Rail supplier news from GREX, PFL, Industry-Railway Suppliers, Hub Group, and in memoriam: Robert Grandy (Nov. 8)

Georgetown Rail Equipment Co. (GREX) last week was named an R&D 100 Awards winner for its Aurora Xi internal tie inspection technology, an X-ray backscatter system that scans wood ties to detect problems below the surface. The company was the only winner from the rail industry. The R&D 100 Awards recognize excellence in research, design and innovation. An independent panel of 50 judges from various industries select the finalists each year.

PFL Petroleum Services Ltd. and its rail division have launched an exclusive business development relationship with Tracy Rail Services, which provides mobile rail-car cleaning. PFL's rail team will work with shippers' fleet managers to learn the number and types of rail cars, timing priorities and geographic diversity. Then, the company will help develop a cleaning program to return the cars to service or to their lessor. The program also will prepare cars for a change of service if needed.

Industry-Railway Suppliers Inc. this year is marking its 50th anniversary. The company was founded in 1966 to serve the needs of railroads, railroad maintenance facilities, short lines and railroad contractors in the eastern United States. In 1978, Industry-Railway Suppliers opened an office and warehouse in Bensenville, Ill.; in 1988, the company was acquired by Unity Railway Supply Co. Inc. This year, the company relocated into a larger building in Elmhurst, Ill., to prepare for future growth.

Hub Group Inc. has raised nearly $70,000 in the first year of its #CauseContainer charity campaign. As part of the campaign, the company commissioned the custom painting of 53-foot intermodal containers to serve as "mobile billboard" for nonprofit organizations. People can participate in the campaign by taking a photo of one of these containers and uploading it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the words #CauseContainer. For every original photo, Hub Group donates $100 to the corresponding charity; each time the original photo is shared, the company donates an additional $1, up to $20,000 per organization.

Former Unity Railway Supply Co. Inc. President Robert Grandy died Oct. 18. He was 82. He worked in the railway supply industry for more than 50 years and played a leading role in the growth and success of the Railway Supply Group of companies, which includes Unity, Industry-Railway Suppliers, and Ireco LLC. Grandy is survived by his wife Marilyn and four children.