BNSF Logistics deal beefs up project cargo team

The 3PL picks up specialized resources for oversize rail shipments.    BNSF Logistics has expanded its rail project cargo capability by adding four industry veterans and the book of business from Progressive Rail’s specialized logistics unit.
   Progressive Rail operates short-line railroads in five Midwest states and decided to focus on its core rail group, according to Jim Craig, BNSF’s chief marketing officer.
   The company is not calling the transfer of talent and customer relationships an acquisition because it was done for undisclosed, future financial considerations.
   Craig said the new resources effectively double BNSF’s market coverage and provide Progressive’s customers with access to a larger organization with financial strength.
   BNSF Logistics is a subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, a Berkshire Hathaway company that also owns BNSF Railway.
   Based in the Dallas suburb of Flower Mound, Texas, BNSF Logistics has made project cargo expansion a priority the past two years. In early 2013, it acquired Albacor Shipping, a Toronto-based logistics provider that specializes in over-dimensional cargo and EP-Team, an air cargo company with expertise in managing shipments of large equipment, vehicles and machinery. Albacor gave the company an international foothold.
   Among the products handled by the company are components for wind turbines.
   Despite its origins in a railroad company, BNSF Logistics’ rail capability has mostly centered on arranging regular carload shipments for shippers. 
   The Progressive Rail deal provides extra resources to help industrial customers move out-of-gauge products by rail, the company said.
   (Read more about BNSF Logistics’ growth strategy in “Off the Track: Railroad BNSF and owner Buffett bet on project cargo logistics.”)