Rail supplier news from Progress Rail, IMC, PowerRail, Cubic and NRC (Jan. 4)

Progress Rail on Tuesday closed on its acquisition of ECM S.p.A., an international provider of rail signal solutions and technologies. Based in Italy, ECM will join Progress Rail's existing signal division. ECM's investment in research and development in recent years makes it an "attractive complement" to Progress Rail's current signal portfolio, Progress Rail officials said in a press release. ECM's products include power supplies, LED signal lights, axle counters and work site protection. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

IMC Cos. has acquired the drayage and depot operations of H&M Terminal Transport, which now will operate under the name H&M Intermodal Services. The acquired firm operates at six locations and employs 140 drivers. The acquisition is aimed at boosting IMC's presence in the northeastern United States, company officials said in a press release. Financial terms for the acquisition were not disclosed. IMC now claims more than 2,100 U.S. employees.

PowerRail Inc. has formed a strategic partnership with Interstate-McBee that is designed to boost the quality and reach of customer service, according to a PowerRail press release. The company also announced  its locomotive services, East Coast mobile maintenance arm and West Coast rail power services division will expand field service availability.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has awarded a contract to Cubic Transportation Systems to deliver an integrated mobile app as part of the agency's TAP regional contactless fare system. TAP links 24 transit agencies across the Los Angeles region, and the mobile app will offer riders a range of tools to improve their daily commute, Cubic officials said in a press release. The app will enable passengers to order a "virtual TAP card" to pay fare with their smartphones. Riders also will be able to check their TAP account balance and manage their accounts.

Stella-Jones Corp. Vice President of Marketing George Caric has been elected to the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association's (NRC) board. He began his rail career as a sales manager in Koppers Inc. in 1985. In addition, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. Vice President and General Manager Dave Landreth was elected to NRC's board. Landreth has four decades of rail industry experience, and he has held a leadership role since being promoted from laborer to foreman in 1980. Meanwhile, NRC announced that Loram Maintenance of Way Inc. Director Marc Hackett and Herzog Contracting Corp. Senior Vice President Scott Norman were re-elected to the board. Additionally, Railroad Controls Ltd.'s Mike Choat was named chair, while Herzog's Jim Hansen was elected vice chair. Danella's Steve Bolte was tapped as secretary-treasurer.