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• Nordco Inc. has changed Dapco Technologies’ name to Nordco Rail Services and named Chris Smitka the rail services unit’s president. In addition, Nordco relocated Nordco Rail Services to a new Lee’s Summit, Mo., facility. Now a stand-alone company, Nordco Rail Services is the service arm of Dapco Industries Inc., which manufactures mobile and on-site non-destructive ultrasonic inspection systems for railroads and other industries. Smitka, who has 17 years of rail industry experience, previously served BNSF Railway Co. in various capacities, including manager of engineering and car design engineer. He also served stints as regional sales manager for Miner Enterprises and director of operations for AllCapital Rail Management. Nordco also appointed Pat Graham president of Dapco Industries to succeed Dominick Pagano. Graham joined Dapco Industries in 2007 as general manager. He previously was chief operating officer for ThermoSpas Inc.

• GE Rail Services has named Joe Lattanzio president and chief executive officer. The company leases rail cars and intermodal containers, trailers and chassis to railroads and shippers.

• Ansaldo STS subsidiary Ansaldo STS Australia signed an agreement with the Australia Rail Track Corp. (ARTC) to provide signaling systems for ARTC-owned coal corridors in new South Wales and Victoria. The pact will generate about $193 million in revenue during the next three years, Ansaldo STS said. The agreement covers loop extensions, additional lines and junction upgrades in the Hunter Valley coal corridor; upgrades and extensions to three loops, and one new loop on the North Coast coal corridor; and control systems work for the South Sydney freight line.  Ansaldo STS Australia also will continue to upgrade signaling systems as part of the Train Control Alignment Project.

• Yesterday, the Parsons–Odebrecht Joint Venture (POJV) and Miami–Dade Aviation Department officially launched construction of the 1.3-mile Automated People Mover (APM) at Miami International Airport. Under a $259 million design-build contract, POJV will construct the guideway and stations, install the turnkey operating system and deliver eight Crystal Mover APM vehicles. To be completed in September 2011, the APM system will run between the airport and the Miami Intermodal Center.

• Automotive interior system supplier Toyota Boshoku America forged a $100 million, three-year partnership with Walker International Transportation, a minority-owned international logistics company. Walker International will manage Toyota Boshoku’s in-bound supply chain and transportation logistics for seats, door trims, headliners, carpets and other automotive interior products.