Rail supplier news from Greenbrier, Tai Ginsberg, Pacific West and RELAM (Feb. 3)

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. yesterday announced new orders totaling 2,900 units valued at $345 million received during December 2021 and January 2022, the first two months of its second fiscal quarter that began on Dec. 1, 2021. The new rail-car orders reflect a broad range of rail-car types — including gondolas, tank cars, covered hoppers and automobile-carrying units — indicative of broader industry trends that reveal a resurgent North American freight rail-car market, company officials said in a press release. In its first fiscal quarter ending Nov. 30, 2021, Greenbrier reported orders for 6,300 new units valued at $685 million. These orders increased its backlog to 28,000 units valued at $3 billion.

Tai Ginsberg & Associates LLC (TG&A) has merged with Pike Associates LLC. The combined firm, which will operate under the TG&A name, will focus on serving the government relations and policy needs of its joint clients. Jeffrey Pike and Jennifer Place of Pike Associates will join as chairman and director of the combined firm, respectively. Pike Associates has largely focused on domestic and international fisheries, maritime transportation, environment, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and natural resources management.

Pacific West LLC, a niche rail and industrial services business serving the western United States, named Peter Touesnard CEO. Most recently, Touesnard served as chief commercial officer of OmniTRAX Inc. Prior to that, he served in top operating and sales roles at former short-line holding company RailAmerica Inc.

RELAM Inc., a lessor of maintenance-of-way (MOW) railroad equipment in North America, has announced a new MOW equipment rental location near Sacramento, California. The new location allows RELAM to better serve its customers in the western United States and British Columbia, Canada, company officials said in a press release.