CN Partners Build Business
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Richardson on April 20 reported via Twitter “a $220M investment in our Wesson oil facility, which will result in a capacity expansion to meet the needs of our customers and the growing global demand for quality vegetable oils.” (Richardson Photograph)
Richardson International is investing $220 million to boost production at its CN-served Wesson Oil facility in Memphis, Tenn. Also, Crowley is teaming with the Canadian Class I to launch end-to-end integrated ocean and rail service between Mexico and the U.S. Midwest and Canada.
Richardson late last month announced that it would replace its existing Memphis refinery to increase production and refining capacity. The move, it said, not only will fulfill customer requirements, but also meet global demand. The plant produces Wesson brand oil for international retail markets, in addition to frying blends and shortenings for industrial and food service markets. According to Richardson, improved efficiencies at the new plant “will also drive substantial reductions in water, energy and wastewater volumes.”
“The Wesson Oil facility in Memphis provides Richardson a strong retail brand and a great location supported by a very dedicated team of employees,” Richardson Vice President Oilseed Operations Tobias Dewey said. “Collectively, these elements provided the confidence to support meaningful investment and innovation in the Memphis plant’s operations.”
CN on May 2 sent a “Supply Chain Salute” via Twitter to Richardson. “With efficient routing between Richardson’s Yorkton oilseed processing and the Memphis refinery, CN is proud to help our partner meet the global demand for vegetable oil,” CN tweeted.
Richardson’s oilseed processing division is also at work on projects at its Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Lethbridge, Alberta facilities, which the company said will increase crushing and refining capabilities.
In related CN news, Crowley on May 2 reported that it will launch a new transnational service, featuring an ocean shipping route from Tuxpan, Mexico, to Mobile, Ala., and leveraging the CN rail network from Mobile to the Midwest and into Canada. The maritime, energy and logistics company said that ships making a roundtrip between Tuxpan and Mobile weekly in September will carry up to 1,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers and more than 200 refrigerated containers.
After transiting on Crowley’s vessel from Mexico to the Port of Mobile, containers will be loaded onto daily CN trains connecting Mobile and Chicago; Detroit; Minneapolis; Memphis; and Canadian cities such as Toronto and Montreal, among others.
“With this collaboration with CN, Crowley has further expanded market reach for our customers and the communities they serve with the fast, reliable transport of goods across the entirety of North America,” said Brett Bennett, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crowley Logistics.
“We share similar values [with Crowley] about providing solutions for complex supply chain needs and we are excited to support their first venture via the Port of Mobile into the U.S. and Canada,” CN Chief Marketing Officer Doug MacDonald said. “We can better serve our customers in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada by assisting Crowley in providing a reliable, and seamless door-to-door customer experience. The new service will enable more efficient supply chain corridors and increased market access throughout North America.”
