DAC design as the winner. DAC means progress for several reasons: it enables an efficient, competitive and transparent rail freight transport in Europe, while meeting the transport sector‘s environmental goals. We remain very engaged and will continue to support this initiative throughout Europe next year.

“To deliver to our customers, any company requires a healthy core. We are fortunate at GATX Rail Europe to have this healthy core: the finest, most knowledgeable, and loyal team. We recognize that our success is driven by our great employees, who are the heart of our company,” said Johann Feindert. This is why GATX Rail Europe also focused inward, by introducing a talent management program and the “We care, You Care” initiative (More than twelve of our European teams with almost all employees volunteered for this initiative to foster a cleaner environment, a healthier society, and better self-care.).

Our various efforts were recently recognized by EcoVadis. GATX Rail Europe was awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal, fulfilling the world’s largest rating platform‘s assessment requirements on Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable procurement.

In 2021, we focused on service quality, telematics, and building partnerships across all stakeholder groups. Our Customer Satisfaction Survey conducted earlier this year resulted in a very high grade for services and we garnered valuable feedback for future customer service improvement projects. We launched internal projects to revamp and speed up our customer quotation process, improve training material and activities so our customers have the tools too effectively and safely operate railcars, tested new sensors and add-on technologies, and much more. You can expect interesting bundle services soon.

“I would also like to take the time to wish all of our readers a joyful and peaceful Christmas season. We are thankful for all our partnerships that have newly blossomed or continue to grow, including those with our valued customers. We hope to meet you all again in person next year,” concluded Mr. Feindert.

Already hard at work, our offices and teams are busy with the hum of preparations for 2022. With great enthusiasm, we look ahead to a new year of innovation and upgraded services, making railcar leasing easier for you!