Businesses Can Build Strong Supply Chains in Bismarck-Mandan With BNSF Railway

Bismarck-Mandan and Greater North Dakota are served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, which connects local businesses to 28 states, three Canadian provinces, and 40 different ports. With 32,500 miles of track, BNSF’s freight rail access is nearly endless and Bismarck-Mandan is located in the heart of its network.

“BNSF and our predecessor railroads have been providing rail service since before North Dakota became a state,” says Amy McBeth, Director of Public Affairs for BNSF Railway. “We have helped the region’s industries grow exponentially since then.”

Rail is an essential part of supply chain management in the United States. Discover how easy it is to ship your products and receive materials in Bismarck-Mandan. 

BNSF Shipped 340,000 Carloads of North Dakota Products in 2023

BNSF Railway can quickly deliver materials to Bismarck-Mandan and ship your finished products to ports across the East and West Coasts of the United States and Canada. BNSF company considers itself an essential partner in supply chain development and treats the shipment of goods as a team sport.

“We are proud to highlight BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific Railroad, and the Dakota Missouri Valley Western Railroad when site selectors visit Bismarck-Mandan,” says Nathan Schneider, Vice President of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. “Major companies know they can easily get their operations up and running with the existing rail infrastructure in place.”

BNSF has always been a partner for value-added agriculture providers, but it has since expanded to support a variety of industries. No industry or company is too big or too small to receive BNSF’s transportation support.

Rail-Based Supply Chains Help Companies Achieve Emissions Goals

Rail is an efficient option for transporting goods and services across the country; however, switching to rail can also help companies reach their net-zero emissions goals.

“Rail is the most fuel-efficient mode of surface transportation,” says McBeth. “By using rail to transport goods, our customers can reduce their supply chain emissions while remaining competitive in the market.”

Specifically, railroads handle 40 percent of the nation’s long-distance freight volume but account for only 0.5 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, rail also only accounts for 1.9 percent of transportation-related emission sources. Comparatively, rail lines are three to four times more efficient than over-the-road trucks. 

BNSF Has a Bright Future in Bismarck-Mandan

Not only does BNSF provide reliable services to businesses in Bismarck-Mandan, but it is also a trusted employer. BNSF has approximately 200 employees that support transportation infrastructure in the region.

“BNSF is not only a valuable supply chain partner but also a significant employer in the region,” says Schneider. “A BNSF grows, so does the Bismarck-Mandan economy, and vice versa.”

This 175-year-old company has plans to keep growing. In 2022, BNSF began testing low-carbon fuels in its locomotives. It hopes to increase the amount of biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels it uses to operate its locomotives.

BNSF is also developing the industry’s next generation of locomotives. This includes assessing the feasibility of battery-electric locomotives, hydrogen fuel cell locomotives, hybrid locomotives, and zero-emission solutions for cargo handling such as electric hostlers.

Learn More About the Infrastructure of Bismarck-Mandan

Moving your business to Bismarck-Mandan offers several location advantages. Along with multiple railway service providers, companies can tap into a strong air and highway infrastructure to develop their supply chains. Bismarck-Mandan also has some of the lowest utility rates in the country, lowering the operating costs of companies moving to the region.

Discover Bismarck-Mandan and see why it is the ideal location for your business expansion or relocation.