Rail supplier news from Vossloh, Kelso, Keolis, Siemens, Masabi and Gulf Intermodal (Dec. 3)

Vossloh AG's supervisory board announced a new strategy for the Vossloh Group that involves splitting the rail infrastructure division into three new business units: Core Components, Customized Modules and Lifecycle Solutions. "These three new infrastructure units form the future core business of the group, while the previous transportation division is no longer defined as core business," Vossloh officials said in a press release. The company's goal is to sell the transportation division in whole or in parts by 2017, or transfer it to a partnership no longer controlled by Vossloh. "The longer-term transformation of the group into a new company in the rail infrastructure segment [now] is being initiated. In connection with this realignment, it is also planned to strengthen the three new core divisions through acquisitions," Vossloh officials said.

Kelso Technologies Inc. received its first commercial 100 tank-car unit train order featuring both its pressure relief valve (PRV) and one-bolt manway (Kelso Klincher®) from National Steel Car in Hamilton, Ontario. Shipments will start this month. Kelso's PRV and Klincher® are recognized by National Steel Car as well suited to its tank-car applications, Kelso officials said in a press release.

Keolis has named Robert Hinchcliffe director of light rail transit for the company's North American operations. Hinchcliffe will be responsible for developing and managing light-rail transit systems as well as business development opportunities across North America. A native of Yorkshire, England, Hinchcliffe has more than 24 years of experience in engineering design, manufacture, project management and business development for complex projects. Before joining Keolis, he spent 18 years with Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, managing projects in Europe, Hong Kong and the United States.

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded reaccreditation status to Siemens. IACET Authorized Providers are the only organizations approved to offer IACET Continuing Education Units. The accreditation period extends for five years.

Brian Zanghi recently joined Masabi as chief executive officer and president. He will focus on accelerating growth globally in the evolving mobile ticketing market, according to a company press release. Zanghi succeeds CEO and co-founder Ben Whitaker, who will remain with the company as head of innovation. Prior to joining Masabi, Zanghi was CEO of Awareness Inc., a social marketing software provider. He has held a number of other leadership positions at other software companies, as well.

John May has been named vice president of business development at Gulf Intermodal Services. May has more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, including leadership roles at Team Transport, Tri Star Freight and W.W. Rowland. He is also past president of the Texas Intermodal Truckers Association.