JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has recognized 1 million rail cars of aggregates shipped by Conrad Yelvington Distributors Inc. (CYDI). CYDI was founded in 1947, incorporated in 1960 and began shipping aggregates by rail in 1979. The milestone was celebrated at CYDI’s Jacksonville terminal.
“The significant volume of carloads shipped by Conrad Yelvington Distributors over the CSX Transportation network is testament to the great business partnership enjoyed by these two Florida-based companies,” said Clarence Gooden, CSX executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “We are proud to provide one of the most efficient forms of transportation over our nearly 3,000 miles of track in the state.”
Gooden estimated that 1 million carloads would reach roughly 50,000 miles, or almost a quarter of the way to the moon. David Mica, Northeast Florida Director for the Governor’s Office, presented Gary Yelvington, CYDI president, with a letter of congratulations from Gov. Charlie Crist.
“We appreciate the recognition of our partnership with CSX, and we are proud of our contributions to the economy of Florida and the Southeast,” Yelvington said. “On behalf of all employees, we pledge to continue to do our part during this economic recovery.”
CSX Transportation is a supply chain provider in shipping Yelvington’s mineral aggregates from mines to rail distribution terminals where they are prepared for a variety of commercial applications, including building and highway construction. CYDI is one of the largest aggregate distribution terminal operators in the Southeast, with 18 locations in Florida and 10 others throughout Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Michigan.
CYDI terminals handle up to 10 million tons of various aggregate materials per year, using both CSX and its own fleet of approximately 1,500 railcars and 35 locomotives.
“We credit our phenomenal growth to customer support and faith in our ability to successfully operate what is considered in our industry to be a truly unique aggregate distribution network,” Yelvington said. “We respect and appreciate the value of rail transportation provided by CSX.”
Mineral aggregates, ranging from sand to boulders, and including both granite and limestone, are used in the construction of buildings and highways. A typical, single-family home can use more than 300 tons of aggregates and a moderately tall building more than 2,000 tons.
