_______________________________________________________________________________ The Greenbrier Companies
The Greenbrier Companies ( Greenbrier ) is a global leader in rail freight equipment and services , with specific expertise in the production , refurbishment , and management of railcars . Tracing its roots to a steel fabrication company formed in 1919 in Portland , Oregon , Greenbrier has since grown to produce , sell , and lease railcars all over the world , powering the movement of essential products around the world .
Based in Lake Oswego , Oregon , Greenbrier is dominant in the North American freight market . It has expanded to manufacturing plants in Mexico too , boosting its annual production capacity to 25,000 units . Further afield , the company also occupies both office and manufacturing space in Europe , as well as in Brazil , enabling it to provide manufacturing and repair services , as well as freight railcar sales and leasing across the three continents .
With an extensive network and an impressive legacy to discuss , we sit down with
Greenbrier ’ s Vice President of Operations , Tony Warwick , who shares his personal experiences of working in the business , as well as the strategy behind the company ’ s recent operations and what to expect in 2024 .
“ Greenbrier has evolved greatly since Bill Furman formed a business to start building container cars in Portland , Oregon ,” Tony opens . “ As the business grew , it diversified to manufacture various other types of railcars to cater to evolving demands . Our geographical footprint also grew , and the business eventually came to manufacture several North American railcar types .”
Its vast portfolio includes auto carriers , boxcars , centerbeams , covered hoppers , flatcars , gondolas , intermodal units , opentop hoppers , and tank cars . Tony elaborates : “ We build railcars that transport just about anything you have in your home , or the commodities that we rely on day-to-day . Railcars are used to transport shipping containers , and we manufacture nearly every
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