Harsco acquires Protran Technology
Written by Douglas John Bowen
Harsco Corp. announced Monday, March 2, 2015 that it has acquired Newton, N.J.-based Protran Technology, providing design and production of safety systems for transportation and industrial applications. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Camp Hill, Pa.-based Harsco Corp. noted Protran’s railway track worker and train operator safety systems are in use throughout North America and internationally to help protect railway personnel from potential collisions and other hazardous situations. Protran equipment is also found on transit buses, providing turn alerts to pedestrians, while the company’s voltage awareness units provide audible and visual safety warnings during the testing of third rail and overhead catenary systems.
Protran will be operated as a unit of Harsco Rail, providing railway track maintenance equipment and services, where Protran joins a growing portfolio of leading-edge products to increase the efficiency and performance of large-scale equipment operations.
“This investment aligns perfectly with our stated strategy to further grow and diversify our Rail division,” said Harsco President and CEO Nick Grasberger. “We see numerous opportunities to leverage our global market presence and expand the reach of these important, life-saving products.”
“Bringing Protran into Harsco culminates a year-long relationship where we have served as their exclusive product distributor,” added Scott Jacoby, president of Harsco Rail. “During that time, we have become increasingly enthusiastic about the caliber of their offerings and the potential for supporting greater safety awareness and injury prevention throughout our markets.”
