Partnership for Growth
With a handshake between Guilford Rail President Tom Steiniger and Ken Kellaway, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Kellaway Intermodal & Distribution Systems, Inc., a new era in New England freight transportation was launched, on January 12, 1999. Ayer, Massachusetts is to be the centerpiece of this partnership because of its ideal location and transportation capabilities, and Guilford Rail is to be the main distribution link with the national rail system.
The Kellaway Group of Companies, headquartered in Randolph, MA, has been building a network of material handling capabilities since 1988, and includes terminal, transportation, intermodal and warehousing functions of many types, with national air, truck and rail shipping opportunities and international shipping by ocean carrier and air. A 100,000 square foot distribution center is to be constructed by Kellaway and it is planned that all manner of distribution operations shall be made available with the intent of offering high volume value added services, such as order fulfillment, kit preparation, ticketing and even minor assembly of components. Full case distribution of domestic and imported products will be featured. And container distribution promises to become a major operation in Ayer as ocean shipping is woven into the fabric of partnership.
One of the bright features of the Guilford/Kellaway partnership is the potential for movement over Guilford lines of freight in containers imported over steamship lines into Eastern seaboard ports and brought to Ayer for transloading or distribution. This appears to be a sizable opportunity which is not limited to the industries served presently by Guilford. The Kellaway organization is fully equipped as a U. S. Customs operator and will implement the customs clearance process at the Ayer facility for all such freight. Kellaway Transportation has nationwide common and contract carrier authority and can offer truckload service throughout the nation. Kellaway also offers less than truckload (LTL) service in the Northeast, and is able to handle containers over the road.
Guilford Rail can provide rail haul service via CSX, Norfolk Southern, CP Rail and Canadian National systems utilizing its interchanges, and will provide heavy lift and grounding services for containers and trailers at Ayer. Kellaway AirFreight Services offers dedicated line haul service at six major Northeastern airports, including Logan, Bradley, T. F. Green (Providence), Manchester, John F. Kennedy and Newark, and supports that with daily pickup and delivery service throughout the Northeast.
With the combinations of service available through all of the options listed above, it becomes immediately obvious that Guilford Rail has a major opportunity to be a key component in freight transportation which is not presently part of the picture. Just as obvious is the importance of the partnership in developing the business potential into real revenue dollars.
The implementation of the Guilford Rail/Kellaway partnership was celebrated at Ayer on
February 11, 1999 with a luncheon attended by Massachusetts state officials, members of the Devens Commerce Center organization, members of the Kellaway and Guilford organizations as well as other rail carriers, and representatives of potential shippers. After brief remarks by several officials, a tour was conducted at the Devens site, with demonstrations of loading and unloading of containers from trucks and railcars. There was a strong feeling of optimism as onlookers envisioned this large facility filled with containers and trailers on the move.