Rail supplier news from Whitmore, Alstom, Bombardier, Urban Engineers, Amsted Rail, Sam Schwartz and Nisus (Feb. 7)

Whitmore Manufacturing Co. has acquired Fluid Defense Systems L.L.C., a supplier of fully integrated lubricant storage and handling solutions. Fluid Defense has grown to become the "recognized standard" in lubricant handling and contamination control for industries ranging from food and beverage production to industrial manufacturing, power generation and mining, according to a Whitmore press release.

Alstom, in consortium with Isolux Corsán, obtained a contract from Spanish railway infrastructure authority Adif for the design, construction and maintenance of the traction substation and catenary system for a new high-speed line linking La Robla (Leon) with Pola de Tena (Asturias). The line includes Pajares Tunnel, the second-longest tunnel in Spain. The contract is valued at about $38 million, with Alstom's share at 50 percent. The project is expected to be completed in 2015.

Bombardier Transportation has been notified by Transport for London (TfL) and The Department for Transport of their intention to award the company a contract to deliver rolling stock and a new depot for Crossrail. The intended contract between TfL and Bombardier covers the supply, delivery and maintenance of 65 new trains and a depot at Old Oak Common. The contract award is subject to a 10-day standstill period, according to a Bombardier press release.

U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center has selected Urban Engineers to provide monitoring and technical assistance to the Federal Railroad Administration. Under the five-year contract, Urban's work may include monitoring, technical assistance, compliance, program management, deliverable review and training. The maximum amount of work issued could total $70 million.

Amsted Rail has promoted Michael Watts to assistant vice president of sales, North America.

Jim Brown has joined Sam Schwartz Engineering as a principal and director of environmental planning. He will lead the environmental planning practice, which includes preparation of environmental impact statements and environmental assessment statements. Brown has 30 years of experience in the environmental field, with expertise in the preparation of environmental planning studies for major land use development, transportation and infrastructure projects.

Ken Laughlin, formerly with Pacific Wood Preserving Cos., has joined Nisus Corp., where he will support sales of QNAP® copper naphthenate and Cellutreat® DOT borate to the pressure-treatment market. He will work with end-users as well as pressure treatment companies to incorporate the treatments into their regimes. Laughlin began as Pacific Wood’s general manager in charge of Arizona and Texas in 1998; was promoted to executive vice president of sales and operation in March 2013; and became president of West Coast Wood Preserving in November 2013.