As we’ve shared recently, 20 years ago, the companies KVG in Vienna, KVG in Hamburg, and DEC in Warsaw combined to become GATX Rail Europe. On June 13, colleagues from across Europe gathered in Vienna to celebrate that milestone together. While the anniversary marks two decades of growth, innovation, and nearly 40,000 railcars in operation, the evening focused on something even more important: the people behind the story.

A Celebration Built Around People
The 20 Years Celebration brought together colleagues from across the organization to reflect on a journey that has transformed GATX Rail Europe into one of Europe’s leading railcar lessors.
Throughout the evening, one theme kept resurfacing: companies do not reach milestones alone. People do.

The celebration highlighted the dedication, expertise, teamwork, and commitment that have shaped GATX Rail Europe over the last two decades. Many colleagues in attendance have been part of that journey for years, some even since the very beginning.

Living Our GATX Rail Europe Values
A central moment of the evening was the GATX Values Award Ceremony.
Colleagues nominated one another for living the values that define how we work every day:

• I Own It, I Get It Done
• I Dare to Change
• I Strive for Excellence
• Together We Achieve More

The nominations told powerful stories of ownership, innovation, collaboration, and commitment. More importantly, they demonstrated that GATX Rail Europe’s values are not simply statements on a wall. They are visible every day in the actions of colleagues across the business.

The evening also introduced the new GATX Value Jacket, which will continue beyond the anniversary year as a symbol of outstanding performance, commitment, and loyalty.

20 Years, 20 Stories
The celebration also marked the official start of our 20 Years, 20 Stories campaign.
Over the coming months, we will share 20 stories that have shaped GATX Rail Europe. Some will look back at defining moments in our history. Others will focus on the people whose knowledge, dedication, and ideas helped build the company it is today. Together, they tell the story of how GATX Rail Europe grew from a merger of three organizations into a trusted partner serving customers across Europe.

Looking Ahead
Anniversaries are an opportunity to reflect. They are also an opportunity to look forward. As the 20 Years Celebration came to a close, the answer to the question that echoed throughout the evening was captured in a song written and performed by GATX colleagues across Vienna, Hamburg, and Warsaw: “And who shall we say is GATX?” The answer is simple. GATX Rail Europe is its people.