GATX Corporation is an American company that leases and manages a diverse portfolio of railcars, locomotives, and other industrial assets. The company's headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it operates globally, with customers in North America, Europe, and Asia. GATX was founded in 1898 as the General American Transportation Corporation and has since grown to become a leading provider of railcar leasing solutions.
GATX's business model involves leasing railcars and locomotives to customers in various industries, including agriculture, energy, chemical, and intermodal transportation. The company also offers services such as asset management, maintenance, and repair. GATX operates a fleet of over 170,000 railcars and 1,600 locomotives, making it one of the largest railcar leasing companies in the world.
GATX went public in 1916 and has since traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol GATX. The company has a long history of dividend payments and has been named one of the "Dividend Aristocrats" by S&P Dow Jones Indices. In recent years, GATX has focused on modernizing its fleet and expanding its international presence through acquisitions and partnerships.
In addition to its core railcar leasing business, GATX has also ventured into other industrial asset leasing markets, such as aircraft leasing and specialty chemicals. The company's diverse portfolio of assets and services has allowed it to weather economic downturns and maintain a steady stream of revenue.