'The Kansas City region is the nation's largest rail center based on tonnage. When C-level executives from some of our country's most successful rail lines come to KC to participate in a panel discussion, it proves how valuable the Kansas City region is to the rail industry,' said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. 'Yesterday's event proved that Kansas City continues to have the assets and opportunities that impact the success and growth of the rail sector nationally.'
The Momentum 2012 panelists included: John Lanigan, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, BNSF; Brian McDonald, vice president of intermodal, Union Pacific; Pat Ottensmeyer, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Kansas City Southern and Rick Webb, CEO,Watco Companies.
Momentum 2012 offered insight into how critical it is for the rail industry to harmonize with all forms of transportation due to the increased demand for door-to-door intermodal services. They expressed how this harmonization is a long-term growth opportunity that is good for business and the environment.
Panelists also discussed industry challenges including the amount of capital investment and technology needed to implement Positive Train Control, as well as a necessity to recruit top talent due to an aging workforce. The event stressed the importance of creating uniform policies across the United States in order to generate a more efficient transportation ecosystem and to remain competitive internationally.
The panel highlighted Kansas City's position as an outstanding point-of-entry into the main flow of U.S. transportation systems due to the region's central location and infrastructure. KC continues to be an integral part of the future for the rail industry bringing intrinsic value in location and workforce assets.
