Chicago-based FreightCar America, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of railroad freight cars, railcar parts and components, has acquired Carly Railcar Components, LLC, (CRC) a family-owned distributor of railcar components based in Irwin, PA near Pittsburgh.

FreightCar said the acquisition strengthens its aftermarket distribution business with a focus on running-repair components — a frequently replaced and highly recurring product category that complements the company’s core offerings and product mix. Through the acquisition, the company believes customers will benefit from reduced lead times and a larger catalog of ready-to-ship railcar components.

“Carly Railcar Components brings highly complementary capabilities that strengthen our position in the railcar aftermarket,” President and CEO Nicholas Randall said in a Dec. 22 news release. “CRC’s long-standing presence in component distribution and its established regional footprint, including a Houston-area facility in Orange, TX, enhances our ability to serve customers with greater speed, reliability and product availability. This acquisition advances our strategic initiatives to build complementary capabilities that deliver enhanced value to our customers.”