Schneider Backs Intermodalism

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ATLANTA — Intermodalism got a huge plug from the nation’s biggest truckload carrier.

Donald J. Schneider, president of Schneider National Inc., Green Bay, Wis., said his trucking and logistics company will boost its intermodal business 20% this year and expand the number of intermodal containers in its fleet from 750 to 2,000 units. Schneider National had revenue of $2.7 billion in 1998. Schneider refused to divulge how much of that is derived from intermodal service.

Schneider’s remarks came during a keynote address at the International Intermodal Expo, which opened Tuesday.

"I see many more opportunities to take trucks off the road," he said. He added that offering both truck and rail service gives his customers greater flexibility.

"I’m mode-neutral when it comes to moving freight," Schneider said. "You would be crazy not to be, because the market will tell you if you are biased one way or the other."

Schneider said rail and truck hauling "are very complementary." He would like to see productivity improvements for both modes as a way to keep logistics costs down.

Increasing the size and weight of trailers would improve trucking productivity and take trucks off the road, he argued.

For the full story, see the April 27 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.