Rail supplier news from New York Air Brake, Watermill Group, L. Keeley, Wissehr, and WSP USA (Aug. 21)

New York Air Brake LLC has announced plans to move its peripheral product assembly in Watertown, New York, to Salisbury, North Carolina. The shift consolidates less complex assemblies into the North Carolina manufacturing hub, company officials said in a press release. The Watertown facility will remain the sole location for the design, testing and manufacture of freight-car brakes. Retaining the more complex assemblies enables New York Air Brake to create a "high-tech manufacturing hub," company officials said. The transition is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter and conclude in first-quarter 2018. The shift will affect 40 of the 425 workers at the Watertown plant.

The Watermill Group has acquired Andaray Holdings Ltd. and its Cooper & Turner subsidiary, which is a United Kingdom-based global manufacturer and distributor of large-diameter industrial fastener systems. Cooper & Turner will continue offering its existing product lines from its manufacturing sites and distribution centers. The company also will pursue new product, service and market opportunities around the world, Watermill Group officials said in a press release. Financial details of the transaction weren't disclosed.

L. Keeley Construction and Wissehr Electrical Contractors have been awarded contracts for Metro Transit-St. Louis' new Cortex Metrolink Station. L. Keeley will perform work related to electrical, plumbing and facilities, while Wissehr Electrical will be responsible for signal systems work. Crews currently are performing sewer work and preliminary electrical work on the site, including directional boring and conduit installation, Metro Transit officials said in a press release. The agency is in the process of selecting two additional contractors for other aspects of the station project, including track work and communications. HNTB Corp. led the project design team, which included KAI, Access Engineering and others. Metro Transit broke ground on the new station in June.

WSP USA has named Charlie Guess construction services manager for the firm's West region. Guess will be based in the firm's Orange, California, office and will oversee the delivery of construction  management and engineering and inspection services in Washington, Oregon, Nevada and California. He has more than 30 years of experience in engineering, construction and design-build management. Guess has directed programming and construction for light-rail and high-speed rail projects, rail connections to ports, municipal treatment facilities and industrial process facilities.