NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons greets Norfolk Southern conductor in Baltimore.

Norfolk Southern recently welcomed a delegation from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), including NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, to our operations in Baltimore. We proudly keep the manufacturing supply chain moving, supporting a large portion of NAM’s membership. In 2023, Norfolk Southern provided logistics solutions for more than 90 manufacturing companies, transporting more than 1.4 million carloads of freight for these customers. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase our ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on our customers' supply chains. Our network, which includes more than 270 short line partners, 54 port partners, 54 intermodal facilities, and 319 transload locations, is the most extensive on the East Coast, and it gives us the flexibility to be nimble when situations arise.

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons receives briefing on plans to mitigate supply chain disruption in Baltimore from Norfolk Southern Sr. Terminal Manager Blue Ridge Division Bruce Crockett.

Ed Elkins, Chief Marketing Officer at Norfolk Southern and member of the NAM Board of Directors, expressed appreciation for the chance to spotlight the company's resilience amid adversity. “We often say, the weight of the world moves on rail… and it’s true,” remarked Elkins. He continued, “Our ability to be serve the market through temporary disruption is really a demonstration of our strategy in action, where we leverage the experience of our railroaders and the strength of our franchise to find A Better Way to provide safe, reliable service.”

Countless Norfolk Southern team members are strategizing to handle increased volume on behalf of our customers, our rail network, and the global supply chain – including the representatives from Marketing, Operations, and Government Relations who helped host the delegation.

Norfolk Southern has implemented innovative strategies and initiatives in light of the Baltimore bridge collapse, including deploying Go Teams to its operations in Lamberts Point, Virginia as coal is diverted from Baltimore. Norfolk Southern instituted Go Teams during the pandemic, and we continue to leverage this rapid response approach to solve for current market challenges.

The NAM delegation commended Norfolk Southern for its agility and forward-thinking approach. “In the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, Norfolk Southern has exemplified the spirit of solution-focused leadership that defines modern manufacturing in the United States,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Their swift adaptation and innovative strategies have minimized disruptions, ensuring that critical supply chain operations continue to support customer needs effectively.”

Timmons continued, “The dedication to operational excellence that we’ve seen from all levels of the Norfolk Southern team, even under the most challenging circumstances, is what keeps manufacturing in America strong and provides the resilience we’ll need to rebuild and renew from this disaster."