Rail supplier news from United Rail, Vertex, Lochner and WSP USA (July 12)

United Rail Inc. has reached an agreement to represent and support Ruf Telematik AG's products and services in the North American passenger-rail market. As part of the pact, United Rail will provide business development, sales and marketing, engineering, Buy America support and after-sales services for Ruf Telematik's offerings in North America. The two companies plan to introduce various railroad systems and products, including the VisiWeb passenger information system.

Vertex Railcar Corp. has been officially certified to manufacture and supply tank cars to the North American market, the company announced earlier this week. The company on July 6 received the Association of American Railroads' M-1002 initial certification.

Transportation engineering firm Lochner has appointed Jeanne Cormier chief executive officer following Jim Bishop's retirement. Since May 2016, Cormier has served as the company's chief operating officer. She joined Lochner's Connecticut construction engineering and inspection practice nearly three decades ago. Cormier also has served the firm as director of strategic growth and a board member.

WSP USA named John Fisher Northern California district manager. In the role, he'll be responsible for oversight of the firm's operations in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento. In addition, Fisher will continue to serve as San Francisco area manager, directly overseeing the operations of WSP's transportation and infrastructure office in San Francisco. He has 20 years of public policy, legislative, project management, and community and inter-governmental relations experience at the local, state and federal levels. Fisher previously spent more than four years as manager of government and community relations for Bay Area Rapid Transit.