RTA report: Crosstie production, purchases up in June

In June, crosstie production increased 13.4 percent to 2.5 million units and purchases increased 4.9 percent to 2.5 million units from May levels, the Railway Tie Association (RTA) reported yesterday.

Compared with year-ago levels, production was up 14.8 percent and purchases were up 9.5 percent, according to the RTA's June market report.

Production through June rose 12.4 percent to 13.988 million units and purchases rose 8.8 percent to 13.479 million units compared with levels during 2015's first half.

Purchases have been in a moderate upswing since May 2015, and are up at an 8  percent annual rate, RTA officials said in the report.

Starting in November 2014, production has been in a strong uptrend, and is up 20.8 percent from the year-ago level.