SGL

What SGL does

SGL – Schienen Güter Logistik GmbH is a German rail freight logistics company operating integrated services for railway construction and infrastructure projects. Founded in 2007 (originally part of the Knape Gruppe) and headquartered in Dachau, Germany, the company became a subsidiary of Czech rail logistics group EP Logistics International a.s. (EPLI) in 2023. SGL operates from four locations — Dachau (HQ), Würzburg, Erfurt (Klettbach), and Iserlohn (opened February 2025) — and employs 51–100 staff.

The company's core offerings span three service pillars delivered as a single integrated provider: (1) Transportlogistik — rail freight using SGL's own fleet of 24 locomotives ranging from 600 PS (V60 diesel) to 5000 PS (Maxima/EuroDual), including two Siemens Vectron Dual Mode locomotives added in July 2024; (2) Baustellenlogistik — construction site logistics from planning through execution, including operating plans, path ordering, wagon procurement, and machine coordination; and (3) Sicherung — railway construction site security using conventional personnel, automated warning systems (Minimel Lynx ATWS), and fixed barricades (Safetech Fence, ME-3). A 24/7 dispatch center coordinates all transport tasks.

SGL generates revenue through project-based and contract-based professional services for enterprise customers — railway construction firms (e.g., Leonhard Weiss, Eurailpool), Deutsche Bahn and infrastructure operators. The company is regulated under several certifications (Single Safety Certificate, EVU §6 Abs.1 Nr.1 AEG, ISO 9001:2015, Präqualifikationsnachweis, Energy Management) that limit the pool of qualified competitors. Pricing is negotiated per contract; no public pricing exists. GTM is direct enterprise field sales, supplemented by industry events (transport logistic 2025), SEO/content marketing, and parent EPLI cross-referrals.

Name

SGL

Legal name

SGL – Schienen Güter Logistik GmbH

Website

https://sgl-net.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SGL – Schienen Güter Logistik GmbH is a German rail freight logistics company that provides transport, construction site logistics, and railway security services to railway construction firms and infrastructure operators, operating a 24-locomotive fleet across Germany as a subsidiary of EP Logistics International.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dachau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Transport Logistics Services: Rail freight transport services including locomotive provision, train composition, shunting, and route/path ordering. Services are provided around the clock via a 24/7 dispatch center. Revenue is generated through project-based or contract-based service fees.
2. Construction Site Logistics: Comprehensive construction logistics services spanning planning phase through execution, including operating plan coordination, path ordering, wagon procurement, track occupation planning, and machine coordination. Delivered as integrated project services.
3. Railway Safety & Security Services: Provision of trained security personnel and systems for railway construction sites, including conventional track securing, automated warning systems (ATWS), fixed barricades, and winter service. Services are staffed with trained personnel and include equipment provision.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SGL is a rail freight logistics company that transports construction machinery, vehicles, and materials by rail for railway construction and infrastructure projects across Germany, using a fleet of 24 owned locomotives. It also provides integrated construction site logistics (planning, route/path ordering, wagon procurement, machine coordination) and railway construction site security services (conventional personnel, ATWS, fixed barriers). Services are coordinated around the clock through a 24/7 dispatch center and delivered to enterprise clients including railway construction firms, infrastructure operators, and Deutsche Bahn.

