Supply Side: InnoTrans, IntelliTrans, PowerRail, Seoul Robotics/Herzog, STG/XPO Logistics

STG Logistics has added to its operations XPO Logistics’ intermodal division, which formed through XPO’s purchase of Pacer in 2014 and Bridge Terminal Transport in 2015.

InnoTrans is offering North American attendees a discount to attend its biennial international event. Also, IntelliTrans is now providing freight management services; Cad Railway Industries Ltd. will begin distributing PowerRail’s aftermarket locomotive parts and components; Seoul Robotics and Herzog Technologies Inc. have partnered on an automated obstacle detection and warning system for railroads; STG Logistics has acquired XPO Logistics’ intermodal division, the third largest provider of containerized transportation services in North America.

The North American office of InnoTrans is offering attendees 60% off regular ticket prices for its Sept. 22-23, 2022 event in Berlin, Germany. With the theme “The Future of Mobility in Times of Climate Change,” InnoTrans will feature a 1.16-million-square-foot exhibition space. To receive the discounted ticket code, North Americans must email [email protected].

Atlanta, Ga.-based IntelliTrans is offering bulk and break-bulk industry customers freight management services on a per-shipment basis. The services include intervening with carriers, overseeing the dispatch process, auditing and paying freight bills, monitoring in-transit shipments, analyzing performance, and automating spot market processes. By allowing IntelliTrans to perform the work, customers will avoid “the burden of attraction, retention and development of talent,” and the company will provide “agile, resilient and customer-centric processes,” according to President Ken Sherman.

Headquartered in Montreal, Cad Railway Industries Ltd. is now the exclusive distributor of all PowerRail aftermarket locomotive parts and components in Canada. PowerRail products support both EMD and GE locomotives.

“We are continually striving to provide enhanced products with cost-savings, reliability and quality in mind,” said Paul Foster, CEO and Board Chair of PowerRail, which recently announced that it will be moving from Duryea, Pa., to a new facility in Exeter, Pa. “We are delighted to have such an established and trusted distributor as Cad Railway Industries to represent our products in Canada. This new partnership will certainly help us to further strengthen our leadership position in North America.”

PowerRail’s “extensive portfolio of products creates the perfect complement to our service offerings,” said Fausto Levy, President and CEO Cad Railway Industries Ltd., a subsidiary of Sojitz Corporation that provides locomotive and railcar products for the freight and passenger rail industries. “We look forward to growing the business together in Canada as we introduce more of their products to all of the Canadian market.”

Seoul Robotics, a 3D computer vision company based in Irvine, Calif., and Herzog Technologies Inc., a railroad systems and technology integrator, have introduced Critical Asset Monitoring (CAM) to help reduce railroad incidents at crossings, bridges, tunnels, stations and other important areas. CAM is an automated obstacle detection and warning system that combines Seoul Robotics’ 3D perception software (SENSR-I™) with Herzog’s occupancy detection platform. Using a multi-sensor hardware platform and 3D perception engine, it tracks and classifies humans, vehicles, bicycles, and other foreign objects, analyzing information in real time and alerting train conductors and operations personnel to hazards, the companies reported.

Trinity Railway Express, a commuter railroad between Fort Worth and Dallas, Tex., is currently using the system.

“CAM provides customers with the ability to monitor aspects of their critical infrastructure in ways previously unavailable,” Herzog Vice President of Technology Glen Dargy said.

“For a rail detection system, every second is critical,” Seoul Robotics Vice President of Product Jerone Floor said. “Trains need adequate time to fully stop and require advanced warning to reduce the chance of a collision. This is only possible with an accurate, highly granular 3D perception system like ours. Through our partnership with Herzog, we are making this technology available to any rail operator, ensuring they can cost-effectively access these insights and make every second count.”

STG Logistics has added to its operations XPO Logistics’ intermodal division, which provides intermodal drayage and rail brokerage services for retailers, manufacturers, third-party logistics providers and other customers. The division’s network includes 48 locations, 11,000 containers, 2,200 tractors, and 5,200 chassis. It was formed through XPO’s purchase of Pacer in 2014 and Bridge Terminal Transport in 2015.

STG operates a nationwide facility network comprising 28 port locations totaling more than 5 million square feet and maintains relationships with more than 65 inland partners who enable final-mile access to all major metropolitan areas, according to the company.

The combined STG-XPO Logistics business will retain the STG Logistics name, and provide fully integrated, port-to-door containerized logistics services, including drayage, transloading, warehousing, fulfillment, rail transportation and associated final-mile distribution.

STG CEO Paul Svindland and STG President and CFO Geoff Anderman will continue to lead the company. Current STG COO Todd Larson will lead the legacy STG operations as EVP of STG and COO of STG’s Distribution segment, and Paul Smith, formerly President of XPO’s intermodal division, will lead STG’s intermodal operations as EVP of STG and COO of STG Intermodal.

As part of the transaction, STG, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners since 2016, “was recapitalized by Wind Point as well as funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., including Oaktree’s Transportation Infrastructure Investing and Global Opportunities Group,” STG reported.

“We are combining STG’s leading position in facility-based container logistics with XPO Intermodal’s leading position in container transport, creating a platform with unparalleled capabilities,” Paul Svindland said. “Once combined, the STG network will be able to handle a container from the instant it’s ready at a port or customer facility to the moment each individual shipment arrives at its final destination, all the while providing customers full visibility and a single source of accountability.”

“We are thrilled to complete this initial stage of our journey with the team at STG and excited to have the opportunity to reinvest in the combined business as it embarks on its next phase of growth,” Wind Point Managing Director Konrad Salaber said. “STG is expected to exceed $1.7 billion in 2022 revenue and maintains an aggressive strategy for growth focused on transloading, warehouse solutions, fulfillment and domestic intermodal services. We’re also excited to be partnering with Oaktree, a group we know well with a highly successful track record investing in a variety of port, rail, and related logistics infrastructure assets.”