Winona, MN – Miller Ingenuity was selected to supply their patent pending ZoneGuard yard protection system for use at Koppers Somerville, Texas plant. This agreement will support Koppers, the largest supplier of railroad crossties in North America for Class I and short-line railroads, in their commitment to advancing a Zero Harm culture that places the safety of employees above all else.
The ZoneGuard yard protection system is a new extension within the ZoneGuard electronic RWP product line. The system uses Miller’s unique patented train detection technologies and the setup from the ZoneGuard fixed system to warn workers within a rail yard of any incoming track vehicles or cars being pushed into the facility. Train detectors determine if track vehicles are entering or exiting the facility and workers receive alerts from their wearable devices and the train alert modules mounted throughout the rail yard.
“We are excited to take this next step with our ZoneGuard line of products,” said Kevin Smith, SVP Global Sales & Marketing, Miller Ingenuity. “Yard employees are vulnerable to human error mistakes that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. This new product ensures they have a secondary form of protection that allows them to perform their jobs safely and efficiently. We are proud that our ZoneGuard technology will help enhance rail safety for our industry’s hardworking employees, no matter where they are working.”
“At Koppers, our team is steadfastly dedicated to finding new ways to advance our Zero Harm culture,” said Joe Dowd, Koppers Vice President of Zero Harm. “The impressive idea to have a system whereby workers in our rail yard could be immediately notified of cars being moved around the tracks came from an employee through our internal innovation program. We are thankful that with the help and expertise of Miller Ingenuity, that idea has become reality. The ZoneGuard yard protection system is now one more way we can better ensure the safety of our people.”
MORE ABOUT ZONEGUARD
ZoneGuard’s train detection modules (TDMs) and train alert modules (TAMs) form a communication network that detects track vehicles entering an active work zone. Once detected, the system sends a signal to each worker’s wearable device. ZoneGuard’s technology allows it to be flexible for every customer’s unique environment. The ZoneGuard fixed system is currently installed on 30-miles of Maryland MTA’s light rail line while the portable system is deployed with MUNI, San Diego Trolley, and with a general engineering contractor out of the San Francisco Bay Area.
ABOUT MILLER
Miller Ingenuity, a manufacturing company based in Winona, MN, is a global supplier of lifesaving, high technology safety systems and services that surpass rail-safety standards. For more than 70 years, the organization has demonstrated the ability to conceptualize, design, produce and deliver railroad parts that meet the current and emerging needs of the industry. For more information, visit milleringenuity.com.
ABOUT KOPPERS
Koppers, with corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds. Our products and services are used in a variety of niche applications in a diverse range of end-markets, including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber, and construction industries. We serve our customers through a comprehensive global manufacturing and distribution network, with facilities located in North America, South America, Australasia and Europe. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KOP.” For more information, visit us at: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Michael Zugay at 412-227- 2231 or Quynh McGuire at 412-227-2049.
