(The following story by Gregory Richards appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on March 16.)
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. has fewer admirers this year, according to Fortune magazine’s annual ranking of America’s most admired companies.
The Norfolk-based railroad failed to make the much-ballyhooed list this year, after having placed second among railroads on the list for the past two years. The top-ranked railroad for 2008 is Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. of Fort Worth, Texas.
“It cannot hurt us to be reminded that we can always do better,” said Norfolk Southern spokesman Frank Brown.
Smithfield Foods Inc. is the only Hampton Roads company on this year’s list, published in Fortune’s issue dated March 17. The Smithfield-based company placed fourth among food producers, down from third.
Fortune assembles the survey by asking executives, directors and analysts to rate companies in their own industry on eight criteria, including investment value and social responsibility.
Computer and iPod maker Apple Inc. took the list’s top spot.