Rail supplier news from Bombardier, STV, Stella-Jones and SightLogix (Aug. 14)

Striking workers at Bombardier Transportation's Thunder Bay, Ontario, plant planned to travel to Toronto to pressure Toronto Transit Commission officials not to accept vehicles assembled by replacement workers, Unifor leaders announced yesterday in a press release. More than 900 workers at the plant, who are members of Unifor Local 1075, have been on strike since July 14 in an effort to protect pensions and retiree benefits, union officials said. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector.

Michelle Bennett has joined STV as vice president, chief people officer and head of human resources. She will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Milo Riverso. Bennett has 20 years of experience as a human resources professional in the engineering industry. Prior to joining STV, she served an employee-owned company comprised of engineers, architects and environmental scientists in the water, energy and resources, environmental, property and buildings and transportation sectors. Bennett headed up the human resources department in support of 30 offices and 1,100 employees throughout North and South America.

Stella-Jones Inc. reported that second-quarter net income rose 9 percent to $28.8 million from $26.4 million a year ago; sales climbed 22.7 percent to $344.8 million from $280.9 million; and diluted earnings per share reached 42 cents versus 38 cents last year. (All figures are reported in Canadian dollars, except earnings per share.) The operating assets acquired from Pacific Wood Preserving Cos. (PWP) on Nov. 15, 2013, and from Boatright Railroad Products Inc. on May 22, 2014, contributed sales of $12 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Tie sales rose 18 percent to $141.5 million from $119.8 million a year earlier. Excluding sales from the PWP and Boatright assets, as well as the conversion effect, tie sales rose 6.4 percent.

SightLogix has named Victor Biberston director of sales of the Western region. Prior to joining SightLogix, he held product and marketing positions with Pelco by Schneider Electric, where he was responsible for introducing new products and services. Biberston also led marketing and product management at Samsung Techwin America. In his new role, he will focus on expanding sales in the western United States and western Canada, as well as Latin America.