Rail supplier news from Pandrol, Thales, Bombardier, STV, DSC and Siemens (April 5)

Pandrol appointed Eran Gartner to a newly created chief executive officer position as part of a reorganization of the company’s senior leadership. Gartner also will join the executive committee of Delachaux Group, Pandrol's parent company. Gartner has more than 20 years of  international rail engineering leadership experience, according to a Pandrol press release. He most recently was CEO of Megalim Solar Power Ltd. Gartner previously served stints as group senior vice president of strategy for Alstom and president of the systems division for Bombardier Transportation.

Thales completed its acquisition of Gemalto for $5.6 billion. Gemalto will form Thale’s digital identity and security division, according to a Thales press release. The acquisition will expand Thales' operations to 800,000 employees in Latin America, Asia, India and North America.

Bombardier signed a $255 million contract with the government of Queensland, Australia, to upgrade the new generation rolling stock trains being introduced to the South-East Queensland rail network. The government’s revised design calls for adding a toilet module to each six-car train and upgrading the module design to provide improved access for passengers with limited mobility, according to a Bombardier press release. The contract includes design, delivery and ongoing maintenance over the remaining term of the partnership.

STV promoted civil engineer and project manager Tertulien Augustin to vice president. A 30-year industry veteran, Augustin joined STV in 2017, according to a company press release. He has worked for major engineering and consulting firms and, earlier in his career, served as an assistant commissioner and chief traffic officer for the New York City Department of Transportation. In a separate announcement, STV said it hired William Smith as a senior industrial engineer and project manager for its transportation and infrastructure vehicle maintenance group. He will be responsible for developing efficient workspace for transit industry maintenance facilities. Prior to joining the firm, Smith designed urban and regional transit facilities, as well as freight railroad shops and yards. 

DSC Logistics has promoted Ken Heller to chief transportation officer. Heller will be responsible for broadening transportation management capabilities to include international freight forwarding, cross-border transportation, private fleet services and drayage, according to a DSC press release. He will also lead the development of specialized transportation services for food, consumer packaged goods and retail customers.

Siemens Mobility announced Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn ordered 23 Desiro HC regional trains for service on the Elbe-Spree network in Germany for 300 million euro. Delivery of the 21 six-car and two four-car trains is scheduled to begin in summer 2022, according to a press release. The trains will be built at the Siemens plant in Krefeld, Germany.