Canadian National Railway (CN) announced on Dec. 10, 2015 a new long-term contract with Amsted Rail to produce one million wheels for use at its Transcona mechanical facility.
The new wheels will be produced over the next 10 years at Griffin Wheel Company in Winnipeg, one of Amsted Rail's five wheel manufacturing plants in North America and the only one in Canada.
"CN has a long and successful partnership with Amsted Rail and its Griffin Wheel Company facility in Winnipeg," said Gerry Weber, Vice President Supply, Fleet and Fuel Management of CN. "We are pleased to renew our partnership and solidify CN's business relationships in the city of Winnipeg."
"Amsted Rail looks forward to continuing to provide CN with the highest quality wheels on the market," said Wayne Luce, Vice President, Human Resources of Amsted Rail. "Both CN and Amsted Rail have a history of dedication to excellence, coupled with a shared commitment to our employees and the community, making this an ideal venture."
"Using 100% recycled steel to build one million wheels, Amsted Rail and CN are showing Winnipeg workers they can have an international reach—literally linking states and provinces—and still have their biggest impact at home by providing more than 170 well paying jobs here in our city," said Kevin Chief, Manitoba Minister of Jobs and the Economy. "Their world-class workers and world-class products are helping Manitoba have one of the fastest growing economies in Canada."
"CN and Griffin Wheel are both important contributors to our city's economy," said Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman. "The city of Winnipeg applauds this long-term partnership that exemplifies the commitment to employees and the community being made by these two companies who have deep roots in our city."
Winnipeg is home to CN's Transcona Shops, where wheels are mounted on axles and become wheelsets installed on freight cars moving on CN's rail lines. The city is also home to Symington Yard, one of CN's largest rail car switching facilities, and CN Campus, a state-of-the-art national employee-training center that opened last year.