Partners Warehouse is a freight-transportation provider that processes rail-to-truck and truck-to-rail bulk cargo shipments. According to the company, its current 150,000-sf freight distribution facility in southwest suburban Hodgkins, IL, which is also served by BNSF, is outdated and too small. Partners' future facility at CenterPoint Intermodal will have direct access to the BNSF intermodal yard, including a double-rail spur into the building, providing 14 double-dock doors from which 28 rail cars can be loaded or unloaded at the same time.

When the intermodal facility is completed in the summer of 2002, the center will be the only industrial business park in the metro area with intermodal facilities on site. Union Pacific will also have access to the park.

CenterPoint COO Mike Mullen cites a number of industries interested in the park's rail capabilities, including paper companies, plastic makers, chemical concerns and food handlers. "Some companies may use train car loads of different plastics," he explains, "for example, different kinds of plastics at different times of the day. That kind of company would be interested in a place where it can all be handled efficiently."