NTX Magazine Volume 1 | Page 16

Industry Spotlight LOGISTICS The Logistics of Doing Business North Texas region offers premier global distribution hub A key component of the North Texas “Union Pacific Intermodal operates one region’s economic success is its sophisticated of the largest container fleets in the country and integrated transportation infrastructure. and has the line haul capacity to enable manufacturers to safely and reliably move This includes three intermodal hubs, Class I their goods to market,” said Robert Kelly rail services, a large interstate highway of UP’s Intermodal Marketing Group. system with direct NAFTA access, and a “With Texas being the largest manufacturing network of commercial airports. As the economy, Union Pacific’s Intermodal and nation’s fifth-largest global exporter, the Carload products provide tremendous region has positioned itself as a premier customer value from the movement of raw global logistical hub offering direct access materials to finished goods.” throughout the Americas and Asia with Union Pacific also operates a facility more competitive distribution costs than just east of Dallas in Mesquite, which any major U.S. logistics center. connects the region to North America and specific hubs located in the western U.S., Railroads and Intermodal Hubs Midwest, East Coast and Canada. The North Texas region is served by three Class I railroads: Union Pacific Railroad (UP), BNSF Railway and Kansas City A Major Component to the Supply Chain Southern (KCS). Having access to these Intermodal shipping has always been an railroads contributes to North Texas being a integral part of the manufacturing supply highly efficient, superior distribution hub. chain, as it reduces transport costs and The railroads operate out of three moves bulk between road, rail and intermodal hubs within the area. BNSF oftentimes by air. It’s a means to strategically Railway operates out of the Alliance Global gain capacity, improve sustainability and Logistics Hub located in Fort Worth, and reduce costs across the supply chain. Recently recognized as one of the top is a combined international and national logistics-friendly locations in the U.S., intermodal facility. As one of the nation’s largest inland ports, Alliance handles all North Texas has an exceptional and rare N Today’s demanding direct Asian imports and exports from the intermodal system, which is a key reason global market, logistics West Coast. (Learn more about the Alliance why many companies set up logistics and capabilities are essential for Global Logistics Hub on page 12.) distribution operations in the region. A slew a company’s competitive The Dallas Intermodal Terminal (DIT) of manufacturers – from home appliance strategy and survival. is managed by Union Pacific, and is located companies to construction and engineering Delivering products to meet market corporation