Rail supplier news from Vertex, Thales, Timken and VeRail Technologies (Feb. 29)

Vertex Railcar Corp. has announced the launch of Vertex Rail Leasing LLC, the company's wholly owned subsidiary that serves as a leasing partner for customers who prefer leasing alternatives. The launch is aimed at positioning Vertex to address rail-car needs "across the full spectrum of customers in the market," including those that want to lease, company officials said in a press release.

ADIF, Spain's state-owned rail infrastructure company, has awarded Thales a $66.9 million contract for the maintenance of the Madrid-Seville high-speed lines and the La Sagra-Toledo and Cordoba-Malaga branch lines. The contract includes preventive and corrective maintenance work to resolve specific incidents at various line traffic control facilities, interlocking systems, train protection systems and associated elements. Thales will carry out the work over a 36 month period between 2016 and 2019.

The Timken Co. has appointed Andreas Roellgen and Brian Ruel to the positions of vice president of sales. Ruel will lead the company's selling team across the Americas, while Roellgen will oversee the Timken sales organization for the rest of the world. In addition, the company named Michael Connors vice president of global marketing. Connors joined Timken in 1983 as a manufacturing engineer and later held management positions in manufacturing, product management, marketing and business development. Roellgen joined the company in 1997 as a business development manager in Timken's European headquarters in Colmar, France. Ruel joined the company in 1984 as a sales engineer, later served in automotive business leadership roles.

VeRail Technologies Inc. has announced that Tom Mack assumed the additional role of president. Previously, he was focused on developing VeRail's technology and patents, but his role has expanded to business development. He now leads major partnership relationships and engages with senior emissions regulators in California and Texas. Mack takes over from United Kingdom-based Nigel Horsley, who is now vice president and chief communication officer.