Product overview

SGL is a railway freight logistics company offering integrated services from a single source. The core offering consists of three main service pillars: (1) Transportlogistik – rail transport using a fleet of 24 owned locomotives ranging from 600HP (V60) to 5000HP (Maxima), including 24/7 dispatch for route ordering, special transports, and organization of support personnel; (2) Baustellenlogistik – construction site logistics from planning through execution, coordinating locomotives, train drivers, route ordering, wagon procurement, and track occupancy management; and (3) Sicherung – security services for railway construction sites including conventional security (safety supervision, security personnel, barrier posts, monitoring), automatic warning systems (ATWS using Minimel Lynx), and fixed barriers (Safetech Fence, ME-3). SGL operates as part of EP Logistics International with locations in Dachau (headquarters), Würzburg, Erfurt, and Iserlohn.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transportlogistik (Schienentransport) Rail transport services using SGL's own locomotives to deliver construction machinery, vehicles, and materials punctually and safely to their destinations. Around-the-clock dispatch handles all transport-related tasks including route ordering, special transports (e.g. oversized loads), and organization of pilots, shunting personnel, and car inspectors. Targeted at railway construction firms and infrastructure operators.
• Baustellenlogistik (Construction Site Logistics) Construction site logistics service that begins in the calculation phase with customer support on optimizing the interaction between construction schedule and operational schedule. During execution, SGL logistics staff coordinate shunting locomotives including train drivers and shunting attendants, create operating plans with SOG, order routes, procure wagons, create track occupancy plans, monitor and document wagon in/out, coordinate construction machinery, and handle turning drives as needed. Targeted at railway construction site operators.
• Konventionelle Baustellensicherung (Conventional Construction Site Security) Conventional securing of railway construction sites using specially trained personnel. Services include safety supervision, security personnel with/without hand switches for warning systems, barrier posts, and monitoring personnel. Personnel follow Deutsche Bahn guidelines (Framework Directive 132.0118). Targeted at Deutsche Bahn and rail infrastructure operators.
• Automatische Warnsysteme (ATWS) mit Minimel Lynx Automatic Warning Systems (ATWS) using the Minimel Lynx system from Schweizer Electronic. SGL provides complete service from planning and project management, to mounting/dismounting, technical function acceptance and control, and operation and monitoring during operation. Used to secure rail construction sites with modern, flexible, and effective technology. Targeted at Deutsche Bahn and rail infrastructure operators.
• Feste Absperrung (FA) — Fixed Barrier Systems Fixed barrier systems using DB-approved systems including Safetech Fence (Saferail BV/RSC) and ME-3 (WSO GmbH). These systems are used to enhance safety during work in track areas and have been approved by DB Eisenbahninfrastrukturunternehmen. Targeted at Deutsche Bahn and rail infrastructure operators.
• Bahnübergangs- & Baustellensicherung Erfurt (Railway Crossing & Construction Site Security, Erfurt) Since 2011, the Erfurt branch has planned, dispatched and organized security and construction-affine services with high quality standards. Services include security supervision and personnel, fixed barriers, ATWS, railway crossing and crossing assistant posts, railway grounding authorized personnel, switching applicants, construction assistants, snow removal and security personnel for winter service. Targeted at Deutsche Bahn and rail infrastructure operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60–75% less CO₂ per diesel locomotive compared to truck transport
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• EP Logistics International (EPLI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2023, SGL became part of EP Logistics International (EPLI), a Czech rail logistics company headquartered in Prague. This integration expanded SGL's service portfolio, provided access to international resources, and enabled stronger positioning in cross-border rail operations between Germany and the Czech Republic. SGL strengthens EP Logistics International's construction logistics activities in the German market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DB Cargo: Deutsche Bahn's freight division and dominant German rail operator with the largest locomotive fleet. Anchor buyer ecosystem for SGL and direct competitor on construction and project logistics tenders.
• Captrain Deutschland: German arm of a major European rail freight group offering full network coverage, industrial logistics, and project cargo. A larger incumbent competitor on enterprise freight and construction tenders where SGL also bids.

Direct peers

• ERS Railways: European rail freight operator active in Germany and Benelux, providing intermodal and conventional freight solutions. Comparable as a privately held mid-size EVU operating own traction across multiple corridors.
• Lokomotion: Joint-venture German-Italian rail freight operator providing cross-border and domestic train services with own locomotive fleet. Directly competes with SGL on German freight and infrastructure haulage.
• Northrail: German private rail operator offering freight haulage, locomotive leasing, and crew management. Comparable in being a small-to-mid independent EVU with own assets competing in construction and freight tenders.
• ITL Eisenbahngesellschaft: Independent German private rail freight and infrastructure services operator with own equipment and dispatch capabilities. Overlaps with SGL on rail construction logistics and shunting services for German network projects.
• Havelländische Eisenbahn (HVLE): Private German rail freight operator with own locomotive fleet, similar size class to SGL. Directly comparable as a non-DB independent operator providing freight and construction-related rail services in Germany.

Emerging players

• MRCE Mitsui Rail Capital Europe: European locomotive leasing company with multi-customer fleet in Germany and neighboring markets. Comparable as a source of competing traction solutions for construction-project logistics customers.
• Akiem: European locomotive leasing and rail services provider supplying traction to operators across Germany. Tangentially comparable through its fleet-position in the same construction and freight segments SGL serves.

Others

• Schweerbau GmbH & Co. KG: Specialist German railway construction firm executing track renewal and infrastructure works. Comparable as a direct customer-facing player in railway construction projects where SGL provides the logistics/security layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SGL