Rail supplier news from Greenbrier, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Alstom and Hanson (July 6)

For its third quarter ended May 31, Greenbrier Cos. Inc. reported net earnings of $35.4 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, compared with $44.9 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, during the company's second quarter. Revenue for the third quarter came in at $612.9 million, reflecting an 8.4 percent decrease compared with the previous quarter. The decrease was due primarily to a lower volume of sales from the acquired rail-car portfolio and lower wheel volumes, Greenbrier officials said in a press release. As of May 31, the company's new rail-car backlog stood at 31,200 units with an estimated value of $3.6 billion, compared with a backlog of 34,100 units valued at $4 billion at the end of February. Also during the third quarter, Greenbrier received diversified orders for 1,700 new rail cars valued at $150 million. The company plans to grow its earnings base in select international markets where long-term demand for rail cars is strong, said Greenbrier Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William Furman, noting that global markets will be "a key driver of future growth."

WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff has appointed Rik Lor senior engineering manager in the firm's transit and rail technical excellence center, where he will manage rail project delivery. Lor, who will be based in San Francisco, has experience in public transportation project delivery, including oversight of budget, procurement, contracts, design and construction, as well as coordination with local and federal governmental agencies. Lor's previous experience includes a stint as deputy project manager at the Regional Transportation District of Denver, where he managed the agency's Eagle P3 and North Metro Rail projects.

Alstom has appointed Jean-Francois Beaudoin senior vice president of its Asia Pacific region and named him to Alstom's executive committee. Beaudoin will lead the region covering India, Australia, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines. The region represents one of the fastest growing rail transportation markets in the globe, Alstom officials said in a press release. Beaudoin previously served as managing director of the firm's Asia-Pacific rolling stock business.

Nick Moore has joined Hanson Professional Services Inc. as a civil designer. He previously was an intern at the company's headquarters in Springfield, Ill., through the Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program. The internship program was implemented by the firm, the city of Springfield and Sangamon County, Ill., to foster interest in careers involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics by providing mentoring, education and job training opportunities. In his new role, Moore will provide design and drafting services for preliminary and design phases of a variety of projects, Hanson officials said in a press release.