Burning for Logistics

With Bettina Castillo, RCG has had a strong, empathetic and experienced manager on its Executive Board since the beginning of the year. Logistics has always been her passion - even at the age of five, she predicted to her mother: "I'm going to do that thing with the lorries and trains one day." She was referring to logistics. And she has consistently pursued this plan. Today, she holds an PhD in business administration and knows the industry like no other, and from all possible perspectives.

Her expertise is characterised by more than 15 years of management experience in logistics. Most recently, she was responsible for Global Operations at IKEA. From there, she also gained a strong customer focus. Prior to that, she worked for SBB Cargo and SBB Cargo International. She started her professional career in science, research and consulting at the University of St. Gallen and at the Kühne Institute for Logistics Management.

Next stop - RCG

Since January, Bettina Castillo has been strengthening the RCG's Executive Board team with her broad knowledge and experience. She explains that it is the complexity of international rail freight transport, its importance for society and the supply chain that attracts her to the job: "I simply believe in the railway and in rail freight transport." Although there are often challenges due to customer requirements compared to systems with a strong national focus, these also present great opportunities. And literally nothing can throw her off track so quickly: "I often get feedback that I am very resilient. No matter how big the storm, I keep my cool. I think the team senses that too. And that is certainly a success factor."

Focus on customers

In her professional practice, customer focus has always been the be-all and end-all: "Our job is to think about customer requirements right from the production concept and offer quick and uncomplicated solutions, both nationally and internationally. In the event of problems, we need a customer contact person in the sense of a 'one-stop shop'. The customer must always be the focus." Safety, employee orientation and process quality also play a role: "All of these are interlinked. At the end of the day, it's the customers who judge whether the quality is good."

Employees as the key to success

At RCG, almost 5,900 employees in 18 countries make it possible for around 1,230 trains to reach their destination safely every day. "As a manager, you have to inspire, set the path and the vision. But you also have to hand over responsibility to the team and be able to put yourself in their hands." It's like a climbing group with whom you want to reach the summit together: "You explain where you want to go, but you also have to actively listen to the employees, who bring the knowledge with them." And on the way to the summit, you should never lose your curiosity. "If I had a time machine, I would definitely travel to the future." And that's where she also wants to lead #TeamRCG: "I've been able to get to know a lot of committed and passionate colleagues here and I'm looking forward to taking rail freight transport into the future together with this team."

More information:
Bettina Castillo
Management of RCG