Rail supplier updates from Wabtec, Jacobs, Distribution International and Alstom (Dec. 8)

Wabtec Corp. has acquired Relay Monitoring Systems PTY Ltd. (RMS), a manufacturer of electrical protection and control products with $15 million in annual sales. Wabtec President and Chief Executive Officer Raymond Betler described RMS as an "excellent strategic fit" with his company's existing Mors Smitt business. The companies will be able to offer complementary products and geographic presence, along with better growth opportunities, Betler said. Wabtec officials did not disclose financial terms of the acquisition in a press release.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has completed its acquisition of J.L. Patterson & Associates, a consulting and professional services engineering firm specializing in rail planning, environmental permitting, and design and construction management. Terms were undisclosed. The acquisition is aimed at enhancing Jacobs' overall rail services capability, positioning the company in the top tier of rail professional service providers in North America, according to a Jacobs Engineering press release.

Distribution International Inc. announced that it has acquired E.J. Bartells, a supplier of mechanical and industrial insulation, fabrication, refractory and HVAC products throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western states. With the acquisition, Distribution International has expanded its North American, coast-to-coast footprint into Alaska, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington state with the addition of an insulation distributor in the Pacific Northwest, said CEO Celeste Mastin. Financial details of the acquisition were undisclosed.

Alstom has obtained a $16.32 million contract from Egypt's National Authority for Tunnels to equip the new maintenance depot of the metro line 1 in Cairo. The technology is scheduled to be deployed in 2017. The contract is part of the authority's project to upgrade the line, which was built in 1989. Trains along the line carry 2 million passengers per day, according to an Alstom press release.