Rail Management Services snaps up Pinnacle Rail Operations

The purchase of Pinnacle Rail Operations, which operates seven automobile terminals in the United States for Class I railroads, will result in about a 10-fold increase in Rail Management Services’ automotive business.    Rail Management Services (RMS), an affiliate of SSA Marine, has acquired Pinnacle Rail Operations, Inc.
   Pinnacle operates seven auto terminals in Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas for Class I railroads, servicing global automotive manufacturers with an annual volume of 1.2 million vehicles.
   “This is a strategic growth initiative for RMS to expand its rail services and provide synergies with SSA Marine in the area of automobile stevedoring, processing and logistics,” said John Gray, the chief executive officer of RMS.
   RMS is one of the largest rail yard operators in the world, with more than 35 facilities in 14 U.S. states. It handles 12 million TEUs annually at intermodal container terminals, with customers including CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF and Union Pacific.
   While RMS operates an auto facility in Jacksonville, Fla. that handles around 120,000-150,000 automobiles annually, the Pinnacle acquisition will further diversify the company and greatly expand its involvement in the automobile business.
   Dennis Rodgers, owner of Pinnacle Rail, will come on board to lead the RMS Auto Division – namely PRS Auto.