Rail supplier news from Wabtec, Protran, Alstom, Michael Baker and RSI (June 10)

Wabtec Corp. has completed its previously announced acquisition of rail and industrial equipment manufacturer Fandstan Electric Group Ltd. for $220 million. Based in London, Fandstan Electric has annual sales of about $245 million. The company manufactures and installs electrical current and data collection products for a variety of markets, including rail and tram transportation, industrial and energy.

Protran Safety Technology has secured the first major contract to provide its "Intrusion Warning" technology. Protran will provide 100 systems to two major transit agencies in California. The system can detect intruders or other emergency events and send a warning to the control center in real time.

Alstom recently introduced the Coradia Liner V200, its latest mainline train, at the European Mobility Exhibition for Public Transport at the Parc des Expositions in Paris. The Coradia Liner is a concentration of the technology created over 30 years of experience in high-speed rail, according to a company press release.

Joseph Bongiovi has joined Michael Baker International as executive vice president and chief human resources officer. Most recently, Bongiovi served the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., as a teaching and research fellow, and assistant director and adviser for the university's management and society major degree program. His previous leadership positions include VP of global human resources at Gilbarco Veeder-Root; managing director of human resources at Marsh Americas; VP of human resources for RP Sherer Americas; and VP of human resources for Citibank.

The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) recently submitted a filing in support of the Section 130 grade crossing improvement program in response to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) request for comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding proposed changes to Highway Safety Improvement Program regulations within the federal MAP-21 law. In their comments, RSI officials noted that since 1973, Congress has provided dedicated funding to states for implementing safety improvement projects at grade crossings through the Section 130 program. The MAP-21 legislation continues funding for the Section 130 program through fiscal-year 2014.