Title: Navigating Rail Mergers and Supply Chain Resilience with Industry Expert Karen Burchfield

In this episode, rail industry veteran Karen Burchfield shares insights on the impact of mega-mergers, the importance of shipper participation in regulatory processes, and strategies for supply chain resilience amid geopolitical and economic disruptions. Her deep expertise sheds light on how shippers and carriers can navigate an evolving freight landscape with confidence.

Main Topics Covered:

The implications of the UP-NS merger and the role of federal review processes like the STB and DOT

How market concentration metrics like HHI and CF3 influence competition assessments

The importance of shipper engagement and understanding operational plans during mergers

The significance of merger readiness assessments and identifying vulnerabilities

Strategies for supply chain resilience amidst tariffs, fuel price surges, and geopolitical instability

The role of automation, AI, and spoof-proofing supply chain technology

Principles for a good merger and the potential risks of expedited or poorly regulated consolidations

The "Railroad Proud" initiative and fostering industry pride and accountability

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Karen Burchfield's extensive rail industry career and current roles01:30 - Insights from the Pin Wars shipper conference on merger concerns03:09 - Deep dive into the STB review process and recent DOT involvement04:34 - Quantitative metrics used by the DOT to assess market competition06:11 - Exploring Karen's Railroad Proud series and its significance for industry identity08:55 - Mindset shift: from carrier-focused to shipper-centric outlooks09:09 - The complexities of interline agreements and their impact on shippers11:14 - How to prepare for mergers: merger readiness assessments12:17 - Key vulnerabilities identified during the assessment process14:15 - Strategies for understanding and adapting to operational changes post-merger16:04 - The importance of participating in the STB review process18:02 - Reflection on the rejection of the first merger application and its implications19:23 - The value of past lessons in assessing future regulatory decisions20:51 - Potential system-wide impacts of yard rationalizations along the North American spine23:04 - Conditions for a "good" merger and the role of external regulations25:52 - Karen's advice to shippers and the risks of acting without proper analysis38:09 - The influence of AI and cyber threats on supply chain integrity40:47 - How to follow Karen Birchfield's work and the Railroad Proud series

Resources & Links:

Supply Chain Acumen LLC

Praxy Chain Consulting

Karen Burchfield on LinkedIn

Railroad Proud Series

Connect with Karen Birchfield:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freightflowadvisor.substack.com/subscribe

FreightFA Industry Podcast: Karen Burchfield