Keeping Rail Moving: How Holland Supports Canada’s Economy and Infrastructure Growth
Posted onAs trade volumes rise and supply chains grow more complex, strong rail infrastructure is more important than ever. One of RAC’s newest Associate Members, Holland, L.P., plays a key role in keeping Canada’s rail network efficient, safe, and sustainable.
A strong rail network is essential to Canada’s supply chains, and Holland helps improve rail efficiency across North America. “Holland’s core business is rail welding, specifically flash-butt welding, which removes the out joints of track and replaces them with a superior weld that helps railroads avoid slow orders,” explains Taisha Poulin, National Sales Manager, Canada. “We also provide track geometry testing that helps railroads find defects and potential points of failure, which helps with velocity and preventing derailments.”
Unlike many suppliers affected by trade fluctuations, Holland’s demand increases alongside rail traffic. “Increased trade volume usually means more things are moving by rail, which leads to an increased need to keep up with track maintenance,” says Poulin. “Our biggest hurdle is ensuring people and equipment are ready to move when the railroads have track time for repairs or testing. Luckily, we have a large fleet and some incredibly special team members who keep things moving.”
Holland also sees a major opportunity in infrastructure investment. “Currently, our infrastructure is funded on an as-needed basis and is generally more reactive than preventative or predictive,” says Poulin. “There is a tremendous opportunity here, not only for growth in supporting the increasing need for maintenance and capital investment but also the need to innovate and deliver solutions faster, more efficiently, and cost-effectively.” With over $100 billion being invested in public transit across Canada in the coming years, Holland is ready to support the increasing need for maintenance, upgrades, and innovation.
Sustainability is another priority, and Holland is taking action while balancing economic goals. “We aim to be a true partner to our team members, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate. This means a commitment to doing business and growing sustainably,” says Poulin. Holland measures its environmental performance through Ecovadis, earning a Bronze Sustainability Rating in 2023 and 2024, with a focus on continuous improvement. Recent innovations include battery-operated welding heads, now in Class 1 revenue service, and HAMR (Holland Automated Manganese Refurbishment), which extends the lifespan of track components, allowing railroads to repair rather than replace.
By focusing on innovation, sustainability, and infrastructure investment, Holland is helping Canada’s rail industry stay competitive and resilient. Welcome to RAC, Holland—we’re excited to have you on board!
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