A total of 7,000 visitors walked along the aisles of Lille Grand Palais during this 13th edition of SIFER, from 28 to 30 March. The event hosted 378 exhibitors, of whom 24 per cent were new participants, coming from 20 countries, accounting for 22 per cent of international companies. With the support of partners and exhibitors, 43 sessions and 20 associated events (conferences, round tables, workshops, presentations) were organised.
This record attendance underlines the dynamism of the sector, which is revolving around a major topic: innovation, in response to competitivity and climate issues. The French railway industry is indeed launched at full speed!
SIFER – The one event reuniting the industry
For 20 years, SIFER has acted as an emulator on behalf of the actors of the sector by offering an ideal platform to debate and discuss the future of the sector: “SIFER is the most attractive exhibition in which we participate because its size allows quality interactions and we appreciate the diversity of the visitors we meet: customers, partners, prospects” – Stéphane Celle, Sferis Sales Manager.
It is therefore no coincidence that the FIF (French Railway Industries Association) decided to launch the 2nd part of CORIFER, the Steering Committee for Research and Innovation in the Railway Sector. This CORIFER 2, meant to “accelerate industrialisation”, according to its vice-president Carole Desnot, encompasses 4 major themes: Smart Industry, Smart Train, Green Train and Inclusive Mobility. Topics that were at the heart of the discussions of the show: “without research and innovation, you die” said Louis Nègre, President of the FIF, during the Opening Ceremony. “Inflation, supply disruptions, the attractiveness of the sector…: it is necessary to fight on all these subjects” added Philippe Citroën, President of UNIFE.
The FIF Village – a brand new space at the show
This year, the presence of the French Railway Industries Association grew in power by offering a space where conferences and presentations were held on topics ranging from European rail recovery plans to decarbonisation, innovation and the attractiveness of the sector.
Among the highlights proposed: the CS2F Steering Committee, upcoming projects in the regions, or the presentation of CORIFER’s 4 roadmaps.
Innovation, a renewed ambition materialising
For the first time, SIFER welcomed innovative start-ups in a common dedicated space: the Innovation Hub. 8 companies were able to show projects with a high potential to enhance the skills competitivity in the sector. The innovative Light Rail was also put in the spotlight during a conference hosted by IRT Railenium, and at the Railway Innovation Awards Ceremony organised by i-Trans. The SNCF was rewarded for this project, which was considered by its director Jacques Berling “a jump in performance similar to that of the TGV at the time, but at the territorial level”. The Rail Open Lab round table demonstrated the ability of an Open Association to accelerate innovation. AIF addressed the subject of cybersecurity, a major topic in today’s rail reality.
Florent Busson, Director of travauxferroviaires.com, said: “SIFER is a great networking platform. This year is our first participation as an exhibitor, in the Innovation Hub. We came to show our project and prospect within the sector in order to make our new tool well known.”
Pierre Lecomble, Commercial Strail France, said: “SIFER allows us to meet many clients in a short amount of time, whereas normally we would have to travel all across France to meet them. We also appreciate the exhibition for the new contacts that we create. This year, the environment was the major topic with many questions about the recyclability of our products.”
Save the dates from 24 to 26 June 2025 for the 14th edition of SIFER: www.sifer-expo.com
Photo credit: 2023 Mack-Brooks Exhibitions Ltd – Part of RX, St Albans, UK
