Outlook 2017: Greg Grissom, Georgetown Rail Equipment Co.

For our railroad customers, 2016 has been a very challenging year of reduced carloads, decreased revenues, regulatory pressures and strategic cost-cutting measures.

With our Class I railroad customers focused on improving operating ratios, Georgetown Rail Equipment Co. (GREX) has continued to heavily invest in technology solutions that have had significant impacts on completing projects more efficiently and safely. The range of our next-generation products is broad, and include the new Dumptrain for Curves, while continuing to add to our suite of track inspection services. Building on the success of the Aurora Xi system, we have several new projects focused on bringing brand-new technologies to the industry, invoking a similar model of strategic research partnerships and strong internal talent.

Understanding the "new" railroad environment and global economy has allowed GREX to prioritize our R&D efforts in a way that has resulted in our inspection technology taking a primary role in compliance, safety and more effective capital program decision-making.

We also have blended new technology with our maintenance-of-way equipment, allowing for all-time highs in equipment up-time and effectiveness.

At GREX, our historical success has always been derived from listening to our customer’s challenges and being streamlined to bringing these products to market. We are most proud of GREX’s field employees, who show an unwavering commitment to working safely and getting the job done.

As we look to 2017, we feel confident that our people — along with the pipeline of new products and services — will answer the call to accelerate project completion, extend the life cycle of track assets and put more bang in each capital dollar spent.

Our focus to add value to our offerings with reinvestment continues to make us a responsive partner in these uncertain times of railroad volume and other regulatory headwinds.

Larry Laurello, Delta Railroad Construction Inc.
Bill Dorris, J-Track LLC Central Division
Kevin Riddett, RailWorks Corp.
Don Alexander, Savage