Rail supplier news from Ansaldo, MERMEC, Holland and L.B. Foster (May 4)

The Ansaldo Honolulu Joint Venture on Monday presented Honolulu's first new passenger train to the city and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART). The venture comprises Hitachi Group Cos., Ansaldo STS and Hitachi Rail Italy. The four-car driverless train was delivered on time, officials said in a joint press release. Hitachi Rail Italy is responsible for the design, manufacturing and testing of 20 trains for the project, while Ansaldo is tasked with the design, manufacturing, installation and testing of signaling and other systems. Ansaldo also is responsible for the first 12 years of operations and maintenance of Honolulu's rail system.

Paris public transportation operator RATP Group has tapped MERMEC to supply a multifunction diesel-electric measuring car. The vehicle will feature an advanced high-speed ultrasonic flaw detection system to minimize commercial service disruption. This system is able to reveal inner defects along rail lines while operating at speeds up to 37 mph, MERMEC officials said in a press release. The unit is aimed at improving the safety, cost-effectiveness and availability of railway and metro lines.

Holland LP received TTX Co.'s Excellent Supplier designation for 2015 based on its overall supplier evaluation committee score. This marks Holland's 20th time to be recognized, with 17 of those years being consecutive, company officials said in a press release. The evaluation process involves reviewing five categories of performance: quality, cost, delivery, service and financial/administration.

L.B. Foster Co. reported a first-quarter 2016 net loss of $2.8 million compared with net income of $4.3 million for the period last year. The company's revenue in Q1 2016 fell 8.4 percent to $126.3 million, versus $137.9 million last year. Sales for L.B. Foster's rail products and services segment fell 17.2 percent, while construction segment sales declined 7 percent. The first quarter is traditionally the company's weakest quarter, said President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Bauer, who noted there was reduced spending in the North American freight-rail market.