Whiting, L.B. Foster strike a deal

Whiting Corp., a North American manufacturer of custom-built rail maintenance equipment and overhead cranes, is acquiring certain railcar and locomotive repair assets from L.B. Foster Rail Technologies, Inc.

Known for its Portable Electric Jacks, Drop Tables, Transit Maintenance Systems, and other railcar equipment, Whiting Corp. “is a leading name for railcar maintenance and lifting equipment for the freight and commuter railroad industries, municipal transit authorities, railcar builders and independent maintenance shops,” the company said. Whiting President Jeff Kahn noted the acquired L.B. Foster business unit “designs, sells, and services equipment used in the maintenance of railcars, including MacJacks and other hydraulic solutions.”

Key employees from L.B. Foster are now employees of Whiting Corp. and will remain located in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area, “where their skills, technology and customer knowledge ideally complements our existing Chicago manufacturing and service capabilities,” the company said. “The expanded Whiting Services Rail Group resulting from the acquisition unites some of the country’s strongest engineering, analysis, monitoring, and safety skill sets and capabilities into a one-stop shop operating round-the-clock and national coverage from service locations across the country.”

“This acquisition further strengthens Whiting’s capabilities in servicing Class I, short line and passenger railroads throughout North America,” said Kahn. “And, for all customers, it means that, through a single phone call, the expanded Services group can now deliver even greater service and engineering capabilities on many pieces of equipment in railyards across America. Acquisition of the agreed L.B. Foster assets as part of the Whiting Corp. represents a major gain for the existing and future customers of each organization. Both companies share a tradition of engineering excellence, total commitment to safety, and a high reputation for service through a network extending throughout North America.”

In the U.S., the Whiting brand has a history of more than 100 years producing “durable, safe, reliable, and efficient lifting technology for applications where safety, durability and reliability are critical,” the company said. “Whiting Services, Inc., specializes in the maintenance and inspection of Whiting rail maintenance equipment and overhead cranes, as well as similar equipment of other manufacturers. Offering round-the-clock ahttps://www.railwayage.com/administrator/#nd national coverage with professional and experienced technicians, Whiting Services is able to provide world-class services, inspections, maintenance programs, installations, on-site repairs, training and modernizations.”