Search Results for: railway supply

CN’s Mongeau calls for new paradigm anchored on innovation, productivity and greater collaboration

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National called for a new business model that embraces innovation, increased productivity and greater stakeholder collaboration.

Mongeau, speaking to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said: "We need to articulate a clear vision of how we’re going to foster economic growth and compete more effectively in global markets. To that end, we require business and government to embrace change and foster innovation. At CN, we intend to be part of the solution."

Mongeau cited CN’s Scheduled Grain Plan introduced last year as an example of innovation that is driving significant gains for all stakeholders in the grain industry.

"CN’s success under this plan in delivering specified hopper cars to specified elevators on specified days each week has translated into more predictable service to the grain industry. Grain companies can now better schedule their staff at country elevators and waterfront export terminals. It’s all about selling the right grain at the right time to the right buyer and ultimately creating more wealth for Canadian farmers."

The results – CN achieved a fulfillment rate of more than 85 per cent for spotting of covered hoppers on the day the railway committed their placement during 2010.

Mongeau said CN’s new Scheduled Grain Plan is "a prototype of what we have to do more of in the key supply chains we serve to support increased competitiveness. This business model will require greater collaboration from all players and a renewed willingness to innovate in order to stake our ground in world markets."

Mongeau said achieving greater grain supply chain efficiencies means the system needs to evolve from one that’s too often characterized by adversarial relationships to one based on closer collaboration and a clear end-to-end supply chain perspective. This is best achieved, he said, in a context of mutual trust and in a commercial framework.

Mongeau concluded: "To succeed, we have to take this journey together. Embracing change and innovating together is the key to making the grain industry more competitive in global markets."

Canadian transport minister recognizes importance of rail in country

Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, was part of a roundtable discussion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Rail 2030, the Railway Association of Canada’s project to develop a common industry vision for the future of rail.

In his lunchtime address to public and private sector partners in the rail industry, Minister Strahl recognized the continuing importance of rail to Canada’s economic future. Rail is, he said, a key part of the North American supply chain and global trading network that stretches to and from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Minister Strahl also underlined the value of partnerships and collaboration in fostering transportation research for an increasingly knowledge-driven sector.

"Our vision is of a future integrated transportation system that is sustainable, competitive, safe and secure, serving the needs of shippers, passengers and all Canadians," said Minister Strahl. "Our government will be working in partnership with you, your colleagues in other modes and your stakeholders to remove barriers, find solutions and encourage cooperation."

Minister Strahl highlighted the collaborative work being done by industry, government and academic researchers through Transport Canada’s Railway Research Advisory Board. The board is actively examining new approaches and seeking solutions to address transportation challenges such as infrastructure renewal, congestion, rising energy costs, environmental concerns and mobility.

"When we talk about preparing for Canada’s future prosperity, we know innovation must play a role," said Minister Strahl. "Investing in the right technologies, research and business strategies will provide a competitive edge by improving efficiency, reliability and sustainability.”

CN targets C$1.7 billion capex 2011

CN plans to invest C$1.7 billion in 2011 to maintain a safe and fluid railway network, to grow the business efficiently and to continue to provide customers with a high level of service.

$53B HSR reaction: HNTB and Bombardier

Peter Gertler, chair high-speed rail services for HNTB Corporation, has issued a statement on Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement of a comprehensive plan to provide 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years:

“We welcome the administration’s leadership and participation in the national conversation. This plan is a timely opportunity to engage the public and policy makers in a discussion about the future of America’s transportation system. Beyond initial investments – totaling more than $10.5 billion in the last two years – we need a vision and a long-term financing plan that supports a program as powerful as the Interstate Highway System was more than 50 years ago.

The announcement calls for a $56 billion investment, over six years. This funding provides a real opportunity to build on the country’s down payment, continue work already begun as well as design and build for the future.

While there will be disagreements about the scope, timing and financing of the president’s proposal, that debate should be encouraged. Finding common ground will allow our country to benefit from a modern rail system that will generate jobs, ease congestion and encourage economic development.”

The announcement prompted another statement by Robert E. Furniss, U.S. vice president, Business Development and Sales, Rolling Stock, Locomotives and High Speed Rail, Bombardier Transportation: 


“As a global leader in rail equipment manufacturing and servicing, Bombardier Transportation understands the important contributions that an improved rail infrastructure can provide. The U.S. investment in passenger rail initiatives promotes economic expansion in construction and manufacturing, creates new choices for travelers, reduces national dependence on foreign oil and fosters community development. Increased focus on integrating intermodal options, including an intercity and high-speed rail network, in the U.S. is crucial to keep up with a competitive global economy.

Rail networks can act as an economic engine to promote good jobs and enhanced quality of life.  However, the key to creating a sustainable U.S. rail business will be consistent and long-term investment to draw serious players and establish a viable domestic supply chain. Other leading nations are investing and improving their rail systems and without consistent investment the U.S. will be left behind.
 


The development of additional rail systems throughout the U.S. also is essential to developing cleaner, more efficient transportation systems. Passenger rail corridors will take cars off the roads, reduce dependence on foreign oil and diminish CO2 emissions.
 


Bombardier Transportation is well-positioned to help the U.S. develop this vital transportation option, and is excited to explore the opportunities to help improve the infrastructure of America’s passenger railways.”

U.S. Steel names Sommers president of Transtar

United States Steel Corporation named Malisa J. Sommers managing director of transportation and president of Transtar, Inc., U. S. Steel’s transportation subsidiary.

