Hitachi Rail has secured EcoVadis’ highest sustainability recognition, EcoVadis Platinum, placing the global mobility leader among the top one percent of companies worldwide for environmental, ethical, and responsible business performance.
GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Sustainability has become a defining measure of business success, and Hitachi Rail has reached a significant new milestone in its journey. The company has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, the highest distinction available through the globally recognised business sustainability ratings provider, placing it among the top one percent of organisations assessed over the past 12 months.
The achievement reflects the maturity of Hitachi Rail’s sustainability management system and reinforces its long-term commitment to responsible business practices, environmental stewardship, ethical governance, and transparent supply chains.
Awarded following a comprehensive assessment across four key pillars – Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement – the Platinum Medal demonstrates the company’s ability to embed sustainability throughout its operations, rather than treating it as a standalone corporate objective.
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE
For Hitachi Rail, sustainability is increasingly woven into the way the business operates, makes decisions, and manages risk.
Dr. Maiya Shibasaki, Chief Sustainability Officer at Hitachi Rail believes the recognition represents the collective efforts of employees across the organisation and the growing integration of sustainability into day-to-day business practices.
“Sustainability is not an ambition alongside business – it is increasingly integrated into how business creates value,” she says.
“Achieving EcoVadis Platinum reflects the progress we are making in embedding sustainability into the way we operate, make decisions, and manage risk. It also reflects the commitment of colleagues across our business who are strengthening performance, building resilience, and creating value every day.”
The award acknowledges more than strong environmental credentials alone. EcoVadis’ methodology also measures how organisations protect human rights, maintain ethical business conduct, and promote responsible procurement across increasingly complex global supply chains.
For a company operating in more than 50 countries and working alongside transport operators, suppliers, and public authorities worldwide, achieving excellence across all four categories highlights the breadth of its sustainability strategy.
SUPPORTING THE MOBILITY TRANSITION
As demand grows for cleaner, smarter transport networks, Hitachi Rail continues to position sustainability as a central driver of innovation.
The company invests in technologies designed to accelerate the transition towards low-carbon mobility, helping cities and regions reduce emissions while improving connectivity and enhancing quality of life.
Its expertise spans virtually every aspect of the rail ecosystem, from rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance to digital signalling, payment systems, and intelligent operational technologies.
Combining this extensive transport experience with the wider Hitachi Group’s digital and artificial intelligence capabilities enables the business to develop increasingly connected and efficient mobility solutions that support long-term environmental goals.
The company’s mission remains focused on helping passengers, customers, and communities benefit from transportation systems that are smoother, more connected, and more sustainable.
RAISING STANDARDS ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN
The EcoVadis Platinum Medal also reflects Hitachi Rail’s commitment to responsible business beyond its own operations.
Transparency and accountability throughout the value chain form an important part of the company’s sustainability approach, with close collaboration between suppliers and stakeholders helping to promote high environmental, social, and ethical standards.
By strengthening responsible procurement practices and encouraging sustainable performance across business relationships, Hitachi Rail aims to build greater resilience throughout its global network while reinforcing trust with customers and partners.
This collaborative approach supports the company’s wider ambition to contribute to a more sustainable future through innovative rail technologies, digital solutions, and environmentally responsible transportation systems.
Rather than viewing sustainability as a compliance exercise, the business continues to position it as a source of long-term value creation, helping manage risk while supporting operational excellence and innovation.
BUILDING A MORE BALANCED FUTURE
The recognition also aligns with the broader ambitions of parent company Hitachi Ltd., whose Social Innovation Business brings together information technology, operational technology, and products to transform social infrastructure through digital innovation.
Across its operations, Hitachi seeks to create a society in which environmental responsibility, wellbeing, and economic growth exist in balance by combining data, technology, and industry expertise to address both customer and societal challenges.
Within this wider vision, Hitachi Rail plays a pivotal role by delivering transportation solutions that help support decarbonisation while improving the efficiency and accessibility of public transport networks around the world.
With annual turnover exceeding €7 billion and a workforce of approximately 24,000 employees, the company combines global reach with a strong local presence, investing in talent, communities, and long-term partnerships across the markets it serves.
Achieving EcoVadis Platinum therefore represents more than a prestigious sustainability accolade. It provides independent recognition that Hitachi Rail’s environmental, ethical, and operational commitments are becoming increasingly embedded throughout the organisation, strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the global transition towards sustainable mobility.
This article was produced by the editorial team at Supply Chain Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across supply chains, manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, food production, and sustainability.
Supply Chain Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping the global logistics and supply chain sector.
