Nordco merges two business units

Nordco Inc. has merged its Nordco Rail Services and Dapco Industries subsidiaries into a single business unit called Nordco Rail Services & Inspection Technologies. The restructured company “ offers the North American railroad industry a full spectrum of ultrasonic rail-flaw detection solutions that range from comprehensive outsourcing/contracting of Ultrasonic Rail Inspection to complete in-sourcing of rail inspection by utilizing Dapco Ultrasonic Rail Inspection Vehicles and related equipment,” said Nordco Rail Services & Inspection Technologies President Pat Graham.

“This move makes it possible to better-serve customers by combining the skills, knowledge, and experience of our two companies into a single entity,” said Graham. “It supports Nordco’s overall strategy to align itself with the needs of customers, and to offer an extensive, integrated array of products and services to the railroad maintenance-of-way industry. Our company will build on a shared history of developing new and innovative ultrasonic rail-flaw detection solutions, while continuing to focus on the service side of the business.”

Norco’s history includes a several industry milestones, including introduction of the first computerized ultrasonic rail flaw detection system; development of the first B-scan used in rail flaw detection; creation of proprietary, patent-pending Tracer technology for detecting detail fractures in the gauge corner of the rail and subsurface shells; and development of the first hi-railed Detector Car that features ultrasonic rail-flaw detection, line scan imaging, and rail profile measurement, with all data available for real-time and offline evaluation.

“Under the new structure, our main focus at Nordco Rail Services & Inspection Technologies will be the development and deployment of industry-leading rail flaw detection and predictive rail management solutions,” said Graham. “We will be concentrating our efforts on the critical task of partnering with North American railroads so that we can continue to develop innovations that are specific to their current and future needs. We are confident that this new structure allows us to align the goals and efforts of the field service and technology development groups to create a singular focus on becoming the premier rail flaw detection provider in North America.”

Dapco, located in Ridgefield, Conn., is a developer of ultrasonic, non-destructive wheel and rail testing solutions for railroads and other industries. Nordco Rail Services, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., offers an array of ultrasonic testing services to the railroad industry. The newly formed Nordco Rail Services & Inspection Technologies will maintain facilities in both Ridgefield and Lee’s Summit. The Nordco Companies are designers and manufacturers of railroad m/w machinery and railcar movers, and provide a range of related track maintenance and inspection products and services. The company is headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisc. In addition to Ridgefield and Lee’s Summit, Nordco has operations in Oshawa, Ontario; Grandview, Mo.; and Arcola, Ill.