rail equipment manufacturer

Wabtec to acquire Brazilian maintenance-of-way equipment supplier

Rail technology and equipment provider Wabtec plans to acquire Super Metal, a supplier of automated vehicles and equipment solutions headquartered in Brazil.

Pittsburgh-based Wabtec (NYSE: WAB) says the acquisition will complement a March 2021 purchase of maintenance-of-way (MOW) manufacturer Nordco and help expand its presence in international markets. Wabtec describes Super Metal as one of the leading companies in Brazil involved in MOW equipment.

Wabtec didn’t disclose the financial terms of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wabtec-to-acquire-brazilian-maintenance-of-way-equipment-supplier

FreightCar America sees benefit in tight rail car supply, better rail service

A photograph of a rail yard. A city is in the distance.

Although macroeconomic uncertainties loom and higher inflation could be keeping some would-be customers at bay, rail car manufacturer FreightCar America is bullish on the second half of 2022.

“I would like to emphasize just how optimistic we are about the future,” President and CEO Jim Meyer said in prepared remarks during FreightCar America’s second-quarter earnings call Tuesday morning. “At the same time, I would like to emphasize that we are also realistic about the potential temporary...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightcar-america-sees-benefit-in-tight-rail-car-supply-better-rail-service

Wabtec sees improving rail service as tailwind in 2nd half of 2022

Like others in the rail equipment sector, rail technology provider and locomotive manufacturer Wabtec sees improving rail service in the second half of 2022 as supporting the company’s business.

Improvements in rail service since the start of the year have translated into the “unparking” of locomotives, while North American carload volumes are poised to show year-over-year gains in the second half of this year, President and CEO Rafael Santana told investors during Wabtec’s earnings call Friday...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wabtec-sees-improving-rail-service-as-tailwind-in-2nd-half-of-2022

Trinity Industries says improved rail service would benefit railcar lessors

A tank car parked at a rail yard.

Executives with railcar lessor and manufacturer Trinity Industries were upbeat about the second half of 2022 despite lingering rail service issues and the Class I railroads’ challenge of hiring more employees to improve network capacity.

“We’re hearing from our shipper customers that there are more originations available than  industry data would suggest,” Trinity President and CEO Jean Savage told investors during Trinity’s second-quarter 2022 earnings call earlier this week. “The railroads...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trinity-industries-says-improved-rail-service-would-benefit-railcar-lessors

National Railway Equipment CEO: ‘Future is bright’ for new tech adoption

A single locomotive in a wide open field.

As more companies seek to deploy greener locomotives and rail equipment to support their sustainability programs, National Railway Equipment’s new CEO, Merritt Becker, expects to help customers embrace technology and transition seamlessly toward that goal.

FreightWaves recently chatted with Becker, whose first day as CEO of NRE was Wednesday. NRE is a Mount Vernon, Illinois-based supplier serving North American and international railroads in the areas of locomotive servicing, providing new and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/national-railway-equipment-ceo-future-is-bright-for-new-tech-adoption

FreightCar America sees opportunity in continued high scrapping levels in 2022

A photograph of a railcar in a yard.

Continued elevated levels for scrapping railcars are likely to persist in 2022, which should benefit railcar manufacturer FreightCar America this year, company executives said during the company’s fourth-quarter 2021 earnings call.

“Since 2020, railcar annual scrapping figures have outpaced deliveries and historical replacement demand as customers retire older and less efficient railcar assets,” Matthew Tonn, FreightCar America (NASDAQ: RAIL) chief commercial officer, told investors on Tuesday....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freightcar-america-sees-opportunity-in-continued-high-scrapping-levels-in-2022

North American rail equipment makers keep close watch on Ukraine-Russia

A photograph of a tank car.

The North American railcar and rail equipment manufacturing industry is keeping its eye on what’s happening in Ukraine and Russia since many companies deal with customers or have facilities in or near the region.

“Historically the railway supply industry has been concentrated in North America, however, many equipment manufacturers have been feeling the effects of broader supply chain challenges that predated this crisis,” said John Hebert, spokesman for the Railway Supply Institute. “We are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/north-american-rail-equipment-makers-keep-close-watch-on-ukraine-russia

How railcar backlogs reflect market dynamics

A photograph of a train passing by a rail crossing.

During earnings season, railcar manufacturers will discuss the size of their railcar backlog. What are backlogs and why are they important? This AskWaves article will look at this topic.

What is a railcar backlog?

A backlog is simply the orders for railcars that leasing companies, railroads and private businesses such as chemical companies and banks place with railcar manufacturers that have not yet been delivered by the manufacturers.

As a manufacturer delivers an order of railcars, the backlog...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-railcar-backlogs-reflect-market-dynamics

Wabtec modernizes 1,000th locomotive

Wabtec has modernized its 1,000th locomotive in North and South America, the rail equipment manufacturer noted on Friday.

Wabtec (NYSE: WAB) says rehabilitating older locomotives has resulted in up to a 25% increase in fuel efficiency, a more than 40% increase in reliability, up to a 55% increase in haulage ability and up to a 20% reduction in maintenance, repair and overhaul costs.

By making older locomotives more fuel efficient, the 1,000 locomotives have reduced their carbon emissions by more...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wabtec-modernizes-1000th-locomotive

COVID-19 forces National Steel Car plant to suspend manufacturing operations

A photograph of freight railcar wheels.

A Canadian facility of National Steel Car, a rail parts and freight car manufacturer, has been temporarily closed because of an outbreak of COVID-19.

A release last week said National Steel Car, in consultation with the public health department in Hamilton, Ontario, decided to extend a suspension of manufacturing operations for another week. The company now plans to resume operations on May 17.

“National Steel Car is continually monitoring the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and related developments....

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/covid-19-forces-national-steel-car-plant-to-suspend-manufacturing-operations

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