Freight transport with SBB Cargo will once again be a wholly owned subsidiary of SBB. Minority shareholder Swiss Combi is selling its 35% stake to SBB and will become a strategic partner. Alexander Muhm, currently head of SBB Real Estate, will become the new member of the Group Executive Board responsible for freight transport.
This simplifies SBB's management structure and prepares it for potential government funding for single wagonload freight transport. Alexander Muhm has been a member of the Executive Board since 2019. As Head of SBB Real Estate, he played a key role in shaping the "Suisse Cargo Logistics" concept. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Hupac AG. Alexander Muhm will assume his new role on June 26.
Photos: SBB.
As the new Head of Freight Transport, he is also CEO of SBB Cargo, succeeding Désirée Baer, who has led the company since 2020. Désirée Baer played a key role in the further development of SBB Cargo and consistently aligned the organization with customer focus and customer solutions. Due to changing circumstances, she decided to leave the company and pursue a new professional challenge.
In addition to his role as CEO of SBB Cargo, Muhm is also responsible for all of SBB's freight transport subsidiaries, including the newly founded SBB Intermodal (see box). This SBB subsidiary is tasked with planning and building a comprehensive terminal infrastructure throughout Switzerland.
With this move, SBB is further developing its "Suisse Cargo Logistics" concept, which it first presented in autumn 2022. Under the motto "More freight, more rail," SBB aims to transport 60% more goods in its core freight business within Switzerland by 2050. "Suisse Cargo Logistics" envisions expanding the transshipment network with five terminals for combined transport between Geneva and St. Gallen.
Désirée Baer has made outstanding contributions through her many years of service at SBB, including her time as CEO of Securitrans Public Security AG and previously as a member of the SBB Infrastructure Executive Board. Thanks are also due to the outgoing Head of Freight Transport, Nicolas Perrin, for his dedication.
www.sbb.ch
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SBB Rail Freight:
The SBB's freight subsidiaries:
SBB Cargo AG: Handles one-seventh of Swiss freight traffic with wagonload, block train, and combined transport, transporting 180,000 tons daily for its customers, thus reducing road traffic by 15,000 truck journeys per day and saving 490,000 tons of CO2 annually.
SBB Cargo International: Market leader on the north-south axis through the Swiss Alps, connecting the North Sea ports with Italy's key economic hubs via block trains, seamlessly from loading to unloading point, or from terminal to terminal. Shareholders are SBB AG with 75% and Hupac AG with 25%.
SBB Intermodal AG: The newly founded Intermodal AG will act as the developer, driving the expansion of terminal infrastructure in Switzerland, as outlined in the "Suisse Cargo Logistics" concept.
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Swiss Combi and SBB Cargo
Swiss
SBB and Swiss Combi AG, a minority shareholder in SBB Cargo AG, have redefined their partnership in light of the changed market conditions and potential government subsidies for wagonload traffic.
Combi is selling its stake to SBB. The parties have agreed to keep the price confidential. The new environment necessitates a clear separation of shareholder and customer roles. Close cooperation will continue within the framework of a strategic partnership.
Three years ago, Swiss Combi AG – comprised of the logistics service providers Planzer Holding AG (40%), Camion Transport AG (40%), Bertschi AG (10%), and Galliker Holding AG (10%) – acquired 35% of the shares in SBB Cargo AG. The minority shareholders contributed valuable expertise in the transport and logistics sector to SBB Cargo AG, a leading company in Swiss rail freight.
However has since become clear that wagonload traffic, in its current form, cannot be operated profitably and therefore does not meet the federal government's requirements for self-sufficiency. However, it makes a significant contribution to security of supply and a functioning economy and society, and contributes to modal shift and climate goals. The Federal Council has submitted proposals on how to sustainably strengthen rail freight transport across the country, and in particular single wagonload traffic. The Federal Parliament will decide on these proposals.
SBB Cargo and Swiss Combi believe in a tailoredoffering in wagonload traffic and intend to continue actively supporting the modal shift policy. Thanks to continued close cooperation, direct access to the needs of the logistics sector is ensured for the freight railway, and the transport companies continue to promote the further development of SBB Cargo's wagonload services.
SBB Cargo is open to further strategic partnerships with other customers. The restructuring still requires approval from the competition authorities.
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