Rail supplier news from Union Leasing, Kapsch TrafficCom, Steel Dynamics and Tiger Cool (July 7)

Union Leasing Inc. has appointed Todd Heemsoth president. Before joining the company, he was partner-in-charge for the strategic technologies division at Sikich LLP, a public accounting and technology consulting firm. Heemsoth also served as president of Hale Solutions Inc., an information technology consulting firm he founded in 2004 and sold to Sikich in December 2016. Heemsoth's successful track record in information and business systems, software implementation and strategic technologies makes him "uniquely suited for his new role," said Jeff Walsh, chief executive officer of Sasser Family Holdings, the parent company of Union Leasing, in a press release.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has awarded Kapsch TrafficCom a contract to design, develop, implement, support and maintain a turnkey regional mobile ticketing system. The new system will enable MARTA riders to purchase and electronically validate tickets using their mobile smart devices, as well as directly through the mobile ticketing site. The project is valued at just under $11 million. Kapsch and its partners Bytemark Inc. and TransTrack Systems Inc. will deliver a mobile ticketing app and website, a customer service tool for account management, electronic validators, and account-based back-office solutions for MARTA to manage the new system.

Steel Dynamics Inc. has unveiled a $75 million expansion plan for its structural and rail division in Columbia City, Indiana. The project involves utilizing excess melting and casting capability, as well as further diversifying the company's portfolio, Steel Dynamics officials said in a press release. As part of the project, the company will add a rolling mill. The expansion will provide for the annual production of 240,000 tons of reinforcing bar in various sizes. Subject to the anticipated receipt of necessary permits and the receipt of state and local government support, the project is slated to wrap up in fourth-quarter 2018.

Tiger Cool Express has added four new employees to its business development team. The company hired Thomas Talley, Dales Miles and Tony Colella as directors of business development, and Michael Clayton as vice president of business development. Each new hire brings "valuable industry experience" to help leverage Tiger Cool's intermodal service, company officials said in a press release.