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After increasing for much of 2012 and stabilizing in June, crosstie production declined in July, according to the Railway Tie Association’s (RTA) latest monthly market report. Production totaled 2.1 million units, down 6.6 percent from June's level.

But after a “rather lackluster” May and June, tie purchases surged 11.7 percent in July to 2.3 million units, RTA officials said in the report. Inventories declined 1.1 percent in July to 16.9 million units and the inventory-to-sales ratio fell from June’s 0.72 to 0.69.

Through 2012’s first seven months, tie production climbed 17.2 percent on a year-over-year basis to 14.8 million units. Purchases soared 21 percent to 15 million units.

Meanwhile, 12-month rolling data through July showed the market’s direction is encouraging, RTA officials said. Production (at 24.9 million units) registered an annual growth rate of 17.7 percent and purchases (at 24.3 million units) were up about 19 percent, the report states. Tie inventories expanded by 3.3 percent.