On Tuesday, Norfolk Southern Corporation announced it had purchased a direct rail and truck-served transload and warehouse facility in Chicago.
The property, previously owned by Great Lakes Reload (GLR), will advance the railroad company’s strategy to covert flexible freight to rail. The space acquisition would provide the rail company’s customers with better access to new markets and with better connectivity within existing markets, the company said.
“Transloading solutions play a pivotal role in optimizing rail networks, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to maximizing efficiency and flexibility for our customers,” vice president of business development and first and final mile markets Stefan Loeb said. “By acquiring the Great Lakes Reload facility, Norfolk Southern gains access to a unique set of end-to-end supply chain solutions, unlocking significant new business opportunities for existing and future Norfolk Southern customers while preserving the successful operations already in place.”
The GLR site covers 60 acres and has an outdoor rail capacity of 175 cars, a climate-controlled 386,000 square foot warehouse with 13 overhead cranes, 18 indoor rail spots and indoor box car docks. GLR will continue to operate the facility and support operations there, officials said.
“This long-term strategic partnership will help us grow Norfolk Southern’s first mile and final mile rail traffic into and out of our Great Lakes Terminal,” Chuck Marias, president of Great Lakes Reloading, said. “We will continue to provide premium transloading and warehousing services to existing and future customers and are excited to be part of Norfolk Southern’s First and Final Mile Markets network.”