Rail supplier news from Koppers, Osmose, Siemens, GTI and Refrigerated Transport (Aug. 18)

Koppers Inc. has completed the acquisition of the wood preservation and railroad services businesses of Osmose Holdings Inc. "Acquiring the two Osmose businesses is an important step in our long-term growth strategy for Koppers. The businesses fit well within our core competencies, expand both our chemicals offering and our existing railroad and utilities products and services platform, and provide additional growth opportunities as we gain leading market positions in strategic end-markets around the world," said Koppers President and Chief Executive Officer Walt Turner in a press release.

Siemens Rail Automation announced last week it will combine and expand its manufacturing and engineering operations in and near Pittsburgh to help meet growing demand for its rail products. The expansion will support positive train control projects, including one to upgrade train control systems for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City. The company plans to add 68 jobs in engineering and 61 jobs in manufacturing at its new location outside of downtown Pittsburgh in Munhall, Pa. The new plant will combine Siemens East Pittsburgh plant's 35 employees and its 18th Street location in Pittsburgh that employs 23 engineers.

Globe Tracker International (GTI) has partnered with Refrigerated Transport Electronics, a developer and manufacturer of monitoring products for the intermodal refrigerated container industry, to jointly offer a solution designed to wirelessly monitor and remotely manage refrigerated containers for global intermodal movements.