Supply Side: L.B. Foster, Shuttlewagon
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Pittsburgh, Pa.-based L.B. Foster has acquired Skratch Enterprises and Intelligent Video (IV), both headquartered in the U.K, to complement its work designing, developing, manufacturing and installing a range of mobile, wireless and digital customer information signage systems for use in railway stations and airports.
L.B. Foster Company has acquired digital system integrator Skratch Enterprises Ltd. and security and safety system developer Intelligent Video Ltd. Also, Wabtec’s Shuttlewagon has appointed a new dealer for its mobile railcar movers.
Pittsburgh, Pa.-based L.B. Foster has acquired Skratch Enterprises and Intelligent Video (IV), both headquartered in the U.K, to complement its work designing, developing, manufacturing and installing a range of mobile, wireless and digital customer information signage systems for use in railway stations and airports.
Skratch “brings advanced digital display technology and capabilities to L.B. Foster that can be leveraged in both the rail space and adjacent retail markets,” according to L.B. Foster, which noted that it has collaborated with Skratch on digital solutions for the retail sector, including a digital signage application for a British supermarket chain. Additionally, IV has provided sub-contracting services for L.B. Foster’s Remote Condition Monitoring (RCM) and Inform Visual Communications solutions.
Skratch and IV collectively employ 38 people at their respective Telford and Leamington Spa offices. Both will operate as standalone subsidiaries within the L.B. Foster group of companies.
“These acquisitions fit neatly into the growth strategy L.B. Foster announced in 2021,” said John Kasel, President and CEO of L.B. Foster, which employs more than 450 people in the U.K. and approximately 1,300 worldwide. “The accomplished team at Skratch delivers new learning, expertise and experience that complements existing L.B. Foster growth businesses, and enables access to wider target markets in the U.K. and Europe. IV provides unique expertise and capabilities that help enable our aspiration to grow our technology-focused solutions offering.”
In related developments, L.B. Foster’s digital passenger information display units used in railway stations and airports in the Americas and Europe now offer sign language options and allow text modification on high-contrast screens.
Lisle, Ill.-based West Side Tractor has been appointed the “exclusive authorized” Shuttlewagon dealer serving Illinois, Indiana and portions of Michigan.
West Side Tractor, with 11 servicing locations and more than 500 employees, will provide Shuttlewagon railcar mover sales, rentals, service, and parts support to customers in its territory.
“West Side Tractor is an experienced, full-service dealer that perfectly suits our national dealer expansion strategy,” said John Connor, Vice President and General Manager at Shuttlewagon, the Kansas City, Mo.-based designer and producer of diesel- and electric-powered mobile railcar movers. “This relationship enhances our value proposition to provide the best products, rental, parts and service in the industry.”
“The Shuttlewagon products have synergy with our entire portfolio of heavy-equipment products and solutions,” said Brian Benck, Vice President of Sales for West Side Tractor.
