Rep. Van Orden Tours Stella-Jones Facility in Bangor

(L-R) Congressman Derrick Van Orden; Supervisor Mark Spears, Town of Bangor; David Kinserdahl, Stella-Jones; Emily Traiforos, GoRail Wisconsin State Director; Liz Russell, Director of Operations, Stella-Jones; Ryan Peterson, Plant Manager, Stella-Jones

Courtesy of GoRail

BANGOR, Wis. – U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden toured the Stella-Jones facility in Bangor and discussed the impact of suppliers on the industry.

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden toured the Stella-Jones Corporation’s Wisconsin facility. According to the press release, the facility treats between 1 million and 1.6 million railroad ties each year and supplies “the continent’s demand for railway ties and timbers with up to 10 million pressure-treated wooden crossties per year.”

Stella-Jones produces wooden railway ties, utility poles, and residential lumber products across 45 North American facilities. The facility in Bangor supports 86 jobs and receives raw material from more than 100 sawmills. Between 40% and 50% of production heads out via rail car with “direct service by CPKC and another access point to CN Railway an hour North via truck.”

Representative Van Orden joined Stella-Jones officials and the non-profit GoRail to view the production floor and stated: “The freight rail industry is critical to Wisconsin and the entire country’s economy, connecting businesses in the Third District to national and global markets. . . If the railroad stops, America stops. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the House Committee on Agriculture, I am well aware of the importance that a safe and vibrant rail industry plays in moving the economy, and it’s especially instructive to see how this industry is supported locally by businesses like Stella Jones.”

Stella-Jones Director of Operations Liz Russell stated: “We are proud to be joined by Rep. Van Orden to demonstrate our work here, its value to this community, and how it’s in support of a much larger industry that is critical to how our economy functions. Our facility has been in the rail business for over five decades and while railroading has evolved, its role in supporting jobs and development has remained the same.”

During the tour, Stella-Jones and Rep. Van Orden discussed the impact of suppliers on the railroad industry, particularly how “they make the locomotives, railcars, components, equipment, technologies, and services that have given the United States the world’s safest, most efficient, and productive freight rail network.” Additionally, they discussed federal policies regarding railroads and their suppliers. GoRail states that it urges policymakers to prioritize an data-driven approach that encourages private sector investment in rail. Otherwise, “regressive legislation requiring railroads to lock in present-day operational systems and practices would stifle investment and innovation, undercutting rail service and safety. In turn, suppliers and the vast economy tied to the railroad operations would suffer.”

Wisconsin State Director for GoRail, Emily Traiforos, stated: “Working together, North America’s six Class I railroads and 603 short line and regional railroads move the economy, including 40% of U.S. long distance freight and a third of U.S. exports. . . It’s vital that railroads can continue to invest in and improve their operations to meet increased demand and changing customer needs in the future.”

“About Stella-Jones

Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX: SJ) is North America’s leading producer of pressure-treated wood products. It supplies the continent’s major electrical utilities and telecommunication companies with wood utility poles and North America’s Class 1, short line and commercial railroad operators with railway ties and timbers. Stella-Jones also provides industrial products, which include wood for railway bridges and crossings, marine and foundation pilings, construction timbers and coal tar-based products. Additionally, the Company manufactures and distributes premium treated residential lumber and accessories to Canadian and American retailers for outdoor applications, with a significant portion of the business devoted to servicing Canadian customers through its national manufacturing and distribution network. The Company’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.stella-jones.com. 

“About GoRail

GoRail is a national non-profit grassroots organization that unites rail stakeholders with community leaders and the public in support of rail solutions to tomorrow’s transportation challenges. Every additional ton of freight moved by rail instead of over our congested highways means more jobs, a stronger economy, and fewer emissions. GoRail provides a forum for concerned Americans to make it clear to members of Congress that the rail policy decisions they make on Capitol Hill have real impacts back home in their communities. For more information, visit: https://gorail.org/.”