About CAD Railway Industries

Our Mission

CAD Railway Industries’ mission is to improve the quality of life in our communities by renewing the fleet of railcars and locomotives which serve as a backbone to our economy and green mobility. By renewing and improving existing assets, we minimise the carbon footprint vs new equipment manufacturing while improving the safety and functionality of the fleet.

Core Values

We put the needs of our customers and colleagues at the heart of everything we do.

We keep our promises and take full ownership of our responsibilities every day.

We adapt rapidly to rise to challenges and seize opportunities.

We foster a continuous learning environment to grow, innovate, and improve.
We are committed to exceeding expectations in all we do.

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Company at a Glance

Founded

1968 

Headquarters

Lachine, Quebec, Canada 

Specialization

Locomotive & Railcar Repair and Refurbishment 

Service Area

Canada & United States 

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Our History

From a mom-and-pop shop in the 1960’s to a multi-faceted company today, CAD has a rich history

2022

Selected by the Onxpress consortium to perform running maintenance on the Metrolinx legacy fleet for 2025 to 2048

2020

CAD and its subsidiaries become part of the Sojitz Transit & Railway Canada Inc.’s property

2018

CAD acquires PRO-SPERE, an engineering company based in Montreal that specialises in the transportation industry

2017

CAD acquires Caltrax, a full railcar service facility based in Calgary Alberta

2015

CAD accepts a new partner in the the Sojitz Coporation which acquires a minority stake in Cad’s shareholding

2011

CAD becomes a member of the FTM group. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec becomes an investor

1995

CAD invests in state-of-the-art lab / testing facility to conduct performance, fuel consumption and emission tests.

1993

CAD begins the manufacturing and repair for rolling stock including passenger & freight locomotives and freight cars

1968

CAD began supplying services for rail, marine & mining. Initially supplying fuel injection parts, then evolving into repairing diesel engines and related components

Our History

From a mom-and-pop shop in the 1960’s to a multi-faceted company today, CAD has a rich history

January 1st, CAD Rail Fleet Services, a subsidiary of CAD Rail, starts the execution of the Metrolinx maintenance fleet

Selected by the Onxpress consortium to perform running maintenance on the Metrolinx legacy fleet for 2025 to 2048

CAD and its subsidiaries become part of the Sojitz Transit & Railway Canada Inc.’s property

CAD acquires PRO-SPERE, an engineering company based in Montreal that specialises in the transportation industry

CAD acquires Caltrax, a full railcar service facility based in Calgary Alberta

CAD accepts a new partner in the the Sojitz Coporation which acquires a minority stake in Cad’s shareholding

CAD becomes a member of the FTM group. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec becomes an investor

CAD invests in state-of-the-art lab / testing facility to conduct performance, fuel consumption and emission tests.

CAD begins the manufacturing and repair for rolling stock including passenger & freight locomotives and freight cars

CAD began supplying services for rail, marine & mining. Initially supplying fuel injection parts, then evolving into repairing diesel engines and related components

Our History

From a mom-and-pop shop in the 1960’s to a multi-faceted company today, CAD has a rich history

January 1st, CAD Rail Fleet Services, a subsidiary of CAD Rail, starts the execution of the Metrolinx maintenance fleet

Selected by the Onxpress consortium to perform running maintenance on the Metrolinx legacy fleet for 2025 to 2048

CAD and its subsidiaries become part of the Sojitz Transit & Railway Canada Inc.’s property

CAD acquires PRO-SPERE, an engineering company based in Montreal that specialises in the transportation industry

CAD acquires Caltrax, a full railcar service facility based in Calgary Alberta

CAD accepts a new partner in the the Sojitz Coporation which acquires a minority stake in Cad’s shareholding

CAD becomes a member of the FTM group. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec becomes an investor

CAD invests in state-of-the-art lab / testing facility to conduct performance, fuel consumption and emission tests.

CAD begins the manufacturing and repair for rolling stock including passenger & freight locomotives and freight cars

CAD began supplying services for rail, marine & mining. Initially supplying fuel injection parts, then evolving into repairing diesel engines and related components

Our Leadership Team

Our executive team brings expertise in rail operations, infrastructure, and transportation technology. With a strong focus on innovation, safety, and efficiency, they lead our efforts to shape the future of the railway industry while upholding its core values of reliability and performance.

David Van der Wee

President & CEO

David Van der Wee assumed the role of President & CEO of CAD Rail in October 2025. Prior to joining CAD Rail, David served as Vice-President, Rolling Stock and Components, North America at Alstom, where he played a key leadership role within the passenger rail sector. His professional background spans several industries, including aerospace, building and construction materials, and passenger rail, providing him with a broad technical and operational foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University, specializing in Metallurgical Engineering. This strong technical background, combined with his extensive industry experience, supports his expertise in organizational leadership, operational performance, and strategic business growth.

