Tideworks gears up for European rail market expansion

As the rail freight market in mainland Europe grows, Tideworks is readying itself to make its presence felt. During an exclusive interview, Todd Tatterson, vice president of business development at Tideworks, shared insights into the company’s readiness to expand its solutions across Europe. After quietly building a reputation, Tideworks is now actively seeking opportunities to bring its cutting-edge technology to the Old Continent.

Founded in 1999, Tideworks started as the IT arm of SSA Marine, developing intellectual property before spinning off into its own entity. Tatterson recalled how the company’s first client was a small container terminal in British Columbia, Canada.

With time, Tideworks has become a global terminal operating system (TOS) player. In September, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary—a milestone that, according to Tatterson, reflects its innovation and dedication to the logistics industry.

US and UK experience critical

Tatterson explained that Tideworks’ first experience with the rail sector occurred in 2009 when a client in Tacoma, Washington, sought a solution to optimise its rail terminal operations, similar to what Tideworks had already successfully achieved in container terminals.

The team recognised the similarities between rail and maritime container operations and worked over two years to develop a solution. Since then, Tideworks has expanded its rail-focused technology, managing operations for CSX, a leading Class 1 U.S. railroad. Over the years, the company has honed a mature, modern software suite that is flexible enough to meet the needs of large, complex rail networks.

Tideworks also gained valuable experience working with Freightliner (formerly known as Genesee and Wyoming) in the U.K. The logistics environment in the U.K. differs from the U.S., where trains can be over a mile long with hundreds of containers, underlined Tatterson.

“In the U.K., shorter trains share tracks with passenger rail, making the optimisation challenge unique. Through this project, Tideworks improved efficiency across the U.K.’s rail network—a testament to the company’s ability to adapt to regional differences. This experience has laid the groundwork for Tideworks’ expansion into Europe, where similar challenges exist in the rail freight market,” he highlighted.

Expansion into mainland Europe

Now that Tideworks has successfully completed projects in the U.K. and U.S., it is turning its sights on mainland Europe. According to Tatterson, Tideworks has been relatively quiet about marketing in Europe, focusing instead on completing existing projects. However, with a robust toolkit now developed, the company is ready to ramp up its marketing and establish a stronger presence on the continent.

What Tideworks brings to Europe is not just cutting-edge technology but also a commitment to adding value to the customer’s operations. Tatterson emphasised that Tideworks prides itself on ensuring that its software provides a tangible return on investment. If a solution does not meet that standard, they prefer not to implement it.

Moreover, Tideworks offers comprehensive support, which they believe will ease the transition for European rail companies adopting new technology. They are actively building a network of local implementation partners, ensuring customers in Europe can benefit from fast, reliable service without relying on support from across the Atlantic.

Turning the tide in rail freight efficiency

As the European rail sector continues to evolve, Tideworks aims to play a pivotal role in helping operators adapt to the growing demand for technology-driven efficiency. “Rail operators have historically been resistant to change, much like their counterparts in the maritime sector,” said Tatterson. “In both industries, operational knowledge was often passed down through experience rather than technology,” he continued.

“For example, operators used to rely on memory to decide where to stack containers based on colour. But as rail freight becomes more complex and expensive, there is little room for inefficiency,” he stressed.

Tatterson believes that the European rail market is now reaching a point where technology can no longer be sidelined. The company’s solutions are designed to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce the number of times containers are moved, and optimise the overall flow of freight. With its deep expertise in both rail and maritime markets, Tideworks is well-equipped to help European rail companies overcome their resistance to change, driving significant improvements in operational performance.