Rail supplier news from FreightCar America, Robel, Icomera, AIS, MERMEC and Transdev (Sept. 27)

FreightCar America Inc. formed a joint venture with Fabricaciones y Servicios de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Fasemex) to manufacture rail cars. FreightCar America is building a new manufacturing factory in Castanos, Mexico, which is expected to start producing rail cars in mid-2020, company officials said in a press release. The joint venture will be consolidated and controlled by FreightCar America, and FreightCar America and Fasemex will evenly share profits and losses. FreightCar America is committing $25 million in assets and cash to the joint venture over the next several years.

Robel Holding GmbH has established the Robel North America Corp. subsidiary to spearhead the sale of hand-guide machines in the United States and Canada. Christopher Drew will lead the company headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, Robel officials said in a press release.

Icomera is relocating operations from Rockville to larger facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. The office move is part of Icomera’s increased investment in the District of Columbia region and a substantially expanded U.S. team, company officials said in a press release. Icomera provides mobile internet connectivity and application platforms for trains and trams.

Atlantic Intermodal Services (AIS) has purchased a facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to accommodate expanding operations. The facility is close to its current leased office space and will be equal distance from the North Charleston and Wando ports, AIS officials said in a press release. The company will be fully operational in the new facility in January 2020.

MERMEC Inc. appointed Alan Calegari director and board chairman. Calegari will provide strategic support to company President Gerry Coyne, MERMEC officials said in a press release. Previously, Calegari was director of building systems and operations and vice president of operations for Johnson Controls Automotive Systems in Europe; president and chief executive officer of the Siemens security division; president and CEO of Dedicated Micros, Inc; and president and CEO of Union Switch & Signal.

Transdev North America hired Bill Spraul as regional vice president for the southeast, where he will oversee operations and contribute to the company's growth strategy, Transdev officials said in a press release. Previously, Spraual was Transdev's chief executive overseeing the TRANSPO municipal bus system, chief operating officer of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s transit services division and director of transit operations for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.