Adam de Groot

Vice President, Operations – Freight

Adam de Groot has served as Vice President of Operations – Freight at CAD Railway Industries since 2024, following the strategic alignment of the company’s railcar repair businesses in Western and Eastern Canada. In this role, he oversees operational strategies and ensures efficiency across all freight repair operations.
Adam joined CAD Rail in January 2022 as General Manager of Caltrax, managing railcar repair operations in Western Canada under the Caltrax brand. Prior to his tenure at CAD Rail, he spent 20 years in the Aerospace sector, supporting the Gas Turbine MRO industry, where he developed deep expertise in operational excellence and process improvement.
Adam holds a certification as an Aviation Maintenance Engineering from NCTC and specialises in LEAN Leadership and Operational Excellence. His leadership approach focuses on driving continuous improvement, optimizing processes, and fostering team development to achieve organizational goals.

Kian Motaraghi

Vice President, Business Development and Projects

Kian Motaraghi joined CAD Railway Industries in September 2025. He previously served as General Manager at CAD Rail Fleet Services, bringing more than 25 years of international expertise in engineering, construction, project management, and commercial management across transit systems, rolling stock, civil infrastructure, and airports. He has led diverse teams on complex projects in Canada, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa.
In earlier roles, Kian served as Project Director at Hitachi Rail for the Hurontario LRT project. He had also been Senior Project Manager on the same project, overseeing delivery of an 18-kilometre, 19-stop light rail system valued at C$4.6 billion. Before that, Kian held senior positions on the Honolulu Rapid Transit Project in Hawaii, the first driverless metro system in the United States.
Kian holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Liverpool. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and holds a Specialized Systems Contractor license from RBQ. His professional acumen—spanning financial, strategic, and operational expertise—solidifies his reputation as a seasoned leader in the transit and infrastructure sector.

Yuta Fujihara

Chief Financial Officer

Yuta Fujihara was appointed Chief Financial Officer of CAD Railway Industries on September 1, 2025. He began his career at Sojitz in 2006, where he served as Executive Secretary to the Chairman and CEO and later led the Secretariat Department. Over the years, he gained extensive experience in corporate planning across diverse industries, including automotive, infrastructure, aerospace, and maritime. Yuta holds a degree in Economics from Osaka University and brings deep expertise in finance, accounting, and strategic corporate planning to his role at CAD Railway Industries.

Osayasu Sano

Executive Vice-President, Chief Administrative Officer

Osayasu Sano joined CAD Railway Industries in April 2022 as Executive Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors.
Osayasu joined the company as a secondment position with CAD Rail’s parent company Sojitz where he continues to act as a liaison between the two companies. Between 2010 and 2017, he spearheaded business development efforts, primarily in India, securing multiple large-scale contracts that encompassed civil work, track infrastructure, electrification, signaling, and communication involving a workforce of over 10,000 people.
Osayasu holds a Bachelor of Engineering, specializing in Industrial Management System & Operations Research. His expertise lies in creating and leading organizations, driving business development, managing contracts, and overseeing project execution.

Jean Lacoste

Vice President

Jean Lacoste joined CAD Railway Industries in February 2026 as Vice President, Programs, where he is responsible for activities related to the passenger rail sector. In this role, he leads strategic initiatives and programs aimed at supporting the company’s growth and operational excellence in the passenger rail market. With more than 15 years of experience in the rail mobility and industrial sectors, he brings strong expertise in program management, business development, and operational leadership. 

Jean holds an MBA from Université Lumière Lyon 2, as well as a master’s degree in civil engineering from ESTP. His strong management expertise combined with in-depth knowledge of technical and industrial environments, supports his strategic, commercial, and operational approach. 

Prior to joining CAD, he held leadership positions at Alstom, Bombardier, and GE. Throughout his career, he has led complex projects, strategic bids, and international growth initiatives. His experience combines technical expertise, business acumen, and strong project management capabilities. 

Having worked across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, Jean brings a global perspective to the rail industry. He is committed to advancing innovative, sustainable rail transportation solutions focused on customer needs. 

Marc Paquet

Vice President

Marc Paquet joined CAD Railway Industries in May 2026 as Vice President, Operations, where he leads the company’s operational performance and continuous improvement initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience in advanced manufacturing and operations management, Marc brings extensive expertise in operational excellence, organizational leadership, and global operations. 

An Industrial Engineering graduate of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Marc has built his career leading complex manufacturing organizations and large teams across international environments. Prior to joining CAD Railway, he held senior leadership roles with Pratt & Whitney in Canada, China, Singapore, and the United States, where he led major manufacturing and Industry 4.0 transformation initiatives. 

Having spent nearly a decade in Southeast Asia, Marc brings a strong international perspective and a proven commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.