Rail supplier news from Nippon Sharyo, Louis Berger, Plasser, Bombardier, American Railcar and Atkins (Aug. 1)

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn joined Nippon Sharyo Manufacturing L.L.C. officials earlier this week at the opening of Nippon Sharyo's expanded passenger-rail car production facility in Rochelle, Ill. Nippon Sharyo Manufacturing has more than 400 employees in the original Shop 1 and Shop 2, and the $100 million Shop 3 will add an additional 90 manufacturing jobs when in full production, according to a company press release. "We will now be able to fabricate, weld and assemble parts for our car body shells right here, making Nippon Sharyo a 100 percent Buy America compliant rail-car builder," Nippon Sharyo Chairman Katsuyuki Ikushima said.

Louis Berger, as part of the Consorcio PML2 joint venture, has signed a $32 million contract to oversee Panama City Metro's second line. The signing follows the award by the Panamanian secretary for the Metro announced on July 10. The Consorcio PML2 — comprised of Louis Berger and Spanish consultant partners Ayesa and Metropolitan Transports of Barcelona — was selected for the project after receiving the highest proposal score based on technical and economic criteria. Under the five-year, $32 million contract, the consortium will supervise construction of Line 2 of the Panama City Metro.

Gunther Oberlechner has been promoted to president of Plasser American Corp. He succeeds Josef Neuhofer, who now will serve as chairman. Also, Georg Seyrlehner has been promoted to vice president of operations and productions, and Shelton Tackett has been named plant manager.

Bombardier Transportation reported that second-quarter revenue increased to $2.4 billion compared with second-quarter 2013 revenue of $2.2 billion. New orders reached $1.7 billion during the quarter, bringing the value of total orders to $9.7 billion for the year's first six months and resulting in an order backlog of $37.6 billion as of June 30. During the quarter, Bombardier obtained several small and medium orders across various regions and product segments, including a contract for rolling stock from an undisclosed customer for a value of $338 million. Also during the quarter, the company signed a framework agreement with Railpool GmbH to provide 65 TRAXX locomotives, with a first call-off of 35 locomotives valued at $184 million.

American Railcar Industries Inc.'s net earnings in the second quarter rose 36 percent to $32.2 million, or $1.51 per share — a new quarterly record — compared with $23.6 million, or $1.11 per share, in the same 2013 period. The gain was driven primarily by increased consolidated earnings from operations and improved results from joint ventures. Quarterly revenue rose 49 percent to $237.5 million compared with $159.4 million a year ago. The company shipped 2,140 rail cars during the quarter.

Atkins has committed to a partnership engagement with WTS International. While the company has supported WTS Foundation with scholarship sponsorship, Atkins officials said the company will commit its partnership with WTS at the Champion level, making a substantial commitment in support of the association's programs and operations internationally, according to a company press release.