Rail supplier news from First Transit, FreightCar America, The Andersons and GE (March 1)

First Transit has received the International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification for its operation and maintenance of the Denton County Transportation Authority's A-train commuter-rail system. The certification provides guidance and tools for companies and organizations looking to "ensure their products and services consistently meet customers' requirements," according to a First Transit press release. To receive the ISO designation, the company was required to pass an independent evaluation of its operations and maintenance practices. First Transit's work with the A-Train marked the company's first rail operation in North America.

FreightCar America Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2016 net income of $74,000, or 1 cent per diluted share, compared with $11.7 million, or 94 cents per diluted share, during the same period in 2015. The company posted revenue of $135.5 million for the quarter versus $203.3 million in the previous year's fourth quarter. In 2016, the rail industry went through a second year of reduced carloadings and a large oversupply of rail cars, which contributed to a 45 percent reduction in deliveries in the fourth quarter, said FreightCar America President and Chief Executive Officer Joe McNeely in a press release. In Q4, the company delivered 1,364 rail cars, including 1,137 new units and 227 rebuilt units. For the same quarter in 2015, FreightCar America delivered 2,464 cars.

The Rail Group of The Andersons Inc. has named Sean Hankinson vice president, fleet operations. During his more than 25 years in the rail industry, Hankinson has held positions in engineering, operations management and sales management. He also has an extensive background overseeing the design, procurement and manufacturing of a wide variety of new rail cars, as well as modification and rebuild programs. He most recently served as VP of manufacturing for FreightCar America. Hankinson will assume the duties of Randy Thomure, who will retire later this year.

GE Transportation has appointed Pascal Schweitzer vice president of global services. He joined GE in 2015 after the company acquired Alstom's power and grid businesses. Schweitzer served as general manager for GE Power Services in Europe. Before joining GE, he spent eight years at Alstom, where he held several leadership positions.