Koppers secures contract extensions with BNSF, CSX

Railroad tie manufacturer Koppers Inc. announced yesterday that it had extended its contracts with BNSF Railway Co. and CSX Transportation.

The contracts were scheduled to expire in 2017, but the new agreements extend them to 2021 and call for Koppers to provide crossties and related products to the two railroads throughout the contract period, Koppers officials said in a statement.

"We are pleased to be able to continue our positive relationships with BNSF and CSX. We have a long history of serving the North American rail network with quality products and services, and hope to continue growing our presence serving that market into the future," said Tom Loadman, Koppers' senior vice president of railroad products and services.

Koppers' Chief Executive Officer Leroy Ball added that the agreements would stabilize a portion of the company's revenue for a longer period of time.

Ccombined revenue from BNSF and CSX accounted for 40 percent of Koppers' 2014 railroad-related sales, company officials said.