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Watco Cos. L.L.C. recently formed Watco Compliance Services, a new division charged with providing a uniform and standardized approach to compliance, training and operational excellence throughout the company.

The division will be led by James Rader, who was named senior vice president, and Tom DeLafosse, who was appointed vice president. Rader served AllTranstek L.L.C. the past nine years as vice president, and prior to that held various positions at the Federal Railroad Administration for 15 years. DeLafosse was AllTranstek’s director of technical support for the past six years, and prior to that served Union Tank Car Co., Rescar Cos. and IGS Capital Management in various capacities.

Watco Compliance Services will focus on the evaluation and assessment of quality and compliance with a broad range of technical specifications, legal, regulatory and safety rules, Watco officials said in a prepared statement. The division also will be responsible for developing standard operating procedures for compliance with applicable engineering specifications, regulations and rules applying to various freight transportation services, including rail-car repair and maintenance, transloading, intermodal, motor carrier services, industrial switching, car and bulk storage, and hazardous and nonhazardous material handling.

The division’s goal: to improve the quality of service, safety and compliance to the highest level in the rail industry, said Watco President Terry Towner.

The division will enable the company to "achieve standardization and operational excellence in environmental safety, health and railroad transportation programs,” said Rader.