L.B. Foster to acquire Balfour Beatty unit

L.B. Foster Co. announced on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, an agreement to acquire the railroad tuning unit, FWO, of Balfour Beatty Rail GmbH. The German business provides track lubrication and switch roller equipment for international railway applications.

“FWO railway products will complement and expand L.B. Foster’s existing line of friction management and track products,” said L. B. Foster President and CEO Robert Bauer. “This acquisition will undoubtedly enhance L.B. Foster’s rail activities in Europe.”

“The FWO ESA Electronic Track Lubricating system and associated specialist knowledge of wheel/rail interaction is an ideal fit with L.B. Foster’s existing solution portfolio, marketing expertise, and R&D competencies,” noted L.B. Foster Rail Technologies (UK) Ltd. Managing Director Peter Jones.

The FWO business unit currently employs a team based in Bochum (Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany) and has established sales in Europe and South America.

Said Jones, “I am delighted that the key employees in this business have decided to join the L.B. Foster team and help strengthen our position in the European market.”