Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Cubic, Railway Equipment, Morrison Metalweld and Whitmore (Jan. 17)

Wabtec Corp. announced an order from BHP Western Australia Iron Ore for two FLXdrive battery locomotives. The deal builds momentum in the market for the world’s first 100%, battery-powered locomotive and supports the Australia-based natural resource company’s plan to decarbonize its rail network, Wabtec officials said in a press release. BHP will receive the newest version of the FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives in 2023 with an energy capacity of 7 megawatt hours. Based on the topography of the route and BHP’s rail operations, the FLXdrive is anticipated to reduce the company’s fuel costs and emissions in percentage by double digits per train.

Cubic Corp.’s Cubic Transportation Systems business division was awarded a second contract from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to continue providing and updating Port Authority Trans-Hudson’s next-generation fare payment system. The investment will bring the next generation of contactless fare payment and collection technology, allowing riders to “tap and go” with their mobile devices and credit/debit cards, Cubic officials said in a press release.

Railway Equipment Co. (RECO) has promoted Matt Bolte from vice president of sales to executive vice president and chief operating officer. He now will oversee all areas of the company’s operations, including sales and marketing, engineering, production and administration. Bolte joined RECO in April 2021 as a strategic sales account manager. He previously served Siemens Mobility as an account manager and CSX account manager, and held similar positions at R. J. Corman Signaling LLC and Invensys Rail.

Morrison Metalweld Process Corp. has appointed Kathleen Bernat as vice president. She joined the company in 1996. Since then, her work has “played a key role” in the company’s success, said Morrison Metalweld President and CEO Robin Eisenbrei in a press release.

Whitmore Manufacturing LLC has hired Chad Spretz as vice president of sales. Spretz will report to Whitmore President Mark Bass and will lead the sales function globally for the Whitmore brands. Spretz has 18 years of experience in industrial sales and 13 years in sales management. Most recently, he was VP of business development and partnerships for Streamline Polymers, a specialty chemical company.