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• GE Transportation recently signed an agreement with America Latina Logistica (ALL) to deliver 10 new AC44i locomotives. Powered by diesel engines supplied by GE Transportation’s manufacturing plant in Grove City, Pa., the Model AC44i features the builder’s AC individual-axle traction-control technology, which enables the locomotive to haul heavier loads by reducing slippage on start-ups, inclines and suboptimal track conditions, the company said in a prepared statement. They’ll be built by GE Transportation South America in Contagem, Brazil, and are scheduled for delivery later this year. ALL, which operates South America’s largest independent general cargo railway, operates a fleet of more than 1,000 locomotives that run over 13,020 track miles connecting Brazil and Argentina.

• Growth, however moderate, is in the offing at Germany’s Vossloh AG, company officials said in a prepared statement. For the next two years, they expect “moderate organic growth rates” and an “overall sales uptrend,” with sales of $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion in 2010 compared with 2009’s projected $1.7 billion. They also expect locomotive business to lag due to “declining freight haulage.” Overall, though, the “generally bright prospects” will enable the company to “keep capital expenditures for buttressing and expanding market positions at a high level” during the next two years. “Rising demand for green modes of mobility on local and long-distance routes opens up promising prospects for us,” said Chief Executive Officer Werner Andree. “And as a rail technology group with a broadly based lineup, M&As will also be contributing toward Vossloh’s growth.”

• Jason Lutz recently joined Midland Manufacturing as East Coast regional manager. He’ll be responsible for product sales, product specifications and account management for the company's East Coast client base. Lutz previously spent 12 years working in various engineered product and system sales roles, including field sales engineer with IFM Efector and TekSystems.