Snyder Equipment consolidates local operations into Springfield facility

Railroad industry manufacturer Snyder Equipment has consolidated its local operations into a northwest Springfield facility.

A grand opening event was held Dec. 7 at 4654 W. Junction St., according to a news release. The Snyder Equipment building, formerly used by manufacturer Howden, is near Interstate 44 and Chestnut Expressway.

Snyder Equipment, a more than 80-year-old business, was acquired in 2019 by New York Air Brake LLC, a subsidiary of German manufacturer Knorr-Bremse AG, according to past reporting.

The company's new Springfield facility consolidates operations in the Queen City from properties in Nixa and Wheatland, said Barbara L. Gould, director of North American communications for Knorr-Bremse North America. Eight buildings that previously were used in Nixa and Wheatland have been put up for sale, Gould said.

Gould said Snyder Equipment's capital investment at the Springfield property was $4 million. Full production at the 147,000-square-foot building started in September, according to the release, and the facility houses the company's research, development, engineering, testing, manufacturing, repair and remanufacturing, and administrative teams.

Snyder Equipment has made products for the rail industry since 1936. More than 140 employees work out of the new facility.

“Our manufacturing operations are North American based, serving the needs of the freight and passenger rail industry,” said Ulisses Camilo, New York Air Brake president and CEO, in the release. “The new Springfield center is one more way we continue to address customer demand at the highest level possible today and tomorrow.”