Key risk categories and individual risks

Technology risks

The range and quality of the services we offer depends greatly on the availability and reliability of the production resources used, procured preliminary work as well as the quality of our partners’ performance. We engage in intensive quality dialogues with our relevant suppliers and business partners.

In addition, the technical production resources used in rail transport must fulfill applicable norms and requirements, which may change over time. As a consequence, technical objections regarding vehicles could occur. The risk here is that individual model series or wagon categories cannot be used for operations, or may only be used on a restricted basis – for example, at lower speeds, shorter maintenance intervals, or lower wheel set loads. Furthermore, newly procured vehicles can fail to receive certification and then not be delivered as agreed with the manufacturer. These occurrences could lead to disturbances in operational processes as well as higher expenses.

It cannot be ruled out that the intervals between maintenance/ultrasound inspections will be further shortened in the future. Due to this, additional operational restrictions could occur if the size of the vehicle fleet remains unchanged.

Furthermore, possible changes in norms and the rail infrastructure are important elements of overall operating conditions. Here again, operations can be restricted or even cancelled in the event of deviations from the norm. In order to counter these risks we have consolidated the respective activities in DB Group and engage in an active dialogue with the responsible authorities.

Last modified: 27.06.2011