NEW YORK, April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumitomo Corporation of America in conjunction with its car builder partner Nippon Sharyo, entered into contract on March 29, 2011, with Metrolinx in Toronto, Canada to supply 12 Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs). The contract price is $53 million for 12 DMUs and includes an option for Metrolinx to purchase up to an additional 6 cars.  If the option is exercised, the total contract would amount to $75 million.  These vehicles are scheduled for delivery in 2014, and will be the first vehicle delivery to Canada for the Sumitomo Corporation of America/ Nippon Sharyo team.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110401/NY75815-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110401/NY75815-b )

The new DMUs will be used for the Air Rail Link (ARL), which is an express rail link that will connect Pearson Airport with Union Station in downtown Toronto – Canada's two busiest transportation hubs. The ARL service will be operational by 2015, in time for the Pan Am Games, and will offer a critical transit alternative to the five million car trips that take place every year between these destinations.

According to Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx, "We are excited to be taking the next step towards providing a link from the busiest airport to the busiest passenger rail hub in Canada.  This rail link is a vital transit service for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, improving traffic congestion and providing passengers with more travel options across the region."

These unique DMU vehicles are new to North America.   In order to have vehicles delivered in time for public use of the Air Rail Link service, prior to the Pan Am Games in 2015, and to receive the benefits of very competitive vehicle pricing, Metrolinx combined their procurement requirements with the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Procurement Contract and entered formal negotiations to purchase up to 18 DMUs from Sumitomo Corporation of America. The vehicles for Metrolinx will meet the same stringent Tier 4 emissions standards and incorporate Crush Energy management (CEM) features. 

Gino Antoniello, Vice President, Transportation Systems Unit, Sumitomo Corporation of America said, "We are very proud of this contract award from Metrolinx.  It not only represents our first entry into the Canadian marketplace for our team, but it confirms that the DMU is a remarkable product.  This contract highlights the fact that DMUs with Tier 4 engines are a very environmentally-friendly technology.  Because diesel propulsion can be modified to electric propulsion, this DMU will suit cities that have plans to build new electric rail infrastructure in the future.  I believe we will see more and more municipalities looking at this technology as a way to start up a first-time rail transit system, or use it as a feeder link to larger commuter systems."

Sumitomo has 50 years of contract management experience in bringing transportation systems to life. As a prime contractor, the company has developed, managed and delivered transit systems for Chicago's Metra, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the Maryland Mass Transit Administration, California's CALTRANS Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, the Los Angeles County MTA, the Virginia Railway Express, and will begin delivery to SMART at the end of 2013.  Sumitomo has supplied Automated People Mover (APM) systems for the Washington Dulles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Miami International Airport.  

Sumitomo's global network has been involved in building various types of transit systems around the world, including light rail systems in Manila, Philippines, people mover systems at Hong Kong's new airport at Chek Lap Kok, and other systems in Japan.

About Nippon Sharyo

Nippon Sharyo, founded in 1896, has manufactured railroad vehicles for more than 100 years and has annual sales of over $1,100 million. A world leader in the manufacturing of the Gallery car, the company also owns the largest market share of Japanese "Shinkansen" bullet train sets. In October 2010, they announced that they will establish its own passenger railcar production facility in Rochelle, Illinois, with startup of operations expected by 3rd quarter 2012.

About Sumitomo Corporation of America

Established in 1952, and headquartered in New York City, SCOA has 10 offices in major U.S. cities, as well as in the major Canadian cities of Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.  SCOA is the largest wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, one of the world's leading traders of goods and services. As an integrated business enterprise, the firm has emerged as a major organizer of multinational projects, an expediter of ideas, an important international investor and financier, and a powerful force for distribution of products and global communications through a network of offices worldwide.  For more information visit www.sumitomocorp.com.

SOURCE Sumitomo Corporation of America