RTA: Crosstie production, purchases decline in July

In July, crosstie production fell 8.9 percent to 1.6 million units and purchases dropped 9.8 percent to 2.2 million units from June levels, according to the Railway Tie Association's (RTA) monthly market report.

Compared with year-ago levels, production plunged nearly 25.9 percent, while purchases remained the same. Production during the first seven months of 2017 declined 21.9 percent to 12.65 million units, while purchases fell 9.6 percent to 13.7 million units compared with the same period in 2016.

"Purchases are in a downward trend at a 9.3 percent annual rate," the RTA report stated. "Production is also trending lower and is down by [a] 16.5 percent annual rate."