RSI lists top supply company states

Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas lead the list of 11 states that host “the largest concentration of railway supply companies in terms of number of facilities, total number of employees, and total sales,” the Railway Supply Institute announced Thursday.

RSI compiled its list using survey data gathered from the RSI membership and other public and proprietary sources, resulting in a report revealing the width and breadth of the supply industry. In the top 11 states alone, RSI estimates that more than 650 companies operate more than 800 facilities, support nearly 90,000 employees, and produce nearly $23 billion in revenues.

“RSI has long maintained that there is a clear link between continued investment in freight and passenger rail and sustainable well-paying domestic railway supply manufacturing jobs. The data we have compiled support that contention,” said RSI President Tom Simpson.

“We published the data from the top states in terms of supply companies and facilities to show the impact this industry makes on our economy, but should make clear that there are railway supply companies and manufacturing facilities in nearly every one of the lower 48 states—most small businesses—and all dependent on the continued vibrancy of our nation’s freight and passenger rail systems,” said Simpson (pictured at right). 

“America’s railway suppliers represent a multibillion dollar per year industry supporting many thousands of American workers,” Simpson continued. “Our nation’s rail supply companies are involved in the manufacture of products and services in the freight car, locomotive, maintenance-of-way, communications and signaling, intercity passenger rail and transit industries. A healthy and vibrant freight and passenger rail network directly impacts this entire industry.

“Investing in rail will ensure competitiveness, promote job creation here at home, and improve our nation’s mobility, and should remain a top priority for private investment and our nation’s policymakers,” Simpson said.

The RSI’s list of top 11 states can be accessed here.