QUINCY, Wash. and CHICAGO, April 6, 2010 — Rail Logistics, Columbia Colstor, LaGROU Distribution (i.e., Chicago Cold Storage) and the Port of Quincy have begun to offer a new expedited refrigerated intermodal "Cold Train" container rail and distribution service between Quincy, WA and Chicago, IL beginning this week (the week of April 5, 2010).
This new 4-day, door-to-door Cold Train ) service will be available a potential of 6 days a week depending on market demands.
"In fact, we already have our new 53-foot refrigerated containers arriving in Quincy, Washington and are currently booking loads and will begin daily service this week," stated Steve Lawson, Vice President of Rail Logistics.
According to Don McGraw, the CEO and Owner of Columbia Colstor, "The PNW-Chicagoland Express Intermodal 'Cold Train' Service will provide Washington State produce and perishable shippers with a cost-effective and speedy new shipping option to the Midwest." It will connect growers and producers in the PNW and the Midwest by providing an intermodal pipeline between two of the largest cold storage and distribution operators.
"With fuel prices continuing to be relatively high and with the increasing pressure on shippers to reduce carbon emissions, this new intermodal service option from Central Washington to Chicago will give agricultural and other shippers a fantastic new alternative that is both economical and more environmentally sustainable," stated Pat Connelly, Commissioner, Port of Quincy.
Pat Lombard, the General Manager of Chicago Cold Storage (a business unit of LaGROU Distribution) remarked that "the 'Cold Train' Program will not only enhance efficiencies in refrigerated commerce in the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest, but eventually throughout the entire USA, which will benefit perishable shippers all over the country."
"Also, a recent Shippers Open House in Chicago showed there was great interest by produce and frozen shippers and receivers in the Midwest," added Lombard.
On a related note, the Port of Quincy (http://www.portofquincy.org) will be holding a formal Grand Opening event for the new "Cold Train" Intermodal Service on April 20, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal.
For more information about the "Cold Train" service, please contact Steve Lawson of Rail Logistics at 913-491-0050 or Email.
About Rail Logistics
Rail Logistics, LC ) is an asset-based third-party logistics firm specializing in offering turn-key rail services to industries throughout North America for both bulk and intermodal shipments. Rail Logistics provides transportation planning and optimization, supply chain logistics consulting and management, rail fleet management, railcar leasing, maintenance management, and specialized customer service. Rail Logistics, LC has corporate offices in Overland Park, Kansas and regional operations offices in Chicago and Central Washington.
About Chicago Cold Storage / LaGROU Distribution
Chicago Cold Storage (http://www.chicagocold.com) is a business unit of LaGROU Distribution Systems, Inc. LaGROU Distribution offers regional and national distribution services from its network of nine strategically located warehouse facilities. Each facility has a supporting infrastructure including computer network, EDI, WMS, state-of-the-art material handling equipment, and centralized trucking operations. Operated by teams of dedicated professionals, every LaGROU facility ensures that orders are picked up and shipped accurately, damage-free, and on time. What began in 1964 as a small trucking company has evolved into a fully integrated logistics company specializing in the warehousing and transportation of food and general merchandise products. We cater to the needs of all sized retailers. LaGROU currently owns and operates over 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space and three trucking companies. Our storage offerings include air conditioned space (60-70F), refrigerated space (35-50F), and freezer space (-12F). Our trucking companies provide local cartage, drayage, dry-van, and protect-service delivery. All LaGROU facilities are AIB/ASI food-grade certified and RF/WMS managed. LaGROU also owns and operates over 150 power units and 320 trailers to service our customers.
About Columbia Colstor
Columbia Colstor (http://www.colstor.com) was founded in 1983 by Don McGraw in Quincy, WA. The company provides over 2,356,380 square feet of state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled warehouse space to a broad range of manufacturers and distributors. Located in the state of Washington, Columbia Colstor has six locations including Quincy, Wenatchee, Othello, Kennewick, Woodland, and Colstor International in Quincy to serve its customers' warehousing and distribution needs, nationally or overseas. Columbia Colstor is proud to have a workforce of approximately 450 associates who are dedicated to providing a reliable two-way link between processors and distributors in the Pacific Northwest and the world. Columbia Colstor's commitment is to provide "Small Town Integrity, World Class Service."
About the Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal
The Port of Quincy Intermodal Terminal (http://www.portofquincyintermodal.com) is a state-of-the-art rail cargo handling facility on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad mainline which runs from Seattle to Chicago. The Intermodal Terminal includes over 10,000 feet of track and a new container maintenance and cleaning facility, with nearly 1 million square feet of cold storage warehousing (operated by Columbia Colstor, ) in close proximity to provide shippers with distribution, cross-dock and storage capacity in and out of Washington State.
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