Rail supplier news from Tealinc, Holland, Atkins Realis and Hitachi (Nov. 22)

Tealinc LLC has been acquired by a private, family-owned premium finance firm. The acquisition, which occurred a year ago but was announced this week, has infused Tealinc with increased capital, allowing the company to acquire rail cars in larger volumes, providing rail-car shippers with streamlined and competitive options for selling, leasing, buying, and managing their rail-car equipment assets, according to a Tealinc press release. As part of the ownership transition, the company welcomed Nate Chilton as director of rail-car leasing and sales. He joins the Tealinc leadership team, which includes CEO Darell Luther, President Julie Mink, and directors Shannon Rodgers and Yvonne Lufborough. 

Holland LP has been awarded a bronze medal sustainability rating from EcoVadis, a third-party environmental, social and corporate governance assessor. This is Holland's second bronze medal, an indication of the company's commitment to partnering with others in the rail industry to advance sustainability initiatives, Holland officials said in a press release. EcoVadis assesses companies in four categories: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Atkins Realis has been awarded a support technical oversight review and monitoring services (STORM) blanket purchase agreement by the Federal Railroad Administration. The FRA administers grants and loans through the STORM program to assist state and eligible entities in financing the planning, acquisition, design, construction and improvement of freight-rail and intercity passenger-rail infrastructure, facilities and equipment. Amtrak rail service operating support is also managed through STORM. Atkins Realis also has obtained a project management oversight contract from the Federal Transit Administration to support oversight of the agency's major capital projects and related programs.

Hitachi Rail has been awarded a contract to upgrade two major railway infrastructure projects in Thailand with European train control system (ETCS) digital signaling to provide enhanced speed, reliability and safety. Hitachi Rail’s ETCS Level 1 system will be installed trackside on the Northeast Line from Nong Waeng Rai to Nong Phok and on the North Line from Den Chai to Ngao, as well as on board three vehicles. Both projects are part of Thailand’s long-term double-track development program, which aims to improve intercity rail connections by safely increasing line speed.