LAKEVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Halfway between Syracuse and Rochester, N.Y., Wayne and Monroe counties are home to more than 150 industrial and manufacturing firms, including several Fortune 500 companies. These companies site their facilities in the region because of excellent market access, a highly skilled workforce, favorable industrial development conditions and a modern transportation network that features rail.
Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Corporation (LA&L) attained control of the Ontario Midland Railroad Corp. (OMID), which operates more than 50 miles of track in the two counties, with the acquisition of 55% of the company’s stock on September 16, 2022. The required Surface Transportation Board authorization for the move was previously completed.
The acquisition, the terms of which were not disclosed, expands LA&L’s ownership or control to four short line railroads.
“The addition of the OMID lines to the LA&L family of railroads makes so much sense from a logistical standpoint. It is local to our northwestern New York and Pennsylvania operations, and we have enjoyed a long-standing, productive relationship with previous owners Sandra and Paul Saracen,” said Nancy Bailey, LA&L’s Chairperson. “The OMID will integrate well with LA&L’s culture, which focuses on safety, customer service and being an employer of choice for the region and within the rail industry.”
The Ontario Midland Railroad is headquartered in Sodus, N.Y., interchanges with CSX Transportation at Newark, N.Y. and serves customers handling commodities in the foodservice, chemicals and lumber businesses. The client roster currently includes Thatcher Group Chemicals, Motts, K. M. Davies Co. and several other companies.
“We are excited to add the 52-mile OMID line to our existing network of more than 400 track miles,” said Jeff Bauman, Vice President of Marketing for LA&L, who is adding the title of President of OMID to his existing duties. “During our due diligence visits, we found a great team of well-trained employees, sound infrastructure and a solid business base of customers from which to continue the growth of this railroad.”
About the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads
Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads safely serves freight customers across western New York and Pennsylvania with pride and distinction, offering multiple interchanges with Class 1 railroads and award-winning logistics solutions. The Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad (LAL) operates in Livingston and Monroe Counties, south of Rochester, while B&H Rail Corp. (BH) serves Steuben County, northwest of Corning, NY. The affiliated Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP) covers southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. The company actively works with the area economic development agencies and related groups to bring rail-served industrial, manufacturing and logistics companies to the region. More information is available at https://lalrr.com.