As managing director of transportation, Sommers will be responsible for various aspects of transportation and logistics, including the logistics services group headed by James V. Bard, at U. S. Steel facilities in North America. She will also oversee operations at the railroad and barge companies that comprise Transtar, Inc.: Birmingham Southern Railroad Company; Delray Connecting Railroad Company; Fairfield Southern Company; Gary Railway Company; The Lake Terminal Railroad Company; Lorain Northern Company; McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company; Texas & Northern Railway Company; Union Railroad Company; and Warrior & Gulf Navigation LLC.  

Sommers will report to Vice President of Supply Chain & Customer Service Anton Lukac.  

Prior to joining U. S. Steel in 2001, Sommers worked for Wheeling-Nisshin, Inc., a steel coating facility in Follansbee, W.Va., for 13 years. Sommers spent her first three years with U. S. Steel at Straightline, the company’s former steel distribution subsidiary, serving two years as manager of demand fulfillment and one year as manager of customer care.  

In 2004, Sommers moved to U. S. Steel’s corporate headquarters after being named manager of purchasing information technology. One year later, she advanced to manager of CAPEX procurement, where she managed procurement activities related to capital expenditure projects around the company. In 2007, she was named manager of materials management and in 2009 she advanced to her most recent position, general manager of global materials management and procurement operations.  

CN vice-president discusses a bright future for Prince Rupert






Mike Cory, CN Rail’s
senior vice-president in the Western Region, attended the Prince Rupert, B.C.,
and District Chamber of Commerce lunch to speak about the bright future of
Prince Rupert’s Port, and made a donation on behalf of CN to the Prince Rupert
Heritage Advisory Committee for the Pillsbury House, The Northern View reports.

UI visit gives official insight into pavement, rail research






A top-ranking U.S. transportation
official visited Rantoul, Ill., recently to see what the University of Illinois
has been cooking up in pavement and high-speed rail research, the Champaign-Urbana
News-Gazette reports. Peter Appel, the U.S.
administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, toured
the 60,000-square-foot facility known as UI’s Advanced Transportation Research
and Engineering Laboratory located on the former Chanute Air Force Base.

Vossloh awarded major contract in Sweden






Vossloh has concluded
with Trafikverket, the Swedish infrastructure authority, a framework agreement
for supplying a new type of in-sleeper actuation system for switches and
crossings over a period of 10 years, including an option for five more years.
The total contract value is above €100 million (about $128 million). Fully
integrated into the sleeper, the system chosen by Trafikverket is a customized
version of the Easyswitch actuation system previously developed by Vossloh
Cogifer.

CP Rail wants clarity from feds, provinces






Ottawa and the provinces need
to do a better job of coordinating policy on issues ranging from the
environment to tax reform, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.’s top executive said, The
Canadian Press reports. Canadian Pacific representatives have spent a lot of
time in Ottawa — not to mention Washington — making the case for removing
"artificial barriers in the form of regulation or legislation," Fred
Green told shareholders at the firm’s annual general meeting.

CN says its precision railroading model, innovations improve rail service






CN said today that
customer-focused innovation and balanced accountability among transportation
partners are the keys to improving the effectiveness of Canada’s logistics
supply chain. CN, in a submission to the Rail Freight Service Review panel
appointed by the Canadian government, said hard facts compiled for the panel
establish the quality of CN’s rail transportation product, most notably in
terms of hub-to-hub transit time performance.

U.S. Commercial Railroad & Infrastructure Trade Delegation to visit U.A.E.






The U.S.-U.A.E. Business
Council and the Association of American Railroads will lead a U.S. Commercial
Railroad and Infrastructure Mission to the United Arab Emirates from June 20-24.
The trade mission will allow U.S. companies in the railway technology,
services, operator and infrastructure supply sectors to develop a bi-lateral
railroad and trade relationship between the U.S. and the U.A.E.

Gas boom sparking rail revival






Those who can operate
trains, repair locomotives, and maintain railroad tracks may find increased job
opportunities in the Lycoming Valley in Pennsylvania soon, the Daily Item
reports. Lycoming Valley Railroad Co. is seeing an upsurge in demand for
transportation of supplies needed by contractors serving Marcellus Shale
drillers. 


Stella-Jones completes acquisition of Tangent Rail Corporation






Stella-Jones Inc. has
completed the acquisition of Tangent Rail Corporation, a provider of wood
crosstie supply chain services to the railroad industry. This acquisition
expands Stella-Jones’ capabilities within the U.S. railway tie market and
provides the company with coal tar distillation operations. Stella-Jones’ North
American wood treating infrastructure now consists of 19 facilities, 11 of
which are located in the United States.

Ontario Lowlands set for mineral boom






The
provincial government of Ontario has announced plans to develop the James Bay
Lowlands in the north of the province, Minerals and Metals magazine reports. More
than 20 mining companies are hoping to cash in on an area believed to contain
high-grade deposits of nickel, copper, zinc, gold, chromite and palladium.

Global Partners plans ethanol facility expansion with CP Rail






Global Partners LP will
carry out a multi-million-dollar expansion and tank refurbishment project that
will add 180,000 barrels of ethanol storage capacity and rail access at the its
refined petroleum products terminal in Albany, N.Y. Developed jointly with
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, the project, expected to be operational in
2010, includes modifications that will enable the Albany terminal to schedule
the delivery of 80-car trains of ethanol. Global Partners will connect the
terminal to CP’s adjacent Kenwood Yard rail facility via pipeline. The terminal
and rail facility are strategically located along the Hudson River, providing
access to the global Partners’ terminal network in the Northeast.