we receive e we publish the following Press release.
Franchetti SpA (Ticker BIT: FCH), a multinational company specializing in advanced diagnostics, digitalization and predictive maintenance solutions for infrastructure, announces that its railway division in Brazil has completed the start-up phase and is now fully operational, with five contracts acquired at companies belonging to four of the country's major railway groups, active in the transport of goods and passengers and operating overall on more than 23.000 kilometers of network.
Three of the five contracts are multi-year framework agreements, activated through subsequent service orders, while two projects have already been completed and approved within the contractual terms. Taken together, the new orders have a value more than 1 million euros and represent the first operational base of the Brazilian railway division, which can now develop further activities within the framework of the relationships already established with the main operators in the sector.
The division operates through specialized engineering services integrated with the proprietary technologies of the Group, supporting the survey, inspection and design activities of railway infrastructures. The activities use LiDAR, laser scanners and drones, in addition to proprietary platforms StrucInspect, for machine vision-assisted structural inspection, and SideCheck e Argan, for predictive maintenance and the digital twin. The design is also developed using a methodology BIM, allowing the data collected during the activities to be organised and used also in the subsequent management and maintenance phases of the work.
Among the results already achieved, the project carried out for OK, one of the world's largest mining groups and a leading global iron ore producer. The Group's engineering projects have increased the capacity of four railway projects. from 27,5 to 32,0 tons per axle, with an increase greater than 16 %, without intervening on the foundations and maintaining the line in operationThe result represents a concrete example of the Group's ability to intervene on existing railway infrastructure, increasing its performance through specialized engineering solutions, without interrupting operations.
They are then currently running three contracts, one with the country's largest freight rail operator and two with railway concessionaires belonging to one of Brazil's main private rail mobility platforms.
The entry into four major railway groups comes at a particularly favorable stage for the sector. Brazil has approximately 30.000 kilometers of railway network federal granted and the new railway authorisation regime has already led to the provision of approximately 12.000 kilometers of new railways, for private investments in the order of R$ 241 billionAdded to this scenario are the renewal of existing concessions and the new planning cycle outlined in the National Logistics Plan (NLP) 2050, recently presented by the Brazilian government, which defines a long-term vision for the development of the national transport network.
Paolo Franchetti, President and CEO of the Franchetti Group, commented: "The full operation of the Brazilian railway division represents an important step in Franchetti's international growth. We have successfully entered four major railway groups in the country at a time when the Brazilian market is preparing for a new and significant investment cycle, with network expansion, concession renewals, and major infrastructure development programs. The value of the first orders, exceeding €1 million, demonstrates that we are already fully operational. The most strategically significant aspect of this achievement, however, lies above all in the quality of the position we have built, with five contracts and three multi-year framework agreements. Brazil represents a market of great interest for the Group, and today we can address its opportunities by combining ECR's expertise, the historic presence of Franchetti & Merola Engenharia Ltda, and the Group's proprietary technologies. It is on this integration that we intend to continue building our growth in the country.".
Alexandre Dittert, General Manager of Franchetti & Merola Engenharia Ltda and CEO of ECR, he has declared: "The results achieved in Brazil stem from our ability to integrate the engineering expertise of our local facilities with the Group's proprietary technologies. Our goal is not to limit ourselves to a single inspection or project, but to support operators in understanding and managing their infrastructure over time. Through our platforms, the data collected during operations becomes an asset's information asset and can be used to support subsequent management, maintenance, and intervention planning decisions. The qualifications already obtained with major railway operators and the three multi-year framework agreements represent a solid foundation for further developing relationships with these clients and progressively expanding the services offered. Today, we have established a presence with four major railway groups in the country and can offer these operators a model that combines local technical responsibility, engineering, and proprietary technology.".
