Merger of Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern a Win for Small Businesses

Connor Wolfe

As the owner of Connor Wolfe Thrifts, a small business based in Clemson, South Carolina, I know well that efficient, low-cost shipping is the backbone of our success. As an organization that prides itself on providing apparel and lifestyle goods to customers across the Southeast, I find it important to voice my support for the merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) because of the benefits it will bring to small businesses like mine.

For companies like mine, reliable and cheap shipping logistics are essential for growth. Every delay or unnecessary cost can make the difference between gaining a customer and losing one, an issue that the unification of UP and NS helps address. By connecting over 50,000 track miles, 43 states, and more than 100 ports, UP and NS have the opportunity to create the most efficient rail network in North America. This level of connectivity would significantly expand access to reliable freight rail transportation for businesses of all sizes, not just major companies.

The merger is projected to generate $1 billion in annual cost savings and improve freight car velocity by approximately 10%. For a small retailer, these improvements mean real change. With faster delivery times, more predictable shipping schedules, and lower transportation costs, Connor Wolfe Thrifts – along with other independent organizations across the country – could better manage inventory, plan shipments more accurately, and ensure on-time arrival for our customers.

By benefitting consumers as well as shippers, this merger creates an opportunity to strengthen the trust between the two. Through increasing the quality of the customer experience with coast-to-coast freight rail shipping, local sellers and manufacturers will see higher retention rates and an overall boost in business. Put simply, the merger unlocks a stronger, more efficient rail network built to serve customers.

For these reasons, I believe federal regulators should approve the merger between UP and NS. This decision is a chance to empower small businesses across South Carolina and beyond with the reliable, efficient transportation network we need to grow, compete, and thrive.

Connor Wolfe, owner and founder of Connor Wolfe Thrifts, an online thrift and resale business based in the Upstate.