Palmetto Railways Wins 2015 Short Line Railroad of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allison Skipper 803-737-1998
Charleston, South Carolina – March 3, 2015 – Palmetto Railways today announced it has been selected as the 2015 Short Line Railroad of the Year by Railway Age magazine. This national competition is held annually and recognizes outstanding achievement in any of the following areas – innovation in operation or maintenance, turnaround situations, consistent excellence, customer service, enhanced productivity, community relations, safety improvement, ingenuity and dealing with the unexpected.
“Short line and regional railroads are not just benefitting from the quickening economic recovery; they’re helping to drive that recovery,” says Railway Age Publisher Jonathan Chalon. “The business opportunities and obstacles, be they in terms of reach or of geography or product movement, may differ. But the entrepreneurial spirit of the two winners affects and assists customers large or small, making efficient business, and business growth, possible with the most efficient surface transportation mode: rail.”
“This is a tremendous recognition for our entire team at Palmetto Railways,” said Jeff McWhorter, President and CEO of Palmetto Railways. “At Palmetto Railways we understand that our success is inextricably linked to providing the customer outstanding service. Our team strives to continuously exceed customer expectations.
“As a strong proponent of economic development in South Carolina, we continually seek ways to provide cost-effective rail solutions and efficient freight movement in order to promote and bolster the local, regional and statewide economy,” said McWhorter.
Railway Age is the transportation industry’s oldest trade magazine. The monthly magazine is circulated at the management levels of North America freight and passenger railroads. Emphasis is placed on technology, operations, strategic planning, marketing, and other issues such as legislative and labor/management developments of interest to railway management, railway suppliers, and consultants.
“Our state’s logistics infrastructure is an essential part of industrial recruitment and business growth, and South Carolina has a distinct advantage in that regard with Palmetto Railways,” said Secretary Bobby Hitt of the South Carolina Department of Commerce of which Palmetto Railways is a division. “Through their efficient short-line service and with the future intermodal container facility, Palmetto Railways is truly keeping business on track.”
“Palmetto Railways is an important partner for the S.C. Ports Authority in the movement of freight via our terminal,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “We are proud of what they have accomplished with this recognition, which we think is well-deserved.”
Palmetto Railways is a short line railroad company based in Charleston that not only serves the state port facilities, but also serves a number of other companies that include BP Chemicals, Nucor, MeadWestvaco, Santee Cooper, Norfolk Southern and CSX. It also provides technical assistance and consulting services in railroad matters to state, local and municipal governments.
