GE Transportation today reported fourth-quarter 2011 revenues of $1.5 billion, up 43% year-over-year. Revenues for 2011 totaled $4.9 billion, a 45% increase from 2010.

Fourth quarter profits were $226 million, up from $73 million in 2010. Profits for 2011 totaled $757, up from $315 million in 2010.

“In 2011 we invested heavily in leading transportation products that drive sustainable infrastructure development in the rail, mining and other industries around the globe,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation. “We staffed for growth and expanded our manufacturing capabilities worldwide. We are well-positioned to help our customers succeed and to capitalize on growth opportunities in 2012.” 

GE Transportation has announced investments of approximately $400 million to upgrade and expand its manufacturing capabilities in the US to meet increasing domestic and global demand of rail and mining equipment.

Read the full press release here.

GE Transportation today announced the signing of a contract with Transnet SOC Limited for 43 GE Model C30ACi locomotives bringing the total number of GE locomotives ordered to 143 since December 2009.

GE Transportation will produce 43 high value locomotive kits in its facilities in Erie and Grove City, Penn for Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) who will assemble the locomotives in South Africa. These locomotives will save approximately 600,000 liters of fuel each year and significantly reduce emissions. Orders totalling 143 new locomotives will contribute to job creation in the U.S and provide infrastructure growth in South Africa.  

Read the news release here.

GE Transportation today announced the completion of its acquisition of software provider RMI from The Carlyle Group.  The acquisition significantly expands GE Transportation’s Software and Optimization Solutions business to serve railroad customers worldwide.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

RMI (www.rmiondemand.com) is a leading provider of transportation management software solutions for railroads, rail shippers, railcar leasing companies, and intermodal services in North America. RMI designs software to help its users improve efficiency and productivity while reducing costs.   

Read the news release here.

Earlier today, GE Transportation announced the construction of a new $35 million diesel remanufacturing plant in Grove City, Pennsylvania. In addition, GE Transportation will also invest $37 million in 2011 and 2012 in the existing Grove City facility for a total investment of $72 million.

The company plans to hire roughly 150 new employees for the new facility to join the approximately 100 employees who will transfer from the existing Grove City plant.

What’s the word from “down under”?

PowerHaul.

GE Transportation and our regional partner, UGL, introduced the PowerHaul Series locomotive for Australia this week at AusRail Plus 2011, the largest rail exhibition in the southern hemisphere with 5,000 attendees and over 300 exhibitors.

The PowerHaul Series is a 3700HP AC locomotive that is designed to be GE and UGL’s most fuel-efficient and emissions capable diesel-electric freight locomotive. The locomotive’s technical specification will meet both heavy haul and high speed freight requirements across the Queensland and Western Australian narrow gauge rail networks.