News And Events
One Equity Partners Invests in Rail Services Provider Metro East Industries
NEW YORK - September 1, 2026 - One Equity Partners ("OEP"), a middle market private equity
firm, today announced that it is partnering with Metro East Industries ("MEI" or "the Company"]
a national provider of railcar and locomotive maintenance and repair services. Terms of the
private transaction were not disclosed. Republic Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to
MEI in the transaction.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Alorton, Illinois, MEI's main campus is strategicaly
located at the nexus of rail activity in the center of the United States, and it has six complimentary mobile service locations that extend MEI's service footprint nationwide. The Company provides services to Class 1 railroads, rail leasing companies, short lines, and other rolling stock and locomotive operators.
"Rail is a vital pillar of the North American economy, and rail services is a market in which OEP
has prior experience. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Ortyl family and to be supporting
the Company's next phase of growth while maintaining its heritage of excellence for customers
and employees," said J.B. Cherry, Partner at One Equity Partners, "MEI is a differentiated leader
in rail car and locomotive services, and we look forward to partnering with the team through
continued investment into base operations and investments to broaden its capabilities and
service offerings," added Haley Citrome, Vice President at One Equity Partners.
"Our family is proud of the business we and the MEI team have built over the years, and we are
excited to pursue the next chapter of MEI's legacy alongside the One Equity team," sald MEI's
President and Co-founder Gayle Ortyl. Cindy Tampow, MEI's Vice President of Administration
added, "MEI has a successful track record of innovation, leadership, and growth driven by our
dedicated employees. We look forward to working closely with our new partners to continue this
trajectory," Rick Ortyl, MEI's CEO said, "MEI has a tradition of unmatched work ethic and
commitment to quality. Given OEP's experience investing in and growing specialty industrial
services businesses, we believe we have found the right partner to support MEI's continued
growth while remaining focused on delivering exceptional service to our customers."
About One Equity Partners
One Equity Partners ("OEP"] is a middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial,
healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. The firm seeks to build
market-leading companies by identifying and executing transformative business combinations.
OEP is a trusted partner with a differentiated investment process, a broad and senior team, and
an established track record generating long-term value for its partners. Founded in 2001, the
firm spun out of JP Morgan in 2015 and has completed more than 500 transactions worldwide.
OEP has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. For more information, please
visit www.oneequity.com.
About Metro East Industries
Founded in 1990 by the Ortyl family in Alorton, Illinois, Metro East Industries entered the
industry with railcar repair services for railroads, leasing companies and private shippers. The
Company expanded in 1995 by adding a locomotive division providing repair services, both in
the shop and in the field, allowing MEI to offer an even broader spectrum of services to Class 1
railroads, short line railroads, leasing companies, OEMs and industrial accounts. The Company
also operates five mobile service locations. After more than 30 years in business, the team has
grown to approximately 490 experienced employees. Learn more at www.metroeastinc.com.
Contact
Thomas Zadvydas
(646) 502-3538
tzadyydas@stantonorm.com
Charity Campaign Results
| For Pets - Gateway Pet Guardians | $ 82,995 |
|---|---|
| For Kids - Christian Activity Center | $ 74,625 |
| For Tornado Victims - American Red Cross | $ 98,835 |
| Total Contributed | $256,455 |
RR Mergers Announces Metro East Industries acquisition of Locomotive Mobile Repair Company - Midwest Maintenance Service
St. Louis, June, 20, 2021 - RR Mergers & Acquisitions announces the sale of Midwest Maintenance Service to Metro East Industries.
From its Burlington, Iowa headquarters, Midwest Maintenance Service, has completed more than 7,000 locomotive service field calls.
Operating as a division of Metro East Industries, Midwest Maintenance Service will continue performing mobile running repairs, refurbishing and modernizing railroad locomotives.
Following its 2020 acquisition of Pennsylvania-based locomotive field services company Rail Mechanical Services, the acquisition of Midwest Maintenance Service broadens Metro East Industries growing network of locomotive and railcar mobile maintenance providers.
About Metro East Industries
Founded in 1990 by the Ortyl family, Metro East Industries provides railcar and locomotive repair and maintenance, both in the shop and on-the-rail, offering a broad spectrum of services to Class 1 railroads, short line railroads, leasing companies, original equipment manufacturers and industrial clients. From its state-of-art facilities, spanning more than 100 acres on the Illinois side of the St. Louis metropolitan area, Metro East Industries has blasting, painting and lining shops, locomotive shops, locomotive paint shop and scrapping/reclamation area, along with railcar and locomotive storage yards.
About Midwest Maintenance Service
Founded in 1998 by Joe Nichols, Midwest Maintenance Service performs locomotive engine change, remote control work, electrical troubleshooting, modification and re-wiring, mechanical troubleshooting and traction control installation. The Company performs its services, primarily for EMD locomotives in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri and Tennessee. Company customers include ADM, Cargill, Genesee & Wyoming, Gavilon, Growmark and Watco.
About RR Mergers & Acquisitions
RR Mergers & Acquisitions identified Metro East Industries as the strategic and financial acquirer and coordinated ownership meetings, due diligence, and assisted Midwest Maintenance Service in successfully negotiating the transaction. Specializing in the sale of rail sector companies, RR Mergers advises owners of rail services and rail supplier companies and short line railroads, in the confidential sale of their company.
Rick Ortyl, of Metro East Industries and Joe and Sally Nichols of Midwest Maintenance Service, center back row, with their locomotive mobile repair team and management. May 27, 2021, Burlington, Iowa.
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