With more than $18 billion in global sales, Benton Harbor, Mich.-based Whirlpool builds and sells a wide range of major home appliances under brand names such as Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, and Amana. KCS transports several thousand boxcars for Whirlpool annually to destinations throughout North America.

“KCS continues to step outside the traditional railroad paradigm and provide the solutions we need to react to an ever-changing market affected by unusual weather, new over the road regulations, a tight driver pool, and higher fuel costs,” says Whirlpool director of supply chain operations Paul Vanderboegh. “KCS’ proactive behavior establishes the model for other carriers to emulate. The annual Whirlpool carrier recognition event is our way of acknowledging outstanding performance.”

"On behalf of the KCS team, we thank Whirlpool for this recognition," says KCS EVP sales and marketing Patrick J. Ottensmeyer. “We are proud of the entire KCS team, including sales, transportation, and customer solutions, who have worked so well together to earn this award.”

Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., KCS is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico, and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico, and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS’ North American rail holdings and strategic alliances are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.