Material, Fuel & Equipment Purchases
How to become an NS Supplier
Suppliers are an integral part of our business. Our goal is to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers who share our commitment to achieving continuing improvements in quality, service, timeliness and cost. Our dealings with suppliers are fair and honest and embrace the highest principles of purchasing practices.
Norfolk Southern welcomes both existing and potential new suppliers to our updated procurement process using SAP. We frequently request quotes for inventoried and non-inventoried items. Our buyers evaluate all responses based on availability, adherence to purchase order price, shipment costs relative to location of need, and overall quality of service and material. Your ability to give and maintain low prices, combined with consistent quality and service is of great importance in our selection of suppliers. All savings achieved by Material Management directly affect the bottom line, and it is the policy of our department to track cost savings. With this in mind our buyers actively seek out new sources of supply on a daily basis.
Our Purchasing group is divided into two areas:
Engineering
The Engineering group in Material Management is responsible for:
- Communications & Technology
- Communications & Signal
- Information Technology, including various high-tech systems for train control, locomotive maintenance
- Federal/State financed grade crossing packages.
- Maintenance of Way & Structures
- Frog and switch requirements, rail and crosstie program requirements
- Track and bridge materials
- Roadway equipment
- Administrative Services
- Purchasing and management of wireless communications (cell phones, air cards, pda's data telemetry)
- Office machinery (copiers, faxes, printers)
Mechanical
The Mechanical group in Material Management is responsible for:
- Car
- Purchase of freight cars and associated materials; leasing of cars, chassis, containers
- Purchase of stationary and office equipment
- Purchase of other freight car materials including air brake material, castings, etc.
- Diesel Fuel
- Locomotive purchasing and leasing
- Purchase of locomotive parts
- Contracts for drayage of fuels
- Purchase of chemicals, lubes, oils, paint, heating oil, safety supplies, train supplies.
- Miscellaneous
- Stationery, office equipment, miscellaneous office supplies, forms
