Union Pacific Offers First U.S. Inland Co-Op Truck Chassis Pool

Innovative Agreement Helps Streamline Intermodal Operations 


OMAHA, Neb., April 25  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Union Pacific Railroad has signed a strategic agreement with the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association (OCEMA) to launch the rail industry's first inland cooperative truck chassis pool in the United States.  The agreement supports terminal efficiency for international shipping operations by improving equipment availability.

Under the agreement, 16 international customers that belong to the new co-op will consolidate their truck chassis -- the frame on wheels that an intermodal container is secured to for truck transport -- into a fleet that will be managed in a "chassis pool."  The chassis pool manager is responsible for inspection, maintenance, repairs, interchange and inventory control.  This will help reduce the cost of customers having to purchase and track their own individual chassis.

"This co-operative effort is a creative way of handling business that benefits customers, truckers and railroads," said Barry Michaels, Union Pacific's assistant vice president-premium operations.  "We could not have reached this milestone without our customers' support and cooperation."

The co-op truck chassis pool was established in December 2005 at the Denver Intermodal Facility.  The benefits of the strategic collaboration include:

  * Reduction in the truck chassis inventory -- both in the number of
    chassis at the intermodal facility and the number in the customers'
    pools;

  * Reduction in labor managing the chassis fleet; and

  * Terminal efficiencies such as improved over-the-road driver turn time,
    improvements in train arrivals and less time spent unloading containers.



Union Pacific plans to expand the co-op chassis pool model to 11 additional locations within the next two years, for a total of about 70,000 truck chassis.  Near-term, the company will implement the next chassis pools at intermodal facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and Marion, Ark.

Jobs at Union Pacific

Currently, Union Pacific has job openings at many locations throughout its 23-state operating system. Opportunities are available in train service, skilled disciplines (e.g., diesel mechanics and electricians) and management. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit http://www.up.com/ and click on "Jobs at UP."

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies.  Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers.  Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal.  The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways.  Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.

For more information, contact Mark Davis, 402-544-5459. 

DATASOURCE: Union Pacific Corporation



CONTACT:  Mark Davis of Union Pacific Corporation, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.up.com/ 



Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/911275.html 

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