NS
In 2024, 94 customers either began shipping with NS for the first time or established new business opportunities with the railroad, the Class I recently announced.
These new opportunities, NS says, “showcase the growing importance of rail across industries like intermodal, automotive, manufacturing, agriculture, chemicals, consumer goods, and more.”
“We’re grateful that these valued customers are trusting Norfolk Southern for their supply chain needs,” said NS EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins. “We’re producing service that customers can count on every day, delivered by people they can trust. That is our goal. This is how we expand our partnerships and support the growth of critical and emerging industries here in America.”
According to NS, these trends align with increased U.S. rail traffic. American freight railroads hauled 516,743 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending Nov. 2, a 6.6% increase compared with traffic levels in the same week last year, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data. Carloads totaled 228,635, up 1.9%, while intermodal volume reached 288,108 containers and trailers, up 10.7%. Nine of the 10 carload commodity groups that AAR tracks every week posted an increase. They included chemicals, up 7.7% to 32,425 carloads; grain, up 10.4% to 23,656; and nonmetallic minerals, up 6.1% to 33,124 carloads.
UP
UP on Nov. 12 announced that it has recognized 16 customers and suppliers with the railroad’s 2024 Sustainability Partner Award. This is the second year UP awarded innovative partners who “demonstrated leadership and progress toward achieving their sustainability goals.”
“Creating a more sustainable future is not a solo mission,” said UP President Beth Whited. “While rail is already the most environmentally responsible way to move goods across land, we’re fortunate to work with many customers and suppliers who share our commitment to being a leader in sustainability and having a positive impact on communities for generations to come.”
The award was open to UP’s customers and suppliers and was based on a company’s sustainability efforts, such as the use of innovative business practices to reduce their environmental impact. Also considered was a company’s track record of engaging and collaborating effectively with key stakeholders, including communities and business partners.
Union Pacific Customer Winners:
- Americold Realty Trust
- Evergreen Line
- General Motors
- Green Plains Inc.
- Occidental Chemical Corporation
- Schneider
- Toyota North America
- Waste Management
- Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.
Union Pacific Supplier Winners:
- Chevron REG
- Niagara Bottling
- SAP
- Steel Dynamics, Inc.
- Stella-Jones
- The Greenbrier Companies
- Wabtec
Winners were honored Thursday, Nov. 7, at an awards ceremony held at Union Pacific Center in Omaha, Nebraska, where they were given a chance to share their sustainability initiatives and projects.
“Our business partners are focused on making a difference for generations to come,” said UP Executive Vice President – Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker. “We congratulate the winners of Union Pacific’s annual Sustainability Partner Award and value their work driving meaningful change in sustainability.”
Separately, UP celebrated Veterans Day with a special tribute on the Nasdaq Tower screen in Times Square, captured right after the Opening Bell Ceremony on Nov. 11.
“Today, we pay homage to all who have served, and we are especially proud to recognize Colonel John Tien, US Army, Retired. With three combat tours in Iraq, he is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge, and we are privileged to have him as a valued Board member,” UP stated in a LinkedIn post. “Thank you to all veterans for your service and dedication.”
