BNSF Logistics, which is owned by BNSF Railway, announced the acquisition of Transportation Technology Services to expand the buyer’s capability to manage oversize rail cargoes such as wind energy equipment.
BNSF Logistics, which didn’t disclose the acquisition terms, said the move complements previous investments in the wind energy industry, such as Blade Runner technology.
Transportation Technology has specialized in services such as designing, loading and inspecting oversize rail freight and other project cargo.
Southlake, Texas-based Transportation manages shipments that are three or more times heavier than the conventional railcar that accommodates 286,000 pounds. The larger shipments use specialized equipment such as one car that has 20 axles instead of the conventional four per rail car.
“TTS’s engineering and design capabilities, extensive wind fixtures and rail transload locations, coupled with their talent and market expertise in industrial products, are a perfect fit,” said Ray Greer, president of BNSF Logistics, which ranks No. 17 on Transport Topics' list of top brokerage firms.
Greer also said the move expands the company’s capabilities for managing moves of industrial products such as power generation equipment as well as multimodal and transload services commodities such as as chemicals.
Transportation Technology uses almost 2,000 railcars, including 1,200 that are specially equipped for shipment of wind turbine components. It will become the U.S. Rail, Project Cargo and Engineering Services division for BNSF Logistics.
BNSF Logistics also said that Scott Landrum, president and founder of Transportation Technology, and General Manager John Dalman will have senior management posts in the newly created unit.
