A think tank that influences decisions. A lighthouse that guides the sector. Professor Uday Kumar wants the EFNMS Railway Maintenance Committee to become both, at a time when Europe’s railways must deliver more with infrastructure that is already ageing.

Why the Future of Asset Management is about People as much as Technology? Maintenance and Asset Management are entering a decisive decade. According to the NVDO Maintenance Compass 2025, the sector faces a convergence of major developments: rapid digitalisation, a growing shortage of experienced technicians, and increasing pressure from the energy transition and sustainability goals.

“Maintenance is no longer just fixing machines after they break—it’s about data, AI, and strategy,” points out Branislav Kysel, President of the Slovakian Maintenance Society.

When Euromaintenance comes to Luleå in June 2026, it will not only mark a new geographic destination for Europe’s flagship maintenance conference but also signal a decisive moment for the profession itself. According to EFNMS Chair Diego Galar, this event is designed to reposition maintenance and asset management as strategic drivers of industrial performance, resilience, and sustainability.

Maintworld asked EFHMS key leaders to describe their main objectives for 2026. Together, the answers highlight a shared focus on people, competence, and collaboration, while reflecting the specific roles of each committee and the federation.