InnoTrans 2026

30 years of InnoTrans: two trains to Berlin, two Swissrail stands, 50 co-exhibitors, and four days full of conversations. Once again this year, Swissrail had a strong presence with two joint pavilions in Halls 2.2 and 26, together with 50 companies. The focus was not only on products and innovations, but above all on dialogue and exchange: with customers and business partners, authorities and railway companies, international delegations, and the skilled professionals of tomorrow.

Tuesday – Kick-off and New Meeting Places

Following our joint journey to Berlin by train, the trade fair kicked off on Tuesday. From the very first day, things were buzzing: the meeting rooms were fully booked, and our popular restaurant was operating at full capacity.

Two new features made their debut in Hall 2.2 this year: the Swissrail Event Stage as a platform for presentations, discussions, and networking, as well as the new coffee corner as an informal meeting place for conversations between appointments. It did not take long for a rumour to spread: this is where you can find the best coffee at the entire trade fair. A heartfelt thank you to our coffee sponsor, Chicco d’Oro!

One of the highlights of the day was an exchange between a high-level Brazilian delegation and Team Switzerland, including representatives from SERV, on the participation of Swiss companies in major infrastructure projects. Another highlight was the visit of the Hungarian Minister of Transport.

Wednesday – Cooperation with Ukraine

Following the traditional group photo, international cooperation took centre stage on Wednesday. Swissrail and Ukrainian Railways, Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further strengthen structured exchange and cooperation between the Ukrainian and Swiss railway sectors.

UZ CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi led the Ukrainian delegation. The event was also attended by Ambassador Ivo Germann, Head of the Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate at SECO, among others. Swissrail members also presented their companies and areas of expertise.

Thursday – Dialogue Between Industry, Railways, Authorities and Diplomacy

Thursday focused on dialogue within Switzerland and with Germany. Together with Martin von Känel from the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), Alexander Muhm and Daniel Zollinger from SBB Cargo, LITRA Managing Director Michael Bützer, Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu, Swissrail President Christian Schnyder, and Managing Director Andreas Haas, the participants discussed the strengths and challenges of rail freight transport as well as cooperation between Switzerland and Germany.

Ambassador Leu also visited numerous Swiss companies at InnoTrans and gained insights into their technologies, current projects, and the international activities of the Swiss railway and mobility industry. One aspect was particularly impressive: seeing how family-owned businesses are successfully managed across several generations while achieving major success in global markets.

The next generation was also part of the programme. Together with Prof. Dr Thomas Sauter-Servaes, Head of the Mobility Science degree programme at ZHAW, students gained insights into companies, technologies, and career opportunities within the industry.

In the evening, more than 150 guests gathered for the traditional reception with the Ambassador – an opportunity to continue many of the day’s conversations and make new connections. Our highlight: the sound of alphorns echoing throughout the entire hall.

Friday – Time for the Swissrail Community

On Friday, the schedule became somewhat less packed, leaving time to specifically visit those Swissrail members who had their own stands located throughout the exhibition grounds while also being represented with their logos at the Swissrail stands.

To round off the event, the Swissrail community gathered once again at the Event Stage for the live quarterly update. Managing Director Andreas Haas provided an update on the association’s activities and drew ten winners who will be able to attend Swissrail’s new member event – where participants will cook together over an open fire!

After four days, one thing stands out above all: many familiar faces, even more new contacts, and valuable exchanges between Swiss companies and international customers, between industry and railway companies, between authorities and the diplomatic community, and with the next generation.

These are precisely the connections we are taking back with us from Berlin to Switzerland – and into our continued cooperation with partners around the world.

All photos can be viewed and downloaded from our Flickr album:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1uvN 

This article is taken from the latest edition of the express. You can read the full magazine here.

Note on the translation: this text was translated using AI and checked by us. If you find any mistakes or something that is not clear, please let us know.