Aug 15, 2011 10:31 AM

Heinz North America honored Union Pacific Railroad as its 2011 Carrier of the Year award winner for the railroad’s outstanding performance in transporting refrigerated and canned products.

The railroad’s efforts surpassed those of motor carriers—which historically have won the award—mainly as a result of its work shipping Ore-Ida frozen potatoes from Ontario OR to markets in the eastern United States.

“Union Pacific is honored to be recognized with this award by Heinz North America,” said John Philp, Union Pacific assistant vice-president–Food and Refrigerated Products. “We value our relationship with Heinz and strive to provide superior service and quality to all our customers.”

By switching from highway transportation to Union Pacific, Heinz saved 600,000 gallons of diesel fuel, cut carbon dioxide emissions by 44%, and took approximately 2,000 trucks off America’s congested highways in the past year.

Union Pacific owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the United States. It offers competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico.

Access www.up.com for more information.