Customer grain car request system and hub model implemented
in 2011 leads to strong service performance
CALGARY, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific
(TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) has improved service for its Canadian grain
customers this crop year by reducing scheduling variability and
increasing access to rail car supply. Crop year-to-date, empty
order fulfillment, a metric that highlights rail car availability,
has increased by 19 per cent or 11,000 units vs. a year ago.
In 2011, CP simplified how it serves its Canadian grain network
by grouping over 165 prairie based elevators into eight separate
operating hubs. Within these hubs, the railway commits locomotives
and a dedicated scheduled day of week service to each elevator.
This operating model has delivered a 26 per cent improvement in
on-time performance, allowing customers to better optimize their
grain elevator operations through more effective delivery
coordination and manpower planning.
"We have worked in conjunction with our grain customers to
facilitate a strong network of modern grain elevators located on
the Canadian Prairies that are capable of loading 112 car unit
trains within a 24-hour period, adding significantly to the
efficiency of the grain handling and transportation system," said
Steve Whitney VP Agri-Business and
Market Development. "Our results confirm that by eliminating the
variability in grain service scheduling, we not only provide better
communications and service to our customers but unlock capacity
across the entire logistics chain."
Technology upgrades also added to CP's success story with the
introduction of CP's Grain Car Request System (GCRS), a new and
more efficient way for its customers to request cars and track
their shipments. The web portal platform in support of this system
allows customers to view their request status and service plans
online and in real time. GCRS allows CP a level of planning
flexibility that has proven key to the successful delivery of
improved year over year performance.
"Based on these types of sustained improvements, CP is
positioned to continue to deliver year over year improvements, such
as playing a larger role in the all- rail eastern export program
this winter," added Whitney.
Across Canada and the U.S., CP
moves an average of over 45 million tons of grain annually from 395
origin elevators to 30 different port terminals. CP's Grain service
reliability program, hub model and new ordering systems are now
being evaluated for potential synergies with U.S franchise.
Note on forward-looking information
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements
relating but not limited to our operations, proposed investments,
anticipated financial performance and business prospects. Undue
reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as
actual results may differ materially.
By its nature, CP's forward-looking information involves
numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance. Factors that could affect forward-looking information
include, but are not limited to: changes in business strategies;
general North American and global economic, credit and business
conditions; inflation; currency and interest rate fluctuations; the
availability and price of energy commodities; the effects of
competition and pricing pressures; industry capacity; shifts in
market demand; changes in laws and regulations, including
regulation of rates; changes in taxes and tax rates; actions by
regulators; potential increases in maintenance and operating costs;
uncertainties of litigation; risks and liabilities arising from
derailments; timing of completion of capital and maintenance
projects; currency and interest rate fluctuations; technological
changes; and various events that could disrupt operations,
including severe weather conditions, flooding, earthquakes, labour
disputes, risks and liabilities arising from derailments as well as
security threats and governmental response to them. Other risks are
detailed from time to time in reports filed by CP with securities
regulators in Canada and
the United States. Reference
should be made to "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in CP's
annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F
for a summary of major risks.
Except as required by law, CP undertakes no obligation to update
publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) operates a North American
transcontinental railway providing freight transportation services,
logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Incorporating
best-in-class technology and environmental practices, CP is
re-defining itself as a modern 21st century transportation company
built on safety, service reliability and operational efficiency.
Visit cpr.ca and see how Canadian Pacific is Driving the Digital
Railway.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific