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  • Pan-European Rail Freight Corridors
  • Inter-Modal Logistics Change
  • Telecommunications & Renewable Power
  • Environmental Conservation & Pollution Reduction

Founded in 1994, FOCAL Limited was established to combine the advanced engineering, rail logistics and property investment skills of its principal and owner, Rod Hilditch for applications in the Pan-European Rail Logistics environment.

In advance of most of the industry, FOCAL identified the European opportunities and growing markets which could be effectively serviced by rail in the 21st century, but only if a significant number of key 'barriers' to modern logistics operations were dismantled. FOCAL remains at the forefront of addressing such 'barriers' to this day, both at the highest EU and National Government levels and at specific locations identified with global customers seeking rail logistics solutions.

Based at the Innovation Centre at The University of Coventry, at the heart of the UK, FOCAL is ideally located to benefit from significant expertise and support from the Department of Trade and Industry, Coventry University and Advantage West Midlands.

FOCAL is a private limited liability company, 100% owned and directed by Managing Director, Rod Hilditch. FOCAL currently operates throughout Europe, India and China delivering expertise, innovation and enhanced profitability to public and private sector clients on a major scale. FOCAL earns advisory fees, equity shares in projects and success related bonuses from the many varied assignments it undertakes on behalf of its clients.

FOCAL is a Member of The UK Rail Freight Group, a Member of the Incubator Stable at the European Space Agency, Noordwyk, Holland, associate members of RailNetEurope, RAFTS (Marco Polo II Incubator), CNES Incubator and a leading member of the Development Committee of 'Ferrmed', the prestigious and influential 200 member European rail lobby group.

FOCAL, uniquely perhaps, brings together very practical knowledge, experience and contacts in innovatively designing, developing and delivering rail logistics solutions to meet the growing needs of major manufacturers and global logistics operators. By harnessing the forces and influence of major customers, infra-structure managers, political enablers and major investors, FOCAL delivers capability and capacity to facilitate long-term inter-modal change, for high volume freight, from road to rail.

FOCAL maintains a high-level network of well connected and experienced associates across Europe with a view to adding early high-profile, expertise and input into complex challenges specific to many European countries.

Throughout its history, FOCAL has acted within a wide variety of roles within its core expertise. Currently, these include:

  • Retained Advisor - Major UK Utility + Global Infrastructure Lessor
  • Innovator/Solutions Creator & Deliverer - The BHT Project
  • Project Principal - Re-Generation of French Rail Termini
  • Project Leader - The 'RAFTS' North Sea Train Ferry
  • Project Manager - One North East/Network Rail Project
  • Introducer of Project Finance & Development Partners - Re-Instated Rail Yard and Rail Network Connection for Major UK Exporter