Rail supplier news from ARINC, Greenbrier, Cubic, Koppers, Hanson, J.B. Hunt and InnoTrans (Aug. 13)

Rockwell Collins Inc. has agreed to acquire ARINC Inc. for $1.4 billion. Owned by The Carlyle Group, ARINC provides communications and information processing solutions for the commercial aviation, rail, industrial security and public safety industries. The transaction "accelerates our strategy to develop comprehensive information management solutions by building on our existing information-enabled products and systems and ARINC's ground-based networks and services to further expand our opportunities beyond the aircraft," said Rockwell Collins Chief Executive Officer and President Kelly Ortberg in a press release.

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. has signed a multi-year maintenance supply agreement to provide CIT Rail with dedicated access to repair capacity at its rail-car repair and parts shop in Atchison, Kan. The pact includes opportunities to expand work to additional repair facilities in Greenbrier's nationwide network, according to a press release. Greenbrier expects the repair work performed under the agreement to enhance revenue and gross margins for its wheels, repair and parts segment, starting in fiscal-year 2014.

Cubic Transportation Systems has obtained a $54.5 million six-year extension to its system support services contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA). The extension covers the repair and maintenance of LACMTA's rail fare-collection equipment, TAP validators for regional bus operators, and back office systems that process the TAP smart card data for the agency's rail and bus system and 10 regional operators.

Koppers Holdings Inc. reported second-quarter net income of $14.4 million, or 69 cents per share, down from $20.4 million, or 99 cents per share, for the same quarter a year ago. Net sales declined to $370.9 million from $411.3 million. Sales for railroad and utility products and services rose 4 percent, or $6 million, year over year. The company — which supplies wood ties — attributed the decrease in net income to lower profitability from sales in carbon materials and chemicals.

Hanson Professional Services Inc. has named Jeff Bowen vice president to lead the firm's Florida transportation and infrastructure business efforts. He will focus on expanding Hanson's involvement in railroad and transportation projects in Florida. Bowen has experience in planning and designing major transportation systems and supporting state transportation policy development. Bowen most recently was a vice president at Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has been named a top 10 third-party logistics provider as part of Inbound Logistics' Top 100 3PL Excellence Awards. The magazine's editors selected this year's Top 100 winners from a pool of more than 300 companies.

InnoTrans 2014, to be held Sept. 23 -26 in Berlin, Germany, will feature travel catering and comfort services providers and manufacturers. The trade show will offer companies an opportunity to increase business with international transport companies in the rail market and with rail vehicle manufacturers, InnoTrans officials said in a press release.