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Holden America’s New Universal Storage Pad Allows for Storage of All Bi-Level Chocks – No Matter the Manufacturer.
Montreal, Quebec, February 15, 2021 – Holden America has announced they began shipping their Universal Storage Pads to the market late last year.
Holden America has innovated a universal bi-level autorack storage device capable of accommodating all vehicle securement chocks available in today’s bi-level Market, including their legacy Grate-Lock™ and new generation Grip-Lock chock systems. Their new Universal Storage Pad (USP) standardizes chock storage and can replace all existing storage devices equipped on the current bi-level autorack population. It is being well received by the railroads as it simplifies maintenance operations both in the field and with railcar conversions.
“We knew there was an opportunity to provide more value to our customers with a storage pad design that would accommodate chocks from every manufacturer,” remarked Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America.
“No matter what chocks may be in use in a railcar, our USP is now the only storage device necessary.”
The USP offers benefits for field operations, railcar conversions and new railcar manufacturing. In the field, the UPS eliminates the need to stock multiple types of storage device designs, lowering the value of stocked inventory and reducing inventory management issues. Standardization of storage devices eases decision making in the purchasing choice for rail car conversions and new railcar manufacturing. Once installed in railcars, the Universal Storage Pad can also reduce labor time during chock replacements, since the chock storage devices would not also need to be replaced at the same time.
“We are very excited about the enthusiasm for this product in the industry,” added Pietrobon. “Our team will continue to work on more innovations for the railroads.
Other Holden America railroad industry innovations include Grate-Guard™, a bi-level grating theft prevention system, the Grip-Lock chock, the best performing bi-level chock on the market, and a modular grating system packaged to allow quick installation for railcar conversions.
Chicago, IL, February 8, 2019
Holden America’s Grip-Lock™ Chock Receives Unconditional Approval from The Association of American Railroads
Holden America today officially announced that the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Special Equipped Freightcar Committee has granted their Grip-Lock™ Chock system with Unconditional Approval.
Holden America first received Conditional Approval from the AAR for their Grip-Lock™ Chock System in 2013. Since that time Holden America’s Chock System has continued to outperform all other chocks in the market. NO other bi-level chock has received Unconditional Approval from the AAR.
“We consider the AAR’s unconditional approval to be a significant milestone for our Grip-Lock Chock System. Our system stands alone with this achievement, and this approval has been supported by the chock’s best-in-class performance since its introduction” shared Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America. “I’m proud of our entire team at Holden America. Our focus will remain on innovation, performance, and service as we continue to meet and exceed the needs of our customers.”
The Grip-Lock™ Chock System remains the most durable and user-friendly product in the market, that also offers the best vehicle protection. The low-profile, high-capacity system was originally designed in response to auto shipper’s evolving bi-level system requirements. It is proven to offer many benefits, including being lightweight, the easiest to install and remove, safely allowing for closer spacing of vehicles and allowing for faster loading times.
Other Holden America railroad industry innovations include Grate-GuardTM, a bi-level grating theft prevention system, and a modular grating system packaged to allow quick installation for railcar conversions.
Holden America Expands into New Chicago Facility to Accommodate Continued Growth Across Product Lines
Holden America today officially announced their recent completion of an expansive new facility at 6230 S Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL. With over 35,000 sq ft, the facility offers dedicated areas for product manufacturing and reconditioning, in-stock products and parts, testing and research, sales and service offices and space for staff development and meetings. Holden America continues to operate two other facilities in Canada and Mexico.
“Our investment in a new and much bigger facility addresses our increased need to optimize our production space to manufacturer our products and stock more in-demand inventory in the Midwest while we continue to explore new and better ways to help our customers. Our people now have a facility that allows them to do their jobs better. That makes us a more efficient supplier,” shared Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America.
Jim Schmidt, Director of Manufacturing and Field Operations, emphasized how the new facility has had a positive impact in many aspects of their business. “We took the opportunity to redesign workflows and production lines. Our team now operates more efficiently and safely. We have the room we need to properly store and move raw materials and products, and we have a much greater capacity for inventory. The bottom line is it’s good for our employees and our customers.”
Holden America continues to deliver innovations to the railroad industry. Their Grip-LockTM Chock System was designed in response to auto shipper’s bi-level system requirements and has been quickly adopted as the system of choice for railcar automobile securement. Their latest innovations include Grate-GuardTM, a bi-level grating theft prevention system, and a modular grating system packaged to allow quick installation for railcar conversions.
“We are committed to innovation that makes our products perform better and adds value for our customers,” noted Pietrobon. “Innovation, product quality, and customer service have always been and will continue to be our top priorities.”
Grate-GuardTM Bi-Level Grating-Theft Prevention System
As a pro-active response to an increasing industry-wide problem Holden America has designed, and successfully tested a new grating theft prevention system for bi-level autorack rail cars Beginning in Fall 2017, Holden’s Grate-Guard will be available for installation on new rail cars, or it can be retrofitted to install on existing autoracks.
“We saw that a lot of bi-level autoracks were being held out of service due to grating theft and decided we needed to prevent this from happening to our customers” stated Jim Schmidt, Director of Manufacturing and Field Operations of Holden America.
The Grate-Guard Theft Prevention System provides insurance against theft for rail car owners.
“When you weigh the cost of autorack grating replacement and the associated out-of-service time with the cost of installing this theft prevention system it’s easy to see the value in the Grate-Guard System.” noted Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America.
Skillfully Designed, Tested and Proven.
- Locks down each grating panel at the hinge, in two places
- Designed to be installed anywhere (in the field or at pre-trip locations) by anyone
- Does not interfere with the normal operation or rotation of the grating (to allow grating to be lifted for cleaning)
- Rigorously tested and proven
- Packaged with a complete single railcar kit that includes 56 locks (2 per grate panel) and instructions
Order Grate-Guard
You can specify installation of the Grate-Guard Grating Theft Prevention System when you order equipment or contact us to order the system for your existing rail cars.
For Immediate Release
March 29, 2017
Holden America Establishes Holden America de Mexico
Holden America has opened a chock system distribution facility located in Ramos Arizpe, just north of Saltillo.
Driven primarily by increased production, the demand for Holden’s vehicle securement products and services has been growing with customers in Mexico. Fueled by an increased demand for its Grip-LockTM Chock system, as well as the aftermarket services for its legacy Grate-Lock™ Chock system, Holden’s footprint has expanded within Mexico.
“This facility in Mexico enables us to offer our customers more timely delivery without the need for costly and time consuming cross-border transactions.” stated Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America.
“Establishing Holden America de Mexico allows us to leverage our local service and sales contacts and will result in lower transportation and logistics costs for our customers” Pietrobon continued.
It will be business as usual for all of our customers. Holden America de Mexico serves as an extension of Holden’s Chicago-based facilities, so everyone can expect the same quality and customer service that Holden America always delivers.
Market News: 4 Grip-LockTM Chocks Approved under AAR Standard S-810-2014
At its September 2015 Meeting, the AAR’s Special Equipped Freightcar Committee approved the use of Holden America’s 4-Chock Grip-LockTM Chock System.
In response to the market’s demand for a robust, yet economical vehicle securement system, Holden America rigorously tested its best-in-class Grip-Lock chock system using only 4 chocks, according to the requirements of AAR Standard 801-2014. The outcome of this testing demonstrated once again that Holden America’s Grip-Lock Chock remains the most durable and user-friendly of any other chocks tested, while still offering the best vehicle protection. In addition, Field Service tests conducted confirmed the benefits of using this low profile system to secure a wide range of vehicles. The Grip-Lock Chock System is lightweight, the easiest to install and remove, safely allows for closer spacing of vehicles and allows for a faster loading time. All vehicles, including Heavy Duty pickup trucks, were tested and AAR approved for performance with the 4 chocks, whereas existing systems require 6 chocks for HD pickup trucks in particular.
“The innovation and evolution of our product has always been driven by what the market demands so we’re pleased to offer our 4 Chock Grip-Lock System as a tested and approved alternative for vehicle securement.” stated Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America. “Our commitment to safety and quality will always influence the engineering of our products. Our 8 Chock System is indisputably the best performing system on the market, however, we recognize that some customers may seek a more cost-effective solution.” Noted Pietrobon.
For more information on the 4 Chock Grip-Lock System contact Holden America at info@holdenamerica.com, or at 514-313-8332.
For Immediate Release
March 16, 2015
Holden America and Ramptech, Inc. Form Strategic Merger
Montreal, Quebec – January 5, 2015 – Holden America announced that is has merged with Ramptech, Inc.
“Two entities with excellent reputations and experience in autorack vehicle securement have come together to combine their expertise,” Bruno Pietrobon, President of Holden America stated. “We can now offer our clients a single source for our best in class products & services, including superior aftermarket maintenance and support.”
Holden America products are in service daily on literally every major freight railroad in North America. Ramptech, Inc has been the exclusive aftermarket distributor of Holden America’s Chock systems since 1993. The merger is a logical collaboration where customers will surely stand to benefit.
Pietrobon will continue to lead Holden America, as he has for over 13 years, by embodying and nurturing their proven commitment to industry leadership, innovation and safety. “The merger will allow Holden America to address the complete and ever-changing demands of the railroads’ vehicle securement needs. For the most part, we will be business as usual. Our customers can expect the same outstanding service they have always received. The benefit will be a broader range of customer service and greater operational efficiency.”
“Our goal is to keep as many autoracks in service as possible, using the well-established system we are known for,” concluded Pietrobon.
About Holden America
Holden America is well known for best in class quality products and outstanding post-sale service and support earning them an established reputation for being a trusted business partner for the railroad industry.
Learn more about Holden America by visiting www.holdenamerica.com, or calling 514.313.8332.
About Ramptech Inc.
Ramptech is a Chicago based, ISO 9001 company that offers new and reconditioned chock systems and system components for Holden America’s primary and supplementary chock systems.