Enhancing Supplier Risk Management in the Canadian Rail Industry
ABINGDON, UK and TORONTO, CANADA, March 2025
Achilles, a global leader in supply chain risk management, and TRACCS, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Canadian passenger rail standards, have worked together to launch the “TRACCS Powered by Achilles” Supplier Certification and Risk Management System. This initiative establishes a standardized supplier certification framework, improving safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance across Canada’s passenger rail sector.
Set to go live for contractors at TRACCS Rail Day in May 2025, TRACCS Powered by Achilles will support passenger rail operators, infrastructure supply chain, procurement, and contractors in reducing risk, ensuring compliance with national safety and environmental regulations, and improving supply chain transparency.
Addressing a Critical Industry Need
With growing regulatory and operational challenges in Canada’s passenger rail sector, buyers require greater visibility into supplier compliance and risk management. Many organizations currently handle supplier assurance independently, leading to duplicated assessments, inefficiencies, and inconsistent safety standards.
By combining Achilles’ global expertise in supply chain risk management with TRACCS’ leadership in Canadian passenger rail safety and training standards, this new system will:
- Standardize supplier assessments, reducing administrative burden and costs.
- Enhance risk-based due diligence, ensuring suppliers meet appropriate safety and operational criteria.
- Provide real-time supply chain analytics, identifying potential risks before they escalate.
- Offer a shared assurance model, minimizing duplication for buyers and suppliers.
- Enable industry-wide collaboration, fostering continuous improvement through the TRACCS Steering Group.
A Collaborative Effort for Industry-Wide Impact
“This initiative introduces an industry-recognized Canadian rail supplier certification scheme while applying Achilles’ extensive experience from global markets,” said Katie Ferrier, Regional Director at Achilles. “It will drive efficiency while raising safety and sustainability standards across the industry.”
Paul Murphy, Vice President and Co-founder of TRACCS, added: “As a non-profit, TRACCS is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safety and compliance across the Canadian passenger rail industry. By working with Achilles, we are establishing a standardized certification process that enables suppliers to demonstrate compliance while giving buyers the transparency and confidence needed to manage risk effectively.”
Mark Salsberg , Chairperson and Co-founder of TRACCS, emphasized the alignment with TRACCS’ long-standing mission: “TRACCS was founded to improve safety, standards, best practices, innovation, and to ensure a competent workforce in the Canadian passenger rail industry. This initiative is a major step toward that goal, creating a structured approach that benefits both suppliers and buyers while reinforcing industry wide accountability.”
About Achilles
Achilles is a global leader in supply chain risk and performance management, supporting over 600 buying organizations and 200,000 suppliers across multiple industries. Achilles provides data-driven insights to enhance compliance, reduce risk, and improve ESG performance in global supply chains.
About TRACCS
TRACCS is a non-profit organization advocating for national standards in passenger rail safety, training, and sustainability across Canada. By working closely with industry stakeholders, TRACCS promotes safer, more efficient, and resilient supply chains to support the long-term success of the Canadian rail industry.
Media Contact:
Frankie Kite
Marketing Manager UKI, CAN, US
Achilles Information Ltd
Email: Frankie.kite@achilles.com
