More Than 500 Customers Back Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Combination as a Catalyst for American Growth
More Than 500 Customers Back Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Combination as a Catalyst for American Growth |
| [16-September-2026] |
Shippers Across U.S. Industries Cite Expanded Market Access, Stronger Supply Chains and New Growth Opportunities as the Combination's Key Benefits OMAHA, Neb. and ATLANTA, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 500 customers representing nearly every segment of the American freight economy have publicly supported the proposed Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) combination, with support continuing to grow through recent Surface Transportation Board (STB) filings. Twenty-three new shippers from industries including agriculture, energy, fertilizer, forest products, food and automotive cited the benefits of a single, integrated coast-to-coast rail network, including expanded market access, stronger supply chains, improved reliability and new opportunities for growth.
Recent filings included more than 150 new letters from customers, first responder organizations, community leaders and elected officials. Combined with the more than 2,000 statements submitted with the railroads' amended application, the filings underscore the broad and growing coalition supporting the proposed transaction. "Customers are evaluating this transaction through the lens of what matters most to their businesses: service, reliability and growth. The broad support we're seeing reflects a shared belief that a seamless transcontinental network will create meaningful value for customers," said Kenny Rocker, executive vice president-Marketing and Sales at Union Pacific. "These businesses know their markets, understand their supply chains and recognize the opportunities that come with a single, integrated network. Their support reflects confidence in a stronger future for freight rail." For more information on the benefits of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, visit AmericasGreatConnection.com. Expanding Market Access and Creating New Growth Opportunities "By enabling single-line access to additional markets, and expanding market opportunities for bioethanol and DDGS, the proposed transaction has the potential to support rural economic growth, enhance the competitiveness of American agriculture and renewable fuels, and lower prices to end consumers if orchestrated well." "With a single railroad handling movements end-to-end, CFS would be better positioned to respond quickly to changing agriculture market conditions, better positioning CFS to capture opportunities created by supply and demand shifts." "With improved reach and service reliability, Independent Salt would be better positioned to develop new customer relationships and partnerships that are not currently viable under the existing rail network framework." "MnSP's perspective reflects the opportunity to better align U.S. soybean production and biodiesel supply with growing demand in the Northeast. A more seamless network would improve our ability to serve these markets while supporting U.S. soybean farmers and biodiesel producers." "RoyOMartin believes the proposed combination provides several important benefits… Enhanced Market Responsiveness: With end-to-end service managed by a single carrier, RoyOMartin would be better positioned to respond quickly to shifts in demand across housing and industrial markets…Expanded Market Reach: A seamless transcontinental network could improve access to new destinations and customer markets, supporting continued growth and diversification of our shipping lanes." Strengthening Competition and Helping Customers Grow "This combination would give Hub a more compelling platform to grow with existing customers, pursue new business, and shift more freight from congested highways to rail…. Hub Groupbelieves the proposed combination will make rail a more competitive growth solution for shippers across North America, and we are pleased to support it." "Our intermodal operations complement this foundation, and this transaction enhances the value proposition of our intermodal offering to customers. With extensive trucking and intermodal operations, we are well-positioned to leverage a unified rail network to provide enhanced coast-to-coast service that integrates the strengths of both modes. We believe this combination will strengthen the resilience of the U.S. freight network and improve overall supply chain efficiency." "To remain competitive and keep prices low for customers, we must strengthen U.S. rail competition. This merger will help ensure shippers have access to reliable service and competitive rates while also supporting domestic investment and job creation." Improving Reliability and Simplifying Supply Chains "A single transcontinental railroad would carry Union Pacific's customer experience across the whole country and simplify how we bid and operate by giving us: A single sales representative and point of contact…One waybill for a shipment from origin to destination…One tracing and visibility system…Far less complexity when we do business in Eastern markets." "When the temperature drops, our customers do not have the luxury of waiting, and neither do we. A rail network that moves propane reliably from coast to coast, on one railroad and through one point of contact, would make Ferrellgas a stronger and more responsive supplier to the homes and essential facilities that count on us." "Every interchange adds transit time, introduces dwell, and increases the risk of delay. For a product with a heat-and-time-constrained shelf life like Superphosphoric Acid (SPA), those added hours are not just a cost issue, they can be the difference between a successful delivery and a car that cannot be unloaded. A seamless, coast-to-coast single line rail network would reduce many of these barriers and meaningfully expand the geography in which Itafos can responsibly sell SPA." Transaction Details The transaction remains subject to STB review and approval and will continue to be subject to STB oversight following closing. The two companies expect the transaction to be completed in the third or fourth quarter of 2027. About Union Pacific About Norfolk Southern
SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation | ||
Company Codes: NYSE:NSC,NYSE:UNP |
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