Rail supplier news from Miner, Wavetronix, dFuzion, HNTB and Network Rail Consulting (May 23)

Miner Enterprises has acquired DFW Grating, a manufacturer of metal grating products. The acquisition will help expand Miner's existing product line, which includes draft gears, outlet gates, side bearings, brake beams, hatch covers and other rail-car components, Miner officials said in a press release. Financial terms were not disclosed. DFW Grating manufactures bar grating, diamond safety grating and round-hole safety grating. Those products have a range of applications, including rail-car running boards, intermodal platforms, end platforms and brake steps.

Wavetronix has agreed to acquire Island Radar Co. LLC, a developer of radar-based systems used to detect vehicles and trains in rail applications. Under the agreement, Island Radar products and systems will be marketed under the Island Radar brand through Wavetronix Rail, a newly formed division. When finalized, the acquisition will enable the new division to leverage the leadership and strengths of both companies, Wavetronix officials said in a press release. Financial terms of the agreement weren't disclosed.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has chosen dFuzion Inc.'s rMetrix® ultraportable ride performance assessment system to monitor ride quality along its rail lines. The technology incorporates GPS and accelerometer sensors to assess ride quality, comfort and safety, dFuzion officials said in a press release. Using rMetrix, inspectors can monitor, collect and analyze geo-spatially correlated ride quality data and make safety and maintenance recommendations in real time.

HNTB Corp. has appointed Kimberly Slaughter senior vice president. Based in Chicago, she serves as the firm's transit/rail market sector leader — a position she started earlier this year. The promotion recognizes Slaughter for delivering solutions to clients, serving in industry leadership rolls and advancing transit through leadership, HNTB officials said in a press release. Slaughter has more than 30 years of experience in transportation and public transit.

Bernie McCall has joined Network Rail Consulting as associate director for mechanical, rolling stock and operations. He has 35 years of rail experience and has worked with Class Is, short lines, commuter railroads and light-rail systems. McCall's maintenance background has helped forge more efficient methodologies at a number of organizations, Network Rail Consulting officials said in a press release.