Insights - July/August 2018 - 17

E-commerce Creates Growth
Opportunity for Intermodal

I

ntermodal has significant potential to expand its role in supporting e-commerce,
according to freight industry experts.

"E-commerce providers are being attracted to intermodal for
the same reasons customers have utilized the service for years.
It provides a cost-effective option for transit on certain lanes and
certain commodities," said Kerry Byrne, president of 3PL Total
Quality Logistics.
His view was reinforced by rail industry officials and others,
who emphasized a key step to support further growth.
"Consistent service will be the most significant requirement
for intermodal to be a viable option for retailers and e-tailers," said
Todd Fowler, a KeyBanc analyst. "As fees increase for missing
service windows, this will require intermodal service to be more
consistent, but not necessarily faster, to meet the requirements of
an evolving retail landscape."
Railroads recognize that fact, said Tom Williams, group vice
president of consumer products at BNSF Railway.
"Consistency and reliability of service have been important to
intermodal, even before e-commerce became as big it is," Williams
said, though e-commerce has magnified the importance of those
qualities.

"E-commerce is definitely a positive for our industry," he said.
"The things that are attracting large e-commerce retailers are the
same as the brick and mortar businesses. Intermodal is a very
effective way to move large volumes of goods to large population centers."

'Significant Role'
"Intermodal will play a significant role in filling the fulfillment
centers, and we believe this will be a strategic industry need for
years to come," said Doniele Carlson, a spokeswoman for Kansas
City Southern. Intermodal service complements other modes in
completing order fulfillment, including final-mile delivery, she said.
Others emphasized how intermodal fits into a broader package of services.
"We are seeing an uptick in intermodal use," said Jess Dankert,
vice president for supply chain at the Retail Industry Leaders
Association, as members continually re-evaluate their transportation strategy to meet burgeoning e-commerce demand.
At XPO Logistics, President Troy Cooper told Intermodal
July/August 2018 | Intermodal Insights

17



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Insights - July/August 2018

IANA News
Recommended Practices for Chassis Mechanics to Provide Many Benefits
EXPO Educational Program Offers Wide Variety of Sessions
E-commerce Creates Growth Opportunity for Intermodal
Technology Enhances Intermodal Capacity, Builds Attractiveness
Intermodal Mergers, Acquisitions to Continue
Freight Report
When Change Comes, Focus on Culture, Planning, Leadership
Now Approaching Retirement, AAR’s Hamberger Aided Intermodal’s Emergence
Voice of the Shipper
Intermodal Information Services News
Government News
International Intermodal News
New Members
People News
Intermodal Calendar
Insights - July/August 2018 - Cover1
Insights - July/August 2018 - 2
Insights - July/August 2018 - 3
Insights - July/August 2018 - IANA News
Insights - July/August 2018 - 5
Insights - July/August 2018 - 6
Insights - July/August 2018 - Recommended Practices for Chassis Mechanics to Provide Many Benefits
Insights - July/August 2018 - 8
Insights - July/August 2018 - 9
Insights - July/August 2018 - 10
Insights - July/August 2018 - 11
Insights - July/August 2018 - 12
Insights - July/August 2018 - EXPO Educational Program Offers Wide Variety of Sessions
Insights - July/August 2018 - 14
Insights - July/August 2018 - 15
Insights - July/August 2018 - 16
Insights - July/August 2018 - E-commerce Creates Growth Opportunity for Intermodal
Insights - July/August 2018 - 18
Insights - July/August 2018 - Technology Enhances Intermodal Capacity, Builds Attractiveness
Insights - July/August 2018 - 20
Insights - July/August 2018 - 21
Insights - July/August 2018 - Intermodal Mergers, Acquisitions to Continue
Insights - July/August 2018 - Freight Report
Insights - July/August 2018 - 24
Insights - July/August 2018 - When Change Comes, Focus on Culture, Planning, Leadership
Insights - July/August 2018 - 26
Insights - July/August 2018 - 27
Insights - July/August 2018 - 28
Insights - July/August 2018 - Now Approaching Retirement, AAR’s Hamberger Aided Intermodal’s Emergence
Insights - July/August 2018 - 30
Insights - July/August 2018 - Voice of the Shipper
Insights - July/August 2018 - Intermodal Information Services News
Insights - July/August 2018 - 33
Insights - July/August 2018 - Government News
Insights - July/August 2018 - 35
Insights - July/August 2018 - 36
Insights - July/August 2018 - International Intermodal News
Insights - July/August 2018 - 38
Insights - July/August 2018 - 39
Insights - July/August 2018 - New Members
Insights - July/August 2018 - 41
Insights - July/August 2018 - 42
Insights - July/August 2018 - Intermodal Calendar
Insights - July/August 2018 - Cover4
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