Rail supplier news from Greenbrier, Alstom, Bombardier and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff (Oct. 17)

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. announced that Executive Vice President of Commercial and Leasing Mark Rittenbaum at December's end will assume the duties of James Sharp, who will retire as executive vice president and president of Greenbrier Leasing Corp. Sharp will remain in an advisory role through 2016 and beyond to assist with the transition and special projects. The organizational changes will help further integrate Greenbrier's leasing and management services with its commercial activities, company officials said in a press release. Meanwhile, Greenbrier and Astra Rail Management GmbH have announced plans to form a new company aimed at creating an end-to-end Europe-based freight rail-car manufacturing, engineering and repair business. Known as Greenbrier-Astra Rail, the new company will offer manufacturing capabilities and services in Europe with greater scale and efficiency for current customers, Greenbrier officials said. Greenbrier will retain a 75 percent interest in the company.

Alstom has added 10 new members to its strategic partnership program with key suppliers. They include Knorr Bremse, Faively, Schneider Electric and Nexans. The program, known as Alstom Alliance, is aimed at creating partnership with strategic suppliers to share innovations and mutualize the development of key components, Alstom officials said in a press release. There now are 34 members in the program; by first-quarter 2017, Alstom aims to increase the number to 40.

Bombardier Transportation and its consortium partner Vossloh Kiepe won a contract to supply 40 Flexity low-floor trams to the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. The contract is valued at $156 million, with Bombardier's share valued at $109 million. The contract also includes an option for up to 60 additional trams.

Drew Galloway has been appointed vice president and transit and rail planning director at WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. Based in the firm's Newark, N.J. office, Galoway will provide guidance and oversight on major projects and initiatives involving rail systems, railroads and transit agencies. He has more than 30 years of experience in all phases and aspects of rail planning, analysis and operations, including master plans, service development plans, terminal plans and capital programs. He previously served as deputy chief of planning for Amtrak.