CSX CONTINUES COMMITMENT TO FULTON INDUSTRIAL
- CSX FORMS PARTNERSHIP WITH OMNITRAX;
- MORE EFFECTIVE FULTON SWITCHING WILL RESULT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., August 27, 2004 -- CSX Transportation (CSXT), a business
unit of CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX), announced today its partnership with
one of North America’s leading transportation services companies,
OmniTRAX, to provide more efficient switching to the Fulton Industrial
Business District, just outside Atlanta, Ga.
OmniTRAX Inc. is one of North America's leading transportation services
companies and the largest privately-held rail services company in North
America. An affiliate of The Broe Companies Inc., it offers a broad range
of transportation services to clients in the industrial and transportation
sectors.
The partnership was created following CSXT’s most recent phase
of improvements in the Fulton area, which included the design of more
frequent
and customer responsive switching, along with joint commercial and development
efforts between CSXT and its Fulton Partners. OmniTRAX was commissioned
by CSXT to continue that positive trend and elevate the level of service
even further.
“Our partnership with OmniTRAX is another positive step toward providing
the Fulton Business District the type of service it requires to become
one of the Southeast’s major transportation hubs,” said Gerry
Nechvatal, Regional Development Manager, CSXT. “Leveraging OmniTRAX’s
expertise and experience as a foremost service provider, in conjunction
with CSXT’s recent infrastructure investments, will foster continued
growth and development of the area.”
According to Bob Parker, OmniTRAX’s Chief Operating Officer, being
selected as a partner by CSXT is a great source of pride for the company. “We
share CSXT’s vision as to the benefits of the Integrated Logistics
Center concept, and we are honored that CSXT chose to work with OmniTRAX
to create the first of these facilities in the Fulton Industrial District,” stated
Mr. Parker. “We are going to do a great job for Fulton customers.”
Al Sauer,
OmniTRAX EVP, Marketing and Strategic Planning, explains that OmniTRAX will build
upon improvement plans already put into place by
CSXT to provide higher quality service to the customers within the
Fulton Industrial
Business District. “OmniTRAX will provide frequent, reliable, and
flexible switching services completing the all-crucial “last mile” for
CSXT’s over-the-road service,” states Mr. Sauer. “This
includes CSXT’s premium ExpressLane Service product from the
West Coast.”
Both Mr. Parker and Mr. Sauer comment that the improved service levels
that will result from this partnership will be a catalyst for significant
growth, and constitute a key step toward achieving the CSXT vision of an
Integrated Logistics Center in Atlanta.
OmniTRAX will utilize the resources of the Broe Companies, its affiliated
real estate and investment company, to augment its transportation services
with real estate and other industrial development activities to foster
economic expansion and job creation within Fulton Industrial Business District.
This unique combination of transportation and real estate expertise creates
a model that OmniTRAX has utilized successfully across its system and that
it hopes will serve as a platform for an expanded relationship with CSXT.
The first phase of improvements in the Fulton Industrial District was
completed in February 2004. The million-dollar investment by CSXT served
to strengthen existing infrastructure in the Industrial District including
7,000 new cross ties, 1,700 new switch ties, and several new track panels
and turnouts. In addition, improvements to the railyard and storage tracks
allowed for increased capacity and improved operating maneuverability,
all of which has helped to attract new partners to the thriving logistics
center.
About Fulton Industrial: Fulton Industrial is home to more than 40 existing
rail-centric warehouseman and light manufacturing companies that move everything
from food products and metals to paper and packaging products from five
regions of the country. Shippers from the West Coast, Pacific Northwest,
Canada, Ohio Valley and Southeast move more than 8,000 cars, or the equivalent
of 30,000 trucks, annually through warehouses and light manufacturing facilities
to end users in Atlanta and the surrounding areas, as well as multiple
points throughout the East.
About CSX Corporation: Based in Jacksonville, Fla., CSX Corporation owns
the largest rail network in the eastern United States. CSXT and its 34,000
employees provide rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile
network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces.
CSX Corporation also provides intermodal and global container terminal
operations through other subsidiaries.
About OmniTRAX: An affiliate of the Broe Companies, OmniTRAX
is the largest privately held rail services company in North America.
With its headquarters in Denver, Colorado, OmniTrax owns and operates
eleven
short-line railroads in six states and three Canadian Provinces.
OmniTrax also owns and operates the Port of Churchill, Manitoba. Additionally,
OmniTRAX
provides intermodal terminal services to Class I railways through
its Quality Terminal Services subsidiary, provides customized private
switching services
for major industrial complexes through its OmniTRAX Switching Services
subsidiary, and provides locomotive maintenance services to Class
I railways through its OmniTRAX Locomotive Services subsidiary.
www.csx.com
Media Contact:
Michael Burke
Vice President, Corporate Communications
303-393-0033 (Office); 303-883-6551 (Mobile)
mburke@broe.com
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