~ Newly-created role to support opportunities in
Europe and emerging freight rail
markets ~
LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon,
Sept. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE: GBX) announced today
that Jim Cowan has been appointed
President, Greenbrier International. Cowan continues to
report to William A. Furman,
Chairman and CEO of Greenbrier and remains as CEO of GBW Railcar
Services, LLC, a 50/50 railcar repair and refurbishment joint
venture with Watco Companies, LLC. Ray
Pericola, who has served at GBW since its creation in 2014,
has been promoted to President reporting to Cowan.
In this newly-created role, Cowan's broad experience in
manufacturing and the rail industry will support Greenbrier's
rapidly-growing international operations. Cowan's
responsibilities extend to all railcar markets outside the Americas
and include international project coordination with Greenbrier's
Global Manufacturing Organization (GMO). Cowan will work
closely with Alejandro Centurion, President of GMO, and
Martin Graham, Executive Vice
President, GMO.
Cowan is well known in the railcar industry with decades of
experience in senior leadership positions. Prior to joining
Greenbrier in 2014, Cowan worked for Amsted Rail supporting their
activities in Brazil. Previously, Cowan served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of American Railcar Industries, Inc.
(ARI) where he had oversight of ARI's activities in international
rail markets where Greenbrier is currently active.
"Today, Greenbrier serves railcar markets from our facilities in
the US, Mexico, Europe and Brazil. Greenbrier's presence is also
rapidly growing in emerging railcar markets that we can serve from
Europe including markets in the
Middle East, Africa and Eurasia," Furman said. "I
have asked Jim to take on this new role to more fully focus
Greenbrier on global business opportunities. I am pleased
that he will bring important new leadership to our international
activities."
About Greenbrier
Greenbrier (www.gbrx.com), headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading supplier of
transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry.
Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars in manufacturing
facilities in the U.S., Mexico and
Poland and marine barges at our
U.S. manufacturing facility. Greenbrier sells reconditioned wheel
sets and provides wheel services at locations throughout the U.S.
We recondition, manufacture and sell railcar parts at various U.S.
sites. Through GBW Railcar Services, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture
with Watco Companies, LLC, freight cars are repaired and
refurbished at over 30 locations across North America, including more than 10 tank car
repair and maintenance facilities certified by the Association of
American Railroads. Greenbrier owns a lease fleet of over 8,900
railcars and performs management services for over 264,000
railcars.