The first production staff to be recruited for CRRC Sifang America’s Chicago rolling stock factory have gone to China for training. The plant in the Hegewisch district of southeast Chicago is to produce at least 840 Series 7000 metro cars for Chicago Transit Authority, and CRRC has committed to hiring local staff, creating a pre-apprenticeship programme and hiring people facing barriers to employment.
Unipart Rail acquired 100% of the share capital of rolling stock air supply, HVAC and door equipment manufacturing and maintenance business Westcode UK Ltd and its US counterpart Westcode Inc with effect from March 1, saying this would support its growth and acquisition strategy in targeting both overseas markets and activities which complement its portfolio.
Transmashholding’s Tver Carriage Works has reported net profit of 3·70bn roubles for 2018, up from 616m roubles the previous year. Revenue was up 70% to 47·2bn roubles.
Vossloh AG supervisory board member and Chairman Volker Kefer resigned for personal reasons on March 4. He has been replaced by Deputy Chairman Ulrich M Harnacke, until the appointment of a permanent successor at the annual general meeting on May 22.
RJ Corman Railroad Group has joined the Association of American Railroads as a full member, and will participate in the Safety & Operations and Policy & Advocacy management committees. The group operates 13 short lines employing more than 1 500 people in 22 US states.
The Australasian Railway Association and the UK’s Railway Industry Association have signed a memorandum of understanding to work more closely together to benefit their members and boost each country’s export potential. This includes exchanging of information linked to research and innovation; sharing information and approaches on skill needs, training and careers; closer working arrangements at trade fairs; and providing members of either organisation with access to meeting facilities in ARA and RIA offices.
