Despite the volatile geopolitical situation, the infrastructure and transport sector remains extremely confident. The majority of CEOs expect sustained growth both within the sector and in their own companies, and are planning investments and strategic moves to ensure their resilience in an uncertain environment. This is revealed in the Infrastructure & Transport CEO Outlook, for which we surveyed 110 industry executives worldwide.
What role does AI play in transformation and improving efficiency?
The majority of CEOs surveyed regard artificial intelligence as a key technology and expect to see a tangible return on investment within one to three years. Applications range from optimising large-scale infrastructure projects and improving plant performance to enhancing energy efficiency and controlling costs. However, compared with other sectors, they are allocating the smallest budgets to AI applications. At the same time, a lack of regulation, ethical issues and insufficient data quality are seen as key obstacles that companies should address strategically.
How do supply chain risks influence short-term decisions?
Supply chain disruptions are among the key factors influencing short-term management decisions. Geopolitical tensions and trade risks are prompting many companies to diversify their sourcing regions in order to become more resilient. In the short term, therefore, measures aimed at ensuring operational stability and reducing dependencies are taking precedence.
The focus is on:
How are M&A and investment strategies changing the competitive landscape?
CEOs anticipate a significant upturn in the M&A market in the coming months. The majority expect these transactions to have a moderate impact on the sector. The primary aim is to pool expertise: digital capabilities, AI know-how, sustainable technologies and project management capabilities. Companies are using M&A as a catalyst to drive transformation initiatives forward more quickly and efficiently.
What is the significance of talent strategy and organisational development?
As technological change and the use of AI require new skills, CEOs are placing a strong emphasis on talent management. Many companies plan to retain skilled staff in the long term, provide further training and adapt career paths. A large number are redefining role profiles to build up expertise in data, AI and digital infrastructure. This strategic direction is crucial for implementing strategic priorities – from project management to sustainability.
Your contact person
Dr. Steffen Wagner
Partner, Deal Advisory, Head of Corporate Finance, Head of Transport & Infrastructure
KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft