Greenbrier promotes Alejandro Arias to general manager at Gunderson-GIMSA

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. [NYSE:GBX] announced today that Alejandro ("Alex") Arias has been promoted to general manager of Gunderson-GIMSA, the Company's joint venture manufacturing operation in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico.  He will report to Alejandro Centurion, president of Greenbrier Manufacturing North America.

Mr. Arias joined Greenbrier in 2012, most recently serving as director of quality assurance at Gunderson-GIMSA.  He previously served as director of manufacturing operations at the Company's Gunderson-Concarril facility in Ciudad Sahagun, Hidalgo, Mexico.  Mr. Arias has 35 years of experience working with multinational transportation equipment manufacturers in Mexico, including work in the freight, automotive and mass transit sectors. 

Prior to joining Greenbrier Mr. Arias spent 13 years at Bombardier Transportation, where he advanced through positions of successive responsibility to the role of general manager of its railcar and locomotive manufacturing facilities in Mexico.  From 1980 through 1998 he served in a range of manufacturing management functions at the Ford Motor Company, with an emphasis on quality control.  Mr. Arias completed his post-secondary education in Mexico and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering in addition to a Master's in Business Administration.

In this new role, Mr. Arias will have direct responsibility for day-to-day operations at the Gunderson-GIMSA facility, where Greenbrier has three production lines manufacturing tank cars and covered hopper cars.  Mr. Arias replaces Brian LaBorde, who has accepted a senior position in the United States with a manufacturer outside the transportation equipment industry.  Mr. LaBorde had served as general manager of Gunderson-GIMSA since 2009.

"Alex's background and management experience, with concentrations on quality control and manufacturing, strengthen our operations at Gunderson-GIMSA," said Centurion.  "Since joining Greenbrier, Alex has established himself as a talented contributor in quality, efficiency, and safety, and we will utilize his skills even more in his new role.  We are confident Alex is the right leader for Gunderson-GIMSA during this period of expansion in our manufacturing operations."

Last quarter, Greenbrier announced the addition of Martin Graham to the North American manufacturing management team.  Graham formerly held top positions at both Trinity Rail as President of North American Freightcar, and at Thrall Car Manufacturing Co. as President and Chief Operating Officer. 

These additions to our manufacturing team will support our goals of safety, quality, and efficiency throughout our Manufacturing segment.  Our objective is to achieve steadily improving manufacturing margins in North America as we increase production to address growth in railcar demand for our diversified product lines.

During the previous fiscal year, Greenbrier produced a record number of tank and railcars and opened a third production facility in Mexico while introducing other production lines across its North American operations, supporting a broad manufacturing capability in various freight car types.  Greenbrier's North American manufacturing revenues reported in 2012 are about five times those in 2010.  In its fiscal year ended August 31, 2012, Greenbrier had manufacturing revenue of $1.25 billion and gross margin of $132 million.

Greenbrier, (www.gbrx.com), headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars in its four manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico and marine barges at its U.S. facility. It also repairs and refurbishes freight cars and provides wheels and railcar parts at 39 locations across North America. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars and refurbishes freight cars for the European market through both its operations in Poland and various subcontractor facilities throughout Europe. Greenbrier owns approximately 9,000 railcars, and performs management services for approximately 225,000 railcars.

SOURCE The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX)