New owner for Hornell's Gray Manufacturing Industries: What stays the same, what changes
A Hornell transit company is under new ownership, but day-to-day operations are expected to remain on track at the company's Ice House Road headquarters.
Gray Manufacturing Industries has been acquired by Irwin Transportation Products, a division of the Irwin Group of Companies based in Irwin, Pennsylvania.
GMI’s operation will remain in Hornell and key leadership personnel will continue in their current positions. Todd Phillips will remain the company’s general manager. Tammy Charles will continue in her materials manager and customer support roles, and Erica Ellis will remain as controller.
“GMI’s customers will continue to receive the same outstanding products and services, and on-time deliveries they have come to expect from the company,” said William Baker, Irwin Group’s President and CEO. “The GMI team that customers have worked with over the years, along with the support and resources of the Irwin team, will bring customers new opportunities for innovation and growth.”
GMI’s management team has more than 90 years of experience in the rail transit industry and the staff has a combined total of more than 250 years of transit experience, according to the company. Tim Coomer, Irwin Transportation Products’ Transit Group Vice President, will now direct GMI’s sales and marketing efforts.
GMI has operated since 2006. It plays a key role in Hornell’s web of companies that provide goods and services to the transit industry. GMI is located on the railroad just south of Alstom's Hornell headquarters.
GMI won a $143 million contract from the Chicago Transit Authority in late 2020 to provide material kits for Phase II of the 5000 Series rail car overhaul. The contract runs through the summer of 2025. Historically, GMI has delivered 300 car sets of truck kits to the CTA for the CTA 2600 Rail Cars, and 100 car sets of equipment to overhaul the CTA 2600 “Budd” Cars.
More:What's next for Hornell's old Steuben County Courthouse building that's under new ownership
Union Square takes shape in Hornell:How new park will change downtown
How GMI carries on legacy of founder David Gray
GMI was founded by David Gray, who served as President and CEO until his unexpected death in July 2021. Gray had extensive experience in the rail industry. He arrived in Hornell in 1990 for a role as Program Manager at Morrison Knudsen and American Passenger Rail Car Company. He later became the Senior Vice President of Operations at TTA in 1997, before starting his own business in his adopted hometown.
Gray was active in many volunteer efforts and charitable endeavors in Hornell. He was especially passionate about St. Ann’s Academy, which has honored his memory with the creation of the David Gray Memorial Fund. The fund is dedicated to seeing through Gray’s vision for a STEM Academy at St. Ann’s. The project is hoping to break ground later this year.
“Dave’s vision was for the STEM Academy to be partners with places like GMI and Alstom to create a passion for engineering or mathematics in these kids at a very young age,” said St. Ann’s board member Chris Brewer.
More:Hornell track standout earns Bill Gray's Athlete of the Week honors
What to know about GMI’s new ownership
GMI joins a growing portfolio of business units owned by Irwin Transportation Products. The company also operates UKM Transportation in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, VECOM USA in Tampa, Florida, Traction Motor Services/Atlas Car Products in Irwin, Pennsylvania, and the ITP Group in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.
Irwin Transportation specializes in train-to-wayside communication, audible warning systems, track switching systems, signals, and control equipment for transit, trolley and tunneling operations. Irwin also rebuilds and repairs trucks (bogies), gear boxes, traction motors and numerous replacement parts.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell's Gray Manufacturing Industries acquired by Irwin Group
