<p><strong>Riverhead, NY</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In late April, Railex LLC has plans to increase its weekly service platform. Five years ago Railex began a weekly train service from Washington State to the Northeast and the strategy has proved successful and the company has grown steadily by 30-40 % annually. The company also added a California facility in 2008. Pat Bruno, Sr. V.P. of Sales and Marketing, stated, "With fuel prices increasing on a steady basis this year and talk of over $5.00 a gallon this summer , we felt it was important to increase our weekly frequency as soon as possible."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The proactive approach to expanding services and the growth of the business is not just a business philosophy but one built from personal experience as well. Andy Pollak, CEO and President of Railex has operated the company with firsthand knowledge from the perspective of both a shipper and receiver. He has brought to his role the experience of a third generation farmer, and knows the challenges when it cost growers more in freight than the product.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Andy Pollak, states, “I’ve seen the higher cost of transportation get passed down to the grower." He continues, "Our goal is to be responsible and help alleviate some of the burden growers have from higher freight cost associated with getting their product to market. By adding capacity this will allow them an opportunity to see a higher return to the farm.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
