Martin Sion, CEO of Alstom, has become the new president of UNIFE, the European railway industry association. He takes over from Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, at a time when European railway suppliers are calling for simpler rules and a more aggressive export strategy at the European Union level.
Martin Sion, the new CEO of Alstom, has become president of UNIFE, the association representing the European railway equipment and solutions industry.
The change was announced at the 35th UNIFE General Assembly, held in Brussels. After three years at the helm of the UNIFE board, Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, handed over the reins to Martin Sion.
The meeting focused on the growth of the European railway industry and maintaining competitiveness against global competitors.
The industry calls for simpler rules and a more aggressive export strategy
During the discussions organized in the “Discovery Café” format, dedicated to consulting UNIFE members on the competitiveness of the European railway industry, companies called for simplifying regulations, not reinventing them, as well as a more aggressive European export strategy.
UNIFE members also emphasized the need for European institutions to continue harmonizing legislation. National fragmentation continues to affect the European single market, including in the railway sector.
Enno Wiebe, UNIFE’s Director General, chaired the general assembly and spoke of a new spirit of collaboration within the railway sector and in relations with policymakers.
According to UNIFE, the political visibility of the European rail supply industry is currently strong, but ambitions must be translated into concrete actions.
The European Commission, present at the UNIFE meeting
Jozef Síkela, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, also attended the General Assembly. He discussed with industry representatives ways to strengthen the competitiveness of European companies, including through the Global Gateway initiative.
The event also featured the institutional panel “At the Crossroads of Competitiveness and Resilience.” The discussions were attended by Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General of DG MOVE at the European Commission, Oana Gherghinescu, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways, Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, and Michael Peter, the outgoing President of UNIFE.
UNIFE also announced the admission of three new full members: Magellan, from the United Kingdom, Teltronic, from Spain, and Zonegreen, part of the Sentric Safety Group, from the United Kingdom. Additionally, Polska Izba Kolei, the Polish Chamber of Railways, has become an associate member.
The next UNIFE General Assembly will take place in Rome on June 9–10, 2027.
“Rail transport is a critical part of the European strategic agenda”
Enno Wiebe, UNIFE’s Director General, thanked Michael Peter for his three-year term at the helm of the association.
“I want to thank the outgoing president, Michael Peter, for his work, passion, and valuable support over the past three years in developing the association. We are also excited about what Martin will bring to this role, particularly his ambition and fresh perspective, thanks to his successes in the aerospace industry,” said Enno Wiebe.
Martin Sion, the new president of UNIFE and CEO of Alstom, said that the rail industry must turn ambitions into concrete investments.
“I want to thank Michael Peter for leading UNIFE over the past three years, helping to transform UNIFE into a stronger and more influential voice for our industry. The focus is now on what lies ahead, as rail transport is no longer peripheral to Europe’s strategic agenda; it is a critical part of it.
Our mission is to turn ambition into concrete investments, ensuring the competitiveness of European rail supply chains and guaranteeing that rail transport is central to the policy decisions that will define the future of transport on the continent,” said Martin Sion.
Michael Peter, outgoing UNIFE President and CEO of Siemens Mobility, stated that the rail industry has moved to the center of the European agenda on competitiveness and resilience.
“Over the past three years, we have succeeded in positioning the rail industry at the center of the EU’s agenda on competitiveness and resilience. Today’s momentum is undeniable: EU policy is increasingly aligned to strengthen its industrial base, from the Industrial Accelerator Act to the upcoming review of European public procurement,” said Michael Peter.
Global Gateway and external markets
Jozef Síkela, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, highlighted the role of the rail industry in Europe’s competitiveness.
“The European rail industry is essential to our competitiveness, connectivity, and industrial future. Our exchange of views with its representatives has shown how Global Gateway can strengthen European companies while offering partner countries a reliable way to invest in sustainable mobility.
Through the Global Gateway, the EU combines high standards and strategic funding to support European companies in competing fairly and growing in fast-growing markets around the world,” said Jozef Síkela.
Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General of DG MOVE, stated that industrial competitiveness is one of the European Commission’s priorities.
“Industrial competitiveness is at the heart of our agenda. We are committed to making EU rules more flexible, faster, and more efficient, based on how they are applied in practice, so that the European rail industry can invest, expand, and innovate.
At the same time, we are determined to eliminate fragmentation within the Single European Railway Area so that harmonization can reduce costs, accelerate implementation, and strengthen Europe’s position as a global industrial leader,” said Magda Kopczyńska.
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