HBC Barge Acquired By Trinity Industries

Trinity Industries, Inc., Dallas, Texas, has acquired HBC Barge, Inc., Brownsville, Pa., a shipbuilder which has constructed 4,000 barges since its founding in 1938. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

HBC Barge, located on a 43-acre site about 40 miles south of Pittsburgh on the Monongahela River, joins eight other shipyards in the Trinity Marine Group, New Orleans, La. The barge builder has covered facilities for year-round construction and a 300-foot marine railway for vessel repair.

In making the announcement, John Dane III, president of the Trinity Marine Group, said, "We are pleased to acquire HBC because of its excellent reputation for building high quality barges and because the acquisition will make us more competitive in obtaining contracts for barges which will operate on the upper Mississippi River and its tributaries." He added that HBC will continue to be operated by its current management and no major changes are anticipated.

HBC currently has a backlog of 115 barges. It builds hopper barges and tank barges, and has built tug and push boats. Best known for its 195-foot coal barges, HBC can construct vessels up to 300 feet.

HBC is also known for technical innovation in design and production including an automatic welding technique which eliminates the variability of man-made plug welds. Mr.

Dane said the new weld called "HBC Steelfuse" has proven stronger than the surrounding steel. The benefits are longer vessel life and reduced maintenance, according to Mr. Dane.

Other members of the Trinity Marine Group include Halter Marine, Inc., Moss Point Marine, Inc., Equitable Shipyards, Inc., Gretna Machine Iron Works, Inc., Aluminum Boats, Inc., and recently acquired Thunderbolt Shipbuilding and Repair, Inc.

For free literature detailing the shipbuilding services of the Trinity Marine Group, C i r c l e 2 8 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 5, Mar 1989

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