Greenbrier Outlook: ‘Increasingly Optimistic’ Greenbrier Outlook: ‘Increasingly Optimistic’ Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor “Greenbrier is well-positioned for an economic recovery,” Chairman and CEO William A. Furman said. “Our pipeline of new business inquiries in North America has expanded dramatically in the last 30 days.” Greenbrier’s fiscal second-quarter 2021 financial results (the company begins its fiscal year on Oct. 1 of the prior year) are based on a $2.5 billion railcar backlog of 24,900 as of Feb. 28. The backlog includes second-quarter orders of 3,800 units valued at more than $440 million. “Strong liquidity” will ready the company for an “upcoming recovery,” it reported April 6. Greenbrier has also completed the formation GBX Leasing, a railcar leasing joint venture with The Longwood Group, which was announced Feb. 5. Greenbrier said it initially owns about 90% of GBX Leasing, with Longwood, a Chicago-based transportation equipment advisory and asset management firm, owning the balance.