DB E&C’s Design Center in Bucharest celebrates ten years of engineering and cross-border collaboration. In this time, the center has contributed to various projects with a focus on innovation and sustainability. A review of a successful decade.
On June 10 DB E&C’s Design Center Romania, marked its ten-year anniversary, recognizing a decade of consistent involvement in global infrastructure projects. The event gathered employees, partners, and leaders to acknowledge the center’s contributions and review its development as an integral part of DB Engineering & Consulting’s international operations.
The event was attended by Andrea Bertallot, Chair of the Board of Managing Directors of DB E&C, Managing Director for International Markets and Consulting at DB E&C, Stefan Geisperger, alongside Marius Gafitoi, Director of the Design Center Romania. The proceedings underscored the Design Center’s sustained focus on technical competence, cooperation, and effective delivery of complex engineering projects worldwide.
Reflecting on the development of the Design Center, CEO Andrea Bertallot shared: “The Design Center in Bucharest is an integral production site for the German and the international market. The team plays a central role in the important general overhaul of the railway infrastructure in Germany. The team manages a total of more than 150 projects in the fields of transport facilities, civil engineering, structural engineering, railway technology, project management and digital engineering. This not only strengthens our ability to meet client demands but also helps us to further optimize our cooperation for example with the planning departments in Germany.”
Whit the Design Center Romania since its foundation: three colleagues recieved an award from the management (from left to right): Andrea Bertallot, Chair of Management Board of E&C, Catalin Onu, DC Romania, Head of Product Management and Project Management, Raluca Oana Tudorascu, DC Romania, Structural Engineering Design, Marius Gafitoi, Director of the Design Center Romania and Stefan Geisperger, Managing Director of International Market and Consulting at DB E&C.
A Decade of Growth and Global Impact
Since its founding in 2015, the Design Center Romania has developed into an important component of DB E&C’s international success. Initially established to support regional projects, the center has expanded from a small unit into a multidisciplinary team with capabilities in railway engineering, geotechnics, highway design, and Building Information Modeling (BIM).
The Design Center’s involvement in the Rail Baltica Project illustrates its engagement in international-scale initiatives. This initiative aims to integrate the Baltic States — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — into the European railway network by constructing a high-speed railway line that meets EU standards. The DB E&C’s team in Bucharest has contributed design and technical services for key sections including bridges and railway infrastructure, supporting alignment with European infrastructure requirements. This complex, multidisciplinary project contributes to improved regional connectivity.
In Romania, the DB E&C’s Design Center has played a central role in the Electrification and Rehabilitation of the Cluj-Napoca – Oradea – Episcopia Bihor Railway, part of the M300 Mainline. Connecting Romania to Hungary and the broader TEN-T Network and involves the modernization of over 30 kilometers of double-track railway, with new bridges, stations, and culverts, while managing complex geotechnical conditions. The DB E&C’s team in Bucharest has been involved throughout the project lifecycle, contributing to the modernization and integration of Romania’s railway infrastructure within the European network.
In Moldova, the center contributed to the rehabilitation of the 370-kilometer Vâlcineț – Bălți – Ungheni – Chișinău – Căinari Railway Corridor. This strategic corridor links various regions of Moldova to industrial zones, free trade areas and international markets. The Design Center Romania has provided design and engineering services aimed at bringing the infrastructure in line with European standards, thereby supporting Moldova’s capacity for regional trade with Romania, Ukraine, and other neighboring countries.
In Germany, the Design Center Romania has been involved in the Lehrte–Oebisfelde Railway Project, part of the Berlin–Hanover high-speed corridor. The DB E&C’s team has supported design coordination and construction planning, with particular attention to environmental mitigation measures and maintaining continuity of railway operations. The Design Center has addressed various project requirements while assisting with workload balancing across teams, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of its cross-border collaboration framework.
“Our success is based on the talent and dedication of our team,” Director Marius Gafitoi reflected on the Design Center’s journey. “Over the past decade, we have grown not only in expertise but also in our ability to support complex international projects. Our work here showcases the potential of our combined engineering excellence and the mutual benefits of cross-border collaboration. We are especially grateful for the dedication of our German colleagues, whose commitment to develop us professionally and has played a vital role in strengthening our shared capabilities.”
Building the Future of Infrastructure
The Design Center Romania’s capabilities are based on its multidisciplinary competencies and its responsiveness to evolving requirements in infrastructure projects. Covering areas such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), geotechnical engineering, as well as to railway and highway design, the center provides a broad spectrum of technical services to support the delivery of complex projects.
Its work over the past decade illustrates the operational integration of DB E&C’s international network and the alignment of its teams across regions. As the center continues its development, it maintains a focus on technical advancement, sustainable practices, and coordinated project delivery.
“The Design Center Romania is a perfect example of how our international network operates”, said Stefan Geisperger and emphasized the importance of the center’s role. “By combining local expertise with global knowledge, we can deliver solutions that truly make a difference. The past ten years have been remarkable, and I am confident that the next decade will bring even greater success.”
The Vision for the Next Decade
As the Design Center Romania marks its tenth of operation, attention turns to the anticipated opportunities and challenges associated with future infrastructure demands. With an ongoing emphasis on sustainability, digitalization, and international cooperation, the Design Center is positioned to contribute technical solutions aligned with the evolving needs of global infrastructure development.
“This milestone is not just a celebration of our achievements but also a reminder of the potential that lies ahead. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, embrace innovation, and create lasting value for our clients and communities worldwide,“ said Gafitoi.
