(CSX and OmniTRAX issued the following news release on August 27.)
DENVER — OmniTRAX, one of North America’s leading transportation services companies, announced today its partnership with CSX Transportation (CSXT), a business unit of CSX Corporation (NYSE:CSX), 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 were 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 rail yard 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.