Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Hy-Tech, Alstom, STV, Schneider and HOTSTART (Oct. 16)

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Wabtec celebrated the grand opening of its global headquarters in Pittsburgh.Photo – Wabtec

Wabtec Corp. this month marked its 150th anniversary. The company’s origins began with founder George Westinghouse Jr.’s invention of the automatic air brake. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers recognized the significance of Westinghouse’s air brake to society with an historic mechanical engineering landmark designation. Meanwhile, Wabtec also celebrated the grand opening of its global headquarters in Pittsburgh. The office will house 250 employees, company officials said in a press release.

Hy-Tech Engineered Solutions Inc. has acquired Blaz-Man Gear and Gear Products & Manufacturing. The acquisitions will triple Hy-Tech’s capacity in gear production; allow the company to expand into more complex spiral and straight bevel gear design and manufacture; and lower costs, company officials said in a press release. The new companies will operate together with Hy-Tech’s existing gear company, Quality Gear, forming a new Power Transmission Division in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Alstom signed a $287 million contract with Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) to design and manufacture 42 Metropolis trains for the Barcelona Metro in Spain. The five-car trains will be manufactured in Alstom’s Barcelona site and delivered to TMB within two and a half years, Alstom officials said in a press release.

STV Inc. hired Jorge Suarez as vice president and technical director of the firm’s national bridge practice. Suarez has more than 40 years of bridge design experience. Prior to joining STV, he was VP and director of structural engineering at a major international design firm. Suarez is an American Society of Civil Engineers fellow and a frequent author and presenter at national bridge conferences, STV officials said in a press release.

Schneider received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Excellence Award for the 10th time. The award recognizes organizations that significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the freight sector, company officials said in a press release. Schneider was also named to the EPA’s SmartWay High Performer list, which recognizes transportation companies that are a step ahead in meeting the challenges of the sustainable goods movement. Schneider has earned this designation each of the three years since it was established. 

The Spokane Journal of Business and Best Companies Group named HOTSTART the best medium-sized company to work for in the Inland Northwest region of the greater Spokane, Washington area. The awards program recognizes employers that are a benefit to the region’s economy, workforce and businesses. HOTSTART was also named best manufacturer and ranked fifth overall out of 35 companies.