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CORNERSTONE
SYSTEMS TO OFFER RAILCAR SERVICES
Memphis,
Tenn., April 28, 2004 – Cornerstone Systems,
a nationwide provider of transportation and logistics
solutions, today announced its expansion into railcar
transportation services.
According
to Rick Rodell, Cornerstone Systems chairman and CEO,
industries that have not utilized boxcar shipping
in 15 to 20 years have started adding them into their
distribution mix. “Corporations are looking
for ways to reduce costs. While just in time delivery
is still being used, boxcars are a less expensive
option to both truck and intermodal transportation,”
said Mr. Rodell. “Railcar shipping offers significant
savings to companies looking for innovative ways to
reduce costs.”
In addition,
he said a company does not have to be rail served
to benefit from the savings. Cornerstone Systems arranges
the transloading, brings in damage prevention experts
if it is a new commodity to railcar shipping, and
presents the client with one invoice. “All in
all, it can be a very attractive alternative, particularly
with the capacity issues we are facing in both truck
and intermodal,” Mr. Rodell said.
He also
noted that in the late 1980s high interest rates,
an emphasis on just in time, longer truck sizes, and
the railroads inflexibility in operations were some
of the factors that led to a significant decline in
railcar traffic and the companies offering railcar
services. Today, he pointed out, customers can realize
cost savings in converting over three truckloads to
one boxcar, while continuing to effectively manage
the supply chain.
To lead
the new railcar service offering at Cornerstone Systems,
Mr. Burke Anderson has been appointed vice president
railcar services. He is responsible for developing
a railcar strategy and implementing it nationwide
for the company. Formerly with The Hub Group and Canadian
Pacific Railroad, Mr. Anderson brings over 18 years
of transportation experience in executive marketing
and management positions.
“We
are seeing a paradigm shift in how railroads view
third parties marketing traditional railcar services,
particularly 3PL companies that commit dedicated sales
and operating resources,” Mr. Anderson said.
“Identifying reload opportunities to reduce
empty miles on railroad boxcar fleets will be a strong
focus.”
Cornerstone
Systems offers a full complement of logistics services
including rail, truck brokerage, dedicated carriage,
on-site management, warehousing and spotting services.
Headed by an executive team with over 160 years of
experience, Cornerstone continues to attain one of
the highest growth rates in the transportation industry.
Promising
to provide its customers “rock solid solutions”,
Cornerstone Systems has 28 offices nationwide.
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