After a tough beginning to the season in the Southwest due to storm damage, Schneider has begun making moves to show employees and shareholders that they are fiscally strong and planning to expand. To begin with, Schneider National has signed a new, multiyear agreement with BNSF Railway under which the railroad will continue to serve as one of Schneider’s primary rail providers.
The agreement reaffirms Schneider National’s intermodal commitment to providing customers with cost-effective, streamlined services that provide flexibility to control and manage freight, according to Bill Matheson, president of Intermodal Services for Schneider National.
Schneider’s asset-based intermodal service expertise, combined with BNSF’s commitment to a technologically advanced and efficient rail system, provides customers a proven solution during a time of tight truckload capacity, Matheson said. Our relationship with BNSF allows us to provide the support our customers need to succeed, saving them time and money while enabling reliable service.
BNSF became Schneider’s primary Western rail provider in 2008. Over the past four years, the organizations have enhanced their performance to deliver truck-like reliability and low-cost service. The agreement provides Schneider customers continued access to the largest intermodal network in the world, offering two service levels and daily service in all major lanes. Additionally, BNSF continues to invest heavily in its network to improve rail infrastructure and expand service offerings to support intermodal growth. BNSF’s 2012 capital commitment of $3.9 billion includes the development of a new intermodal facility in the Kansas City area.
“More and more shippers are realizing the benefits of converting their over-the-road freight to intermodal, said Steve Branscum, BNSF Railway, group vice president Consumer Products Marketing. As they do so, our two companies are poised to provide these shippers with exceptional intermodal service throughout the U.S. We look forward to working closely with Schneider to continue to bring next-generation intermodal solutions to the marketplace.”
Schneider provides complete North American intermodal coverage. In addition to service coverage in the West with BNSF Railway, it moves loads in the East with CSX as well as Canadian and Mexican border crossings with CN and Kansas City Southern railroads.