Furrer + Frey Deutschland Gmbh

What Furrer + Frey Deutschland Gmbh does

Furrer+Frey Deutschland GmbH is a Berlin-based specialist contractor founded in 2016 as the German subsidiary of Swiss parent Furrer+Frey AG. The company plans, builds, modernizes, and maintains overhead contact line systems (Fahrleitungsanlagen) and ceiling conductor rail systems (Deckenstromschiene / DSS) for railway electrification across long-distance, regional, and urban rail networks. Its flagship product is the patented DSS, developed in 1987 by the parent group and approved by Deutsche Bahn AG for speeds up to 250 km/h, deployed worldwide in depots, workshops, tunnels, and bridges where conventional catenary systems face technical constraints. The portfolio is rounded out by FL200/FL260 overhead line construction systems, the VOLTTAP fast-charging station for battery trains, ELFF proprietary planning software, 3D laser scanning, the EL Signal (EL6) LED signalling system, Fahrdrahtverstärkung contact wire reinforcement, and an in-house fleet of specialized two-way assembly vehicles (STS16, STS18, STK23, RR14 EVO 2, Skyrailer 400RR).

The company operates from three German offices — Berlin (headquarters), Halle (planning), and Essen (local transport) — employing over 100 staff in Germany and drawing on the global Furrer+Frey group's roughly 300 employees. Revenue is generated through four streams: engineering and planning services performed in HOAI phases 1-7; construction and assembly of new and modernized catenary systems turnkey; supply of certified proprietary overhead line components; and preventive maintenance and inspection services including thermography and contact-wire measurements. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales, with projects won via competitive tendering against infrastructure owners such as DB Netz AG, DB InfraGO AG, DB Fernverkehr AG, BVG, Rheinbahn, moBiel, Spitzke SE, Hamburg Port Authority, and Hessische Landesbahn. The company also holds Prüfsachverständigentätigkeit authorization from the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt, allowing it to perform formal expert inspections on railway power systems.

Strategically, Furrer+Frey Deutschland positions itself as a full-service "Komplettanbieter" covering planning through commissioning under one roof, anchoring its differentiation on the proprietary DSS technology, DB AG approval, an owned specialized vehicle fleet, and a structured workforce-development program (AOLA) addressing the chronic shortage of certified overhead line assemblers. Recent activity in 2024-2026 — including new product launches (STK23, EL Signal, 3D laser scanning), a first international engineering project via DB E&C International in Israel, and participation in DB InfraGO's standards development — points to gradual expansion of both product surface and geographic reach, while customer concentration remains heavily skewed toward the Deutsche Bahn group.

Name

Furrer + Frey Deutschland Gmbh

Legal name

Furrer+Frey Deutschland GmbH

Website

https://furrerfrey.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Furrer+Frey Deutschland GmbH plans, builds, and maintains overhead contact line systems and patented ceiling conductor rail systems (DSS) for railway electrification, serving Deutsche Bahn, public transport operators, and rail construction firms across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rail Electrification Infrastructure

NAICS

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130)

SIC

Railroad Equipment (3743)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Electrification Systems Construction (OCS/OHL, Third Rail) (IMAFAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rail Electrification & Traction Power Infrastructure (OHL/Third Rail, Substations) (TLAJADAC), Engineering design services (line design, substation design, civil/structural) (EUADAKAG)

Keywords

• Railway electrification systems
• Overhead catenary construction
• Ceiling conductor rail
• Rail infrastructure services
• Catenary system engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering & Planning Services: Planning of overhead lines in long-distance and local transport as well as ceiling conductor rails in performance phases 1-7 according to HOAI (German fee structure for architects and engineers). Includes consulting, expert inspections, and training services.
2. Construction & Assembly Services: New construction and modernization of overhead catenary systems including mounting, assembly, and commissioning from initial planning support to turnkey project handover.
3. Component Supply: Supply of certified overhead line components including DSS systems, FL200/FL260 overhead line types, and related electrical equipment delivered timely for project completion.
4. Maintenance & Inspection Services: Preventive maintenance ensuring longer service life and higher availability. Includes thermography, measurements, height/side position measurements, and inspection services according to Deutsche Bahn maintenance regulations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Furrer+Frey Deutschland GmbH plans, builds, and maintains overhead contact line (Fahrleitungsanlagen) and ceiling conductor rail (Deckenstromschiene/DSS) systems for railway electrification in Germany. The company delivers end-to-end services from initial engineering planning (HOAI phases 1-7) through construction and assembly to ongoing maintenance and inspection, leveraging the patented DSS technology developed by its Swiss parent Furrer+Frey AG.

