Rail supplier news from United Technologies, Knorr-Bremse, Bombardier, Focus Technology Solutions and NRC (Aug. 22)

United Technologies Corp. has acquired Predikto Inc., an Atlanta-based predictive analytics software firm. Predikto has developed a cloud-based predictive health maintenance solution aimed at enabling its customers to forecast and improve asset reliability with better certainty. The acquisition will reinforce United Technologies' global digital strategy of making strategic business investments to deliver "new forms of value" for customers, employees and shareholders, company officials said in a press release.

Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems has acquired Federal-Mogul Corp.'s intellectual property rights for the development and production of friction materials for rail vehicle and industrial applications. In return, Federal-Mogul will receive a "back license" from Knorr-Bremse that will enable the company to continue supplying rail friction materials. The acquisition will help Knorr-Bremse reinforce its system expertise and invest in new and improved customer-oriented products, company officials said in a press release. The integarted development of rail braking systems and brake pads is expected to lead to greater deceleration, lower noise emissions and reduced lifecycle costs, according to Knorr-Bremse.

Czech Railways subsidiary CD Cargo has signed a purchase agreement for up to 50 Bombardier Traxx multi-system locomotives. The unit is the only multi-system locomotive on the market with a "last mile" function to more easily bridge non-electrified track sections in ports or freight terminals, Bombardier officials said in a press release. The new locomotive also will be equipped with the latest version of the European Train Control System. CD Cargo's first 10 locomotives will be used for freight and passenger service in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary. The locomotives will be assembled at Bombardier's site in Kassel, Germany, with the carbodies coming from Wroclaw, Poland, and bogies produced in Siegen, Germany.

The United States Patent Office has granted two major patents to Peter Bartek for autonomous inter-vehicle communications and collision avoidance technologies. The new patents expand Bartek's existing portfolio, which covers radio, sensor and advanced warning systems. Bartek serves as president and chief executive officer of a new start-up called Focus Technology Solutions, a division of The Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Co.

The deadline for the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association's (NRC) scholarship program is Aug. 31. The association is awarding three individual scholarships: The first place applicant will receive $12,000; the second place applicant, $6,000; and the third place applicant, $3,000. To be eligible for the award, an applicant must be a child or grandchild of a current employee at an NRC member company. At the time of application, an applicant also must be enrolled as a full-time college student at an accredited two-year college or an accredited four-year college. Recently graduated high school seniors also are eligible. For more information, visit NRC's scholarship page.