Crystal Lake firm blazes trail in train safety systems
More than a century ago, railroads made Chicago the "Crossroads of America." Goods and passengers crisscrossing the country came though the region, making it a vital link in the growth of the nation.
Today, a small company in Crystal Lake is leading the rail industry into the technology-driven 21st century. Metrom Rail develops and supplies safety and control systems for rail companies and mass transit networks in North America.
The company is an industry pioneer in ultra wideband radio frequency technology, which is the basis for its Aura product line that ranges from signal controls and system monitoring to worker safety, collision avoidance and positive train control systems.
The technology monitors real time speed and distance and can alert train operators when there is another train ahead, whether maintenance workers are on or near tracks, or if there is problem with the tracks ahead. Systems can also automatically slow or stop a moving train to avoid a collision.
"We are the only company on earth to provide ultra wideband-based train control systems," said Rick Carlson Jr., director of corporate strategy.
It's the technology that is the 40-person company's niche in a market dominated by global giants such as German conglomerate Siemens. Metrom Rail was started by co-founders Jim Marchi and Rick Carlson Sr. in 2010 after they saw the need to update technology in the rail industry.
"In many cases, railways were still using technology - such as signals - that were for the early 1900s," he said. "As a result, Metrom Rail was launched with the intention of either re-engineering existing solutions, or bringing in new alternatives to the industry."
The company first started with developing new signal systems, and by 2012 developed the ultra wideband technology that is the basis of its products today.
Carlson said its products are developed by an "overlay" of existing rail system infrastructure, which makes it more cost efficient to implement. That makes it ideal for urban areas in particular, where space to replace and upgrade existing infrastructure may be limited - and is where positive train control systems are most in need. It also allows Metrom Rail to customize a system that can meet a client's specific needs.
"Our goal is to provide something that caters to the individual needs of the customers, as opposed to this big concept of positive train control as one out-of-box massive infrastructure type of system," Carlson said.
All of its products are designed, assembled and tested at the Crystal Lake facility, Carlson said.
Metrom Rail also focuses on finding components from local suppliers.
As a small company, Metrom Rail is often able to be more nimble than its larger competitors when dealing with customers.
But Carlson notes it also means they have to make sure what they bring to the table can beat what the competition can offer.
"Every time we deploy a product in the field, we have to assure the results are better than perfect, not only for our customers, but in comparison to what those large suppliers who have been in this game for decades can do."
That determination recently earned the company recognition as one of 19 finalists for New York City Metropolitan Transit Agency's Genius Transit Challenge.
The challenge seeks innovative solutions to improve service and expand capacity on the 113-year-old New York subway system.
Metrom Rail was among 400 companies to apply for the challenge, and if selected, will receive up to a $1 million "genius" award for the project.
The winners are expected to be announced in the first quarter of this year.
"Our team has created an ambitious vision for the future of transit, and we look forward to seeing what direction the challenge takes transit technology in 2018," Carlson said.
Metrom Rail's ultra wideband technology has become a game changer in the industry, as it has forced the competition to look at how technology can be a part of their systems as well, Carlson said.
"Our little company is driving much of the innovation and is changing the way our competitors even think about their own level of innovation," he said. "But we don't take that for granted. It's going to be our responsibility to ensure this technology moves forward in a way that makes sense for everybody.
"We control our own destiny when it comes to the technology."
Metrom Rail1125 Mitchell CourtCrystal Lake, IL 60014(855) 943-8726sales@metrom-rail.comwww.metrom-rail.comIndustry: Rail safety and control systemsFounded: 2010Top executives: Jim Marchi, founder and CEO; Rick Carlson Sr., Founder and COO
Metrom Rail
<b>1125 Mitchell Court</b><b>Crystal Lake, IL 60014</b><b>(855) 943-8726</b><b>sales@metrom-rail.com</b><b>metrom-rail.com</b>Industry: Rail safety and control systems
Founded: 2010
Top executives: Jim Marchi, founder and CEO; Rick Carlson Sr., founder and COO
Number of employees: 40
Offices nationwide: 1