Product overview

Furrer+Frey Deutschland GmbH is a full-service provider for overhead line systems and ceiling conductor rails. The core product is the patented Deckenstromschiene DSS (CR4) ceiling conductor rail system, complemented by Oberleitungsbau FL200/FL260 overhead line construction. Key add-on modules include the VOLTTAP train charging station for battery trains, EL Signal (EL6) LED signals, ELFF planning software, and Fahrdrahtverstärkung contact wire reinforcement. The company offers comprehensive services including planning, assembly, delivery, technology (specialized machinery), maintenance, and consulting. The product portfolio spans from initial planning (HOAI phases 1-7) through to turnkey project handover, serving both long-distance and local/urban transport railways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Deckenstromschiene DSS: Patentierte Deckenstromschiene (DSS) - a ceiling current rail system for railway electrification, developed by Furrer+Frey AG in 1987
• FL200 / FL260
• VOLTTAP
• EL Signal
• ELFF

Products and services

• Deckenstromschiene DSS (CR4) Patented ceiling conductor rail system approved by DB AG for speeds up to 250 km/h. Available in fixed, rotatable, folding, pivoting, and liftable variants for use in depots, workshops, tunnels, and bridges.
• Oberleitungsbau FL200/FL260 Overhead line construction systems FL200 and FL260 for railway electrification projects.
• VOLTTAP Zugladestation Fast charging station for battery-powered trains, enabling electric charging of trains at depot facilities.
• Planung (Engineering Planning Services) Engineering planning of overhead lines in long-distance and local transport, and ceiling conductor rails in performance phases 1-7 according to HOAI (German fee structure for architects and engineers).
• Montage (Assembly and Construction Services) New construction and modernization of overhead catenary systems, including mounting, assembly, and commissioning from planning support to turnkey project handover.
• Lieferung (Component Delivery Services) Supply of certified overhead line components including DSS systems, FL200/FL260 overhead line types, and related electrical equipment delivered timely for project completion.
• Wartung (Maintenance and Inspection Services) Preventive maintenance ensuring longer service life and higher availability. Includes thermography, measurements, height/side position measurements, and inspection services according to Deutsche Bahn maintenance regulations.
• Consulting (Expert Inspection and Advisory) Expert inspection and condition/damage assessment of existing overhead line systems, development of new technologies, complemented by consultations and training, including Prüfsachverständigentätigkeit in the German Railway Authority (EBA) administration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approved by DB AG for speeds up to 250 km/h
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• DB InfraGO AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive collaboration in developing standards, regulations, and technical innovations for rail infrastructure. Participation in committees for the development of technical standards and regulations including work on catenary systems and overhead line technologies.
• DB Netz AGmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor customer for overhead line construction and planning projects. Projects include Rückstetten crossover station, Berlin Ostbahnhof modernization, and various infrastructure upgrades.
• Neuero Technology GmbHmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for ICE workshop DSS equipment installations including Hamburg Langenfelde project. Neuero acts as project lead with Furrer+Frey providing specialized DSS expertise.
• Neuero Railtec GmbHmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for DSS planning and equipment at ICE workshops. Projects include Hannover workshop DSS installation on behalf of DB Fernverkehr.
• Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for Berlin tram electrification projects including Adlershof new line and Treskowallee overhead line renewal.
• Furrer+Frey AG (Switzerland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and global headquarters. Furrer+Frey AG developed the patented DSS technology in 1987. German subsidiary is part of international team with 300 employees globally. Swiss-made products form the basis of the company's technical expertise.
• Spitzke SEmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMajor rail construction partner for infrastructure projects including Riedbahn general renovation. Furrer+Frey provides specialized overhead line assembly services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi Rail: Global rail systems provider offering electrification, signaling, and rolling stock with established OHL and catenary capability through its European operations. Competes with FFD on larger rail electrification tenders but with broader portfolio.
• Alstom: Global rail OEM and services provider offering overhead contact line systems, catenary design, and full rail electrification EPC through its Signalling & Infrastructure portfolio. Directly comparable to FFD on catenary and OHL scope, but operates at vastly larger scale with broader rolling stock and signaling exposure.
• Siemens Mobility: Division of Siemens providing rail electrification, OCS/OHL systems, and rail infrastructure services including planning software. Comparable catenary offering to FFD but with a much wider portfolio covering trains, signaling, and digital services.

Direct peers

• Leonhard Weiss: German construction group with a dedicated rail infrastructure division executing overhead line construction, catenary works, and track construction. Direct domestic peer to FFD competing on the same DB and municipal transport tenders in Germany.
• Balfour Beatty Rail: International rail infrastructure contractor delivering overhead line electrification, catenary installation, and rail systems as a tier-one EPC contractor. Directly competes with FFD on mainline and urban rail OHL projects, particularly in Germany and adjacent European markets.
• Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group: European rail construction and services group active in overhead line construction, catenary renewal, and trackworks. Comparable specialist contractor profile to FFD with similar project-based revenue model across DACH region.
• Swietelsky: Austrian construction group with significant rail infrastructure operations including overhead line and catenary construction across DACH. Comparable scale and service mix to FFD with overlapping geographic and customer footprint.
• Strukton Rail: Dutch-headquartered rail infrastructure specialist providing overhead line installation, catenary systems, and rail electrification services across Europe. Closely comparable in business model and OHL specialization to FFD's German subsidiary.
• Heitkamp Rail: German rail infrastructure contractor specializing in overhead line construction, catenary systems, and rail electrification services. Closely comparable German-headquartered competitor to FFD on catenary and OHL projects.

Others

• Plasser & Theurer: Austrian manufacturer of track maintenance machinery and overhead line installation/inspection vehicles. Complementary supplier rather than direct competitor, but its machines serve the same rail electrification maintenance market where FFD operates its fleet.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/furrer-frey-deutschland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 →

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