CN starts corporate integration of Wisconsin Central

Canadian National has completed its acquisition of Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation (WC) and has begun a phased integration of the companies’ operations.

WC, now CN’s Wisconsin Central Division, forms a strategically important link in CN’s NAFTA network between Chicago, Superior, Wis., and CN’s transcontinental network across Canada.

“The CN/WC merger will strengthen our North American franchise, offer shippers extended market reach through new single-line services and generate new opportunities for employees,” said Paul M. Tellier, president and chief executive officer of CN.

“One of the early benefits of the CN/WC integration will be improved freight traffic flows. As a single company, for example, we’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to improve car connections and eliminate back-hauls. This will improve asset utilization, generate faster transit times and reduce costs,” said Gordon T. Trafton, vice-president of CN’s WC Division.

CN/WC sales and marketing representatives are contacting WC customers to explain CN’s structure and integration plan. WC’s existing electronic commerce applications will remain in place over the near term at CN’s web site, www.cn.ca.