RTA: Tie production, purchases rose in June

In June, tie production rose 1.4 percent to 1.54 million units and purchases soared 23.7 percent to 2.23 million units compared with May levels, according to the Railway Tie Association's (RTA) latest market report.

On a year-over-year basis, production fell 14.2 percent, while purchases dropped 10.4 percent.

Year to date, production totaled 8.57 million ties, down 22.1 percent compared with last year. Tie purchases through the first six months of 2018 are down 3.5 percent to 11 million units compared with the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, 12-month rolling totals through June show purchases are in an upward trend at a 1.4 percent annual rate. Production is trending lower and is down by a 25.3 percent annual rate, RTA reported.