Rail supplier news from CCI Thermal, Ansaldo, Bourque, OPW and SYSTRA (Jan. 13)

[Editor's note: This post was updated on Jan. 16 at 12:50 p.m. EST.]

CCI Thermal Technologies Inc. has acquired Hovey Industries Inc.'s track and switch heating and snow removal business. As part of the acquisition plan, manufacturing has moved to CCI Thermal's facility in Edmonton, Alberta. Hovey Industries' "Hellfire" gas-fired hot air blowers and "Inferno" gas blowers now will be offered under the Fastrax® brand with CCI Thermal's SwitchBlade® flat electric switch heater.

Ansaldo STS has signed a contract to provide technology for signaling systems and power supply and auxiliary systems for a high-speed rail line between Milan and Genoa, Italy. The company also will supply the technology necessary for monitoring tunnel safety. The value of the work is estimated at $185.4 million, according to an Ansaldo press release.

Bourque Logistics has announced a partnership with eRAIL COMMERCE®, a rail-car broker and storage services provider. Bourque Logistics now provides a link on its login page to the eRAIL COMMERCE site, where customers can search rail cars for their specific needs. The partnership provides Bourque Logistics customers with an "extensive database" of new and used rail cars for sale or lease, company officials said in a press release.

OPW this year will mark its 125th anniversary. The company was founded as the Ohio Pattern Works & Foundry Co. in Cincinnati and was incorporated in 1892. OPW began operations during the industrial revolution creating wood and metal patterns for use in manufacturing, company officials said in a press release. The company now focuses on fluid-handling equipment.

SYSTRA has hired Stanley Feinsod to support business development and manage West Coast projects. He'll also develop a core group of professionals in the company's San Francisco Bay Area office. Feinsod previously served for more than 15 years as western regional manager for SYSTRA. Before returning to the company for his new position, he completed stints at RATP Dev. and McDonald Transit Associates Inc.