News Release

BNSF Named Premier Partner by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

FORT WORTH, Texas, September 18, 2001:

The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) today announced that for the fourth consecutive year, it has been named a Premier Partner by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. To date, BNSF is the only supplier that has received this recognition four years in a row. “Just as the more than 2.7 million customers who last year purchased Honda automobiles, motorcycles and power products rely on the Honda name for quality, value and customer service, we rely on the support and shared commitment of our suppliers,” said Gary Kessler, American Honda’s vice president of human resources and administration. Established in 1998, the Premier Partner award recognizes suppliers who embrace American Honda’s philosophy of meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Since the award’s inception, BNSF is one of only 15 companies honored as Premier Partners each year. “With more than 1,500 companies eligible for this award annually, it is a great honor to be named a Premier Partner for the fourth consecutive year,” says Ricci Gardner, vice president, BNSF Automotive. “We look forward to continuing our commitment to providing transportation products and services that meet or exceed Honda’s expectations.” Headquartered in Fort Worth, BNSF operates one of the largest rail networks in North America, with 33,500 route miles of track covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. Moving more than 2.5 million new vehicles annually, BNSF hauls one out of every six new cars or trucks sold in the United States. As one of Honda’s primary rail transportation providers, BNSF moves nearly 500,000 Honda vehicles annually.

The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) today announced that for the fourth consecutive year, it has been named a Premier Partner by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. To date, BNSF is the only supplier that has received this recognition four years in a row.

“Just as the more than 2.7 million customers who last year purchased Honda automobiles, motorcycles and power products rely on the Honda name for quality, value and customer service, we rely on the support and shared commitment of our suppliers,” said Gary Kessler, American Honda’s vice president of human resources and administration.

Established in 1998, the Premier Partner award recognizes suppliers who embrace American Honda’s philosophy of meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Since the award’s inception, BNSF is one of only 15 companies honored as Premier Partners each year.

“With more than 1,500 companies eligible for this award annually, it is a great honor to be named a Premier Partner for the fourth consecutive year,” says Ricci Gardner, vice president, BNSF Automotive. “We look forward to continuing our commitment to providing transportation products and services that meet or exceed Honda’s expectations.”

Headquartered in Fort Worth, BNSF operates one of the largest rail networks in North America, with 33,500 route miles of track covering 28 states and two Canadian provinces. Moving more than 2.5 million new vehicles annually, BNSF hauls one out of every six new cars or trucks sold in the United States. As one of Honda’s primary rail transportation providers, BNSF moves nearly 500,000 Honda vehicles annually.

BNSF Headquarters
BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000