ATLANTA, June 27,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation
(NYSE: NSC) has launched TOP|SPG, a new operating plan designed to
improve service, enhance productivity, and create a platform for
growth. The operating plan guides the day-to-day movement of trains
and shipments through Norfolk Southern's network.
"Our robust hiring efforts, coupled with TOP|SPG, will enhance
our overall service recovery. Everyone at Norfolk Southern is
focused on bringing our service product to a level our
customers expect, and TOP|SPG gives us additional alignment, while
boosting productivity and creating a pathway for future growth.
This is an important part of our effort to become more
customer-centric and operations-driven," said Norfolk Southern
President and CEO Alan H. Shaw.
TOP|SPG builds on Norfolk Southern's legacy of successful
Thoroughbred Operating Plans (TOP), while balancing the important
goals of service, productivity, and growth (SPG). The plan is an
evolution of the company's previous operating plan, TOP21, and will
better serve the changing needs of its customers and consumer
demands. Built upon a repeatable schedule, TOP|SPG is designed to
be executable day in and day out. Core elements of the plan are
built upon:
- Service: Providing a platform for consistent service was
the top goal in designing TOP|SPG. Norfolk Southern has worked with
customers to ensure that plan changes will have minimal impact on
their operations and is designed to meet their future
growth.
- Productivity: TOP|SPG works by making the company's
operating plan simple, consistent, and executable every day.
Shipments will travel more directly across Norfolk Southern's
network; one-market origin to one-market termination. Additionally,
a balanced network flow helps ensure that shipments are less likely
to get caught at choke points and facilities keep goods
moving.
- Growth: TOP|SPG provides a platform for growth –
for customers and Norfolk Southern. Team members, engines, rolling
stock, and terminals are aligned to effectively serve customers,
while being nimble enough to handle future volume.
"Improvements within our Merchandise and Bulk segments were the
focus of TOP21, and the primary focus of TOP|SPG is our Intermodal
business. TOP|SPG works by making our daily operations simpler,
more consistent, and executable. It's meant to serve the current
needs of our customers more reliably, and to be nimble enough to
scale as they grow their businesses," said Norfolk Southern Vice
President Network Planning and Operations Paul Duncan.
Customers were integral to the design of TOP|SPG. Norfolk
Southern has been working closely with them throughout the plan's
development to include their feedback and to ensure they were
informed throughout implementation. Where it makes sense, Norfolk
Southern began to shift daily operations to TOP|SPG ahead of
June 27, realizing early benefits.
Moving forward, TOP|SPG is designed to be scalable, allowing
Norfolk Southern to grow with its customers.
"TOP|SPG is not a radical change in how we'll serve our
customers, but a shift in our operations to move their shipments
more consistently. As our new operating plan is implemented, and we
hire more crews, over the coming months we will see an improvement
in our service product," said Norfolk Southern Vice President
Transportation Floyd Hudson.
Customers who have feedback or questions regarding TOP|SPG can
contact Norfolk Southern's Marketing team
at TOP.SPG@nscorp.com. Including a company name and location
in the email subject line will assist in expediting a
response. Normal service inquiries should be directed to
their regular Norfolk Southern point of contact.
Learn more about TOP|SPG by visiting Norfolk Southern's website,
or by following on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation
(NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation
companies, moving the goods and materials that drive the U.S.
economy. Norfolk Southern connects customers to markets and
communities to economic opportunity, with safe, reliable, and
sustainable shipping solutions. The company's service area includes
22 states and the District of
Columbia, every major container port in the eastern
United States, and a majority of
the U.S. population and manufacturing base.
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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation