Rail supplier news from AITX, Leclanche, APTIM, HDR, TransSystems and STV (July 22)

American Railcar Industries (ARI) has rebranded as American Industrial Transport Inc. (AITX). “The new name conveys a respect to its longstanding heritage, while showing an ongoing commitment in shaping the modern rail car leasing and repair business,” AITX officials said in a press release. AITX's rail-car repair business now is named AITX Railcar Services LLC in the United States and AITX Railcar Services of Canada Inc. in Canada. The Greenbrier Cos. acquired ARI’s car manufacturing division from ITE Management LP in July 2019.

Leclanche SA earned an International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) Group certification for the design manufacturing and maintenance of its hybrid and electric locomotive power system drive units and auxiliary systems. The IRIS standard enables railway component suppliers to meet globally recognized levels of quality for their components.

APTIM Corp. hired Andrew Bata as a transportation sector technical adviser. Previously, Bata has served Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) chief strategic technology planner and director of service planning, and assistant director of planning for MTA’s Metro-North Railroad.

HDR hired Ron Birkelbach to lead the firm’s advance train control systems practice. He will collaborate with clients to support the development and management of transit and rail systems projects. Birkelbach has more than 30 years of experience in transportation signaling and systems, facilities integration and project management. 

TranSystems Corp. named Camilo Rocha west region senior vice president. He will oversee the sales and operations of the firm’s five California offices. Rocha has more than 30 years of experience in various disciplines of civil engineering.

STV hired Anthony Kreis as senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions. In this role, Kreis will focus on potential acquisition opportunities and perform due diligence, valuations and transaction negotiations. He also will establish integration and post-acquisition obligations. Kreis has more than 20 years of experience leading in all facets of corporate development, STV officials said in a press release.