A. Stucki’s Kiefer Retiring

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
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Bill Kiefer

Rail supply community stalwart Bill Kiefer, President and CEO of A. Stucki Company since 2003, on March 31 announced his retirement. He remains on the company’s board of directors.

A. Stucki Company, a major provider of engineered components, systems and services for the railroad industry and other markets, described Kiefer as “the leader of its expansion, development and success.” Stucki’s parent company, SCI Rail Holdings LLC, a division of Stone Canyon Industries Holdings LLC, is searching for a new CEO. “The goal during this transition is to minimize disruption, sustain the focus on Stucki’s key strategic priorities and continue providing excellent customer service,” the company said.

Stone Canyon named Stucki Chief Financial Officer David Brown to the additional post of Interim CEO. Brown will focus on the company’s day-to-day management and strategic direction, working closely with executive management team members Ray Patterson, Chief Operating Officer, and Annette Camuso-Sarsfield, Chief Human Resources Officer.

Kiefer founded Independent Draft Gear in Farrell, Pa., in 1997, selling reconditioned draft gears to Class I railroads and other railcar users. In 2002, Stucki acquired IDG, and in 2003 Kiefer became President and CEO. Since then, he has orchestrated 11 acquisitions that have expanded Stucki’s capabilities “and made the company a more valuable supplier to its traditional rail industry customers and new customers in other markets,” the company noted. “With support from Stone Canyon Holdings and SCI Rail, Stucki has grown to become the leading independent seller of new and reconditioned freight car products in North America.”

Kiefer holds an MBA from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Youngstown State University.

“I have deeply enjoyed the opportunity to lead this company with the tremendous support of our dedicated customers, employees, partners and suppliers,” Kiefer said. “We are pleased to begin this transition from a position of strength, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on the board to support the next successful chapter in Stucki history.”   

“Bill’s leadership has enabled Stucki to capitalize on many excellent growth opportunities in rail and beyond while preserving customer relationships that began decades ago,” said Brown. “As an engineer’s engineer with exceptional business acumen, Bill developed and sustained trust across the broad range of Stucki stakeholders. We’re very fortunate that we will continue to benefit from Bill’s expertise as a member of our board.” 

Established in 1911, A. Stucki Company’s product line includes wheelsets, brake beams, side bearings, roller bearings, draft gears, turbochargers, couplers and yokes, hydraulic stabilizers, overhead crane rail, track spikes, track and switch material, springs, castings, grating, machined components and urethane products for rail and other industrial customers. Its range of rail and industrial services includes precision CNC turning and milling, parts reconditioning, direct-to-locomotive fueling and locomotive maintenance. Based in Pittsburgh, the company has operations throughout the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. 

Stone Canyon Industries Holdings (SCIH) is a global industrial holding company “designed to ‘buy, build and hold’ for the long term, with a strategy focused on acquiring and operating market-leading companies. Founded by Co-CEOs Adam Cohn and James Fordyce, SCIH companies operate in essential industries that provide mission-critical products and services to customers around the world. SCIH seeks to build out industrial verticals in stable and mature industries that possess favorable economic dynamics, as well as an opportunity to build a substantial company that will make a difference.”

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