Rail supplier news from Comet and Alcea

Comet Industries, which provides freight-car component reconditioning, has been certified by the Association of American Railroads to perform increased component life inspections. The certification enables eligible bolsters and side frames to remain in service for up to 67 years, a 15-year extension beyond the standard 52-year limit, Comet officials said in a press release. To achieve certification, Comet met the highest inspection standards set forth in the AAR M214 field manual. The process included magnetic particle testing and other extensive nondestructive testing to ensure each qualifying component meets the requirements for extended service life.

Alcea, an Assa Abloy company and provider of total security solutions for critical infrastructure, has hired Jeff Slaughter to head business development, according to a company press release. He has more than two decades of experience building high-performing teams, launching advanced security technologies and leading enterprise-level national accounts. In his new role, Slaughter will focus on accelerating ALCEA’s growth in energy and telecommunications, oil and gas, and transportation, while also preparing the company’s channel partners for a nationwide push. His immediate focus includes the ramp-up to the North American launch of ALWIN, ALCEA’s advanced security management software platform, company officials said.