OmniTRAX, Inc., one of the largest privately held transportation service companies in North America and an affiliate of The Broe Group, is partnering with Georgia-Pacific to ensure efficient and cost-effective rail transportation for the company’s new plant in Albany, Ga. As part of the project, Georgia-Pacific will connect a railway track from its facility, which will produce lumber and wood chips, to the mainline of the OmniTRAX-affiliated Georgia & Florida Railway, LLC (GFRR) in the adjacent Albany-Dougherty Industrial Park.
Construction of the new subsidiary rail line and related crossing and communications upgrades is expected to begin by December and will be completed in 2019. Construction on the $150 million, 320,000 square-foot, GP facility is also scheduled to begin this year with an anticipated startup in late 2019.
“Georgia-Pacific is a great partner for OmniTRAX and the GFRR, and the new plant will allow us to show case our customer service expertise even more. We also appreciate the support of the local, state and federal governments to make this project happen in Southwest Georgia and are pleased to be a part economic growth in the region,” said Kevin Shuba, CEO of OmniTRAX.
Once in production, the new Georgia-Pacific facility expects to produce approximately 300 million board-feet of lumber a year. This translates to more than 1,250 railcars of building materials and wood chips transported on the GFRR per year.
The GFRR is a network of 222 miles of track between Albany and northwestern Florida. The railroad has interchanges with CSX in Foley, Fla. and Thomasville, Ga., and with Norfolk Southern in Adel and Albany, Ga. In addition to Georgia-Pacific, GFRR customers include Miller Brewing, Flint Hills Resources and Procter & Gamble, and transports liquid and dry bulk, pipe, plastics, construction products and more.
About Georgia Pacific: Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading makers of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals. You may recognize our household brands, such as Brawny® paper towels, Quilted Northern® bath tissue and Dixie® cups and tableware. If you’re in the construction business, you’re probably familiar with our gypsum panels and other quality building materials. Even if you work in aerospace, mining or facilities management, Georgia-Pacific products may be part of your day. More information is available at www.gp.com.
About OmniTRAX, Inc.: As one of North America’s largest private railroad and transportation management companies, OmniTRAX's core capabilities include providing management services to its affiliated railroad, port, intermodal and industrial switching operations. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group and its portfolio of managed companies, OmniTRAX also has the unique capability of offering specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the rail network managed by OmniTRAX. More information is available at www.omnitrax.com.
About The Broe Group: Based in Denver, The Broe Group and its affiliates form a privately-owned, multi-billion dollar real estate, transportation, energy and investment organization with assets owned and managed across North America. Together, Broe managed companies employ more than 1,000 people and provide employment for thousands of others through operations such as its Great Western Industrial Park in Northern Colorado. Its transportation affiliate, OmniTRAX, Inc., is one of North America’s largest private railroad and transportation management companies specializing in management services, railroad and port services, intermodal solutions and industrial switching operations. Its energy affiliates include Great Western Oil & Gas Company, the largest private operator in the third most prolific U.S. basin. Broe Real Estate Group acquires, develops and manages office and industrial properties, medical office buildings and multi-family communities across the country, including premier assets in many of the most desirable markets. The Broe Group also has multiple investment affiliates, including Three Leaf Ventures, which is focused on innovative healthcare technology start-ups. For more information, visit broe.com.