OFF Track Maintenance

Koppers purchases creosote business from KMG Chemicals; agrees to sell utility pole business

Koppers Inc. has acquired the creosote distribution business of KMG Chemicals, Inc., for $12.5 million plus the fair market value of inventory, which is estimated at $3 million. In addition to inventory, the acquisition includes the transfer of leased railcars and storage tanks from KMG to Koppers, as well as various customer agreements. Operating results from this business will be included in Koppers Carbon Materials and Chemicals business segment.

L.B. Foster acquires U.K.’s TEW Engineering

L.B. Foster Company acquired TEW Engineering Ltd., a U.K.-based engineering group that designs, manufactures and supports applications for rail markets and other industries. The 100-year-old firm specializes in rail engineering solutions for control room, passenger information and trackside signaling applications.

Haddad named EVP of the Northeast Maglev

The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) appointed Nazih Haddad to executive vice president, effective February 3. Haddad will manage the development of a high-speed rail system between Washington, D.C., and New York City, using Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) technology.

La Caisse enters agreement with Quebec government to focus on public transit system projects

La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has entered into an agreement with the Québec government establishing a business model for the execution of major infrastructure projects. The model updates the government’s business practices by entrusting la Caisse with the execution of infrastructure projects, which will speed up their delivery and strengthen Québec’s economic growth. For la Caisse, the deal represents an opportunity to grow Quebecers’ savings by developing and operating assets that will generate commercial returns.

BNSF adds director of tribal relations

BNSF‘s new director of tribal relations, Chris Howell, will focus on strengthening and reinforcing BNSF relationships with Native American tribes. That focus will include a lot of “windshield” time as Howell travels the system making connections with the 86 tribes that BNSF touches every day – and more than 150 within close driving range of the BNSF rail network.