Ferroconnect

FERROCONNECT is a new service provider in the rail industry. Meet FERROCONNECT’s founder Xavier DELANOE :

Xavier DELANOE, why did you found FERROCONNECT?
After more than 20 years working in rail sector companies, I decided to set up FERROCONNECT in
November 2019. It’s a new service provider in the rail industry, creating connections with all those
who work in rail – decision-makers, companies, manufacturers and rail sector professionals. In
addition to providing managerial, technical and operational expertise in rail infrastructure,
FERROCONNECT creates added value for project owners and companies. We can help project owners
anticipate costs and manage their schedules. We can help companies win contracts and successfully
deliver on their projects.

What are your ambitions for FERROCONNECT?
Through FERROCONNECT, I want to make a genuine contribution to the success of major rail projects
in France and around the world. FERROCONNECT is about offering new services, like bid
management, and introducing contract and organisation innovations to rail projects, as well as using
modern digital tools to help better capitalise on data and offer clients assistance with their decision-
making.

Who are FERROCONNECT’s clients?
FERROCONNECT’s clients include:
Project management firms, railworks and engineering companies, and manufacturers who
are looking to maximise their chances of winning contracts and successfully delivering on
their projects.
Project owners, metro and tramway operators and railway operators, not forgetting international project owners who want to work with a reliable and independent partner, an expert in rail infrastructure and a source of innovation for making their programmes a success.
Regional councils, which as part of their mission to organise regional transport, need rail
expertise to complete and optimise their transport programmes and want to work with a
reliable, independent partner who has expert knowledge in rail infrastructure and can bring
innovations to the table.

What expertise does FERROCONNECT employ to provide consulting services for tenders and
projects?
FERROCONNECT is primarily based on my experience. I have personally been involved in preparing
major bids and managing key rail projects in France and abroad over the last 20 years. My work
experience includes preparing rail electrification bids in Spain (Madrid-Barcelona high speed train
line) and in the UK (CTRL1). I managed the electrification project for the Caracas metro system in
Venezuela for five years, turnkey completion of the track-catenary-base works elements for two high
speed train line projects in France (South Europe Atlantic line, Tours-Bordeaux section of the Paris to
Bordeaux link and Rhine-Rhône line from Dijon to Belfort). More recently, I managed the construction of the track, catenary and depot for Panama Metro Line 1 in Panama City and catenary regeneration of Paris suburban train line RERC.
FERROCONNECT also leverages the experience of experts available for deployment in accordance
with the client’s specific needs.
Link to  LinkedIn  Xavier DELANOE

What are FERROCONNECT’s values?
FERROCONNECT’s first value is CONNECTION, being a link between all stakeholders in the rail
industry: project owners, railworks and engineering companies, manufacturing firms and all rail
sector experts. Through these connections, FERROCONNECT wishes to create added value for project
owners so they can anticipate their costs and manage their timelines, and for railworks and
engineering firms to help them win contracts and successfully complete projects.
EXPERTISE is FERROCONNECT’s second value. This expertise is the result of knowledge acquired over
time in rail sector techniques and experience managing major bids and rail infrastructure projects in
France and internationally, in all their operational, organisational, financial and contractual aspects.
FERROCONNECT places this expertise at its clients’ service by leading specific missions or deploying
recognised specialists.
Lastly, FERROCONNECT’s third value is INVOLVEMENT – being available and supporting clients to
meet the objectives set together.

Why is FERROCONNECT based in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France?
FERROCONNECT is based in Nouvelle Aquitaine because this south-western region of France became
my home in 2013 when I left Panama and the Panama Metro Line 1 construction team to join the
SEA high-speed train line project (Tours-Bordeaux), making Angoulême my base and home since
then. Equipped with a high-speed train link to Paris (journey now less than 2 hours) and several
international airports, Nouvelle Aquitaine is an attractive base that combines great quality of life and
the ability to travel easily around France, to Paris and abroad. FERROCONNECT sees itself as a
company with strong roots in its region and an open outlook on the world.