Rail supplier news from Kelso, SISCOG, Bombardier and Sasser Family Holdings (Jan. 19)

Kelso Technologies Inc. has been granted a U.S. patent for its second dual pressure relief valve. The design of the new valve is based on specialized mechanical engineering innovations that provide safety benefits, Kelso officials said in a press release. During an accident involving a fire, the valve will significantly lower its operating pressure rating to a level that will keep the valve open in order to evacuate the tank car in less than 100 minutes, as required by the Association of American Railroads' recommendations.

VIA Rail Canada Inc. has selected SISCOG's ONTIME and FLEET optimization technologies, which can generate timetables and plan the use of rolling stock. These features take into account the forecasted demand, network and vehicle availability of VIA Rail's own strategic goals, SISCOG officials said in a press release. Through the software, VIA Rail will have permanent access to several key performance indicators, such as fuel consumption. The system will be fully operational by the summer.

Bombardier Inc. appointed Patrick Ghoche vice president of investor relations. Ghoche has spent nine years in investment banking at CIBC World Markets and at RBC Capital Markets. Prior to joining Bombardier, he was managing director of corporate finance at KPMG, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and raising capital within consumer and industrial markets.

Sasser Family Holdings Inc. has added Toby Luther as an independent director on the company's board. Luther currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Lone Rock Resources, a timber company in Roseburg, Ore. He joined the company in 2001 and was named CEO in 2009, after holding positions as chief operating officer, vice president of finance and chief financial officer.