Union Pacific Railroad earned the 2013 Rail Carrier of the Year Award from Lowe's Home Improvement. It is the third consecutive year Union Pacific received this award and the fourth time overall since Lowe's began its rail carrier recognition program in 2009. Lowe's based its selection on Union Pacific's superior commitment to customer service and its ability to differentiate itself from other railroads by providing a variety of transportation solutions. "We value the business and relationship shared between Lowe's and Union Pacific," said Brad Thrasher, Union Pacific's vice president and general manager-Industrial Products. "This award is representative of the ongoing efforts made by our employees to deliver superior customer service and the value we strive to create for the Lowe's team every day." To meet Lowe's transportation needs, Union Pacific partners with its wholly owned subsidiary Union Pacific Distribution Services (UPDS), which provides seamless door-to-door transportation services by combining the economies of long-haul rail service with the flexibility of over-the-road movements.