Rail-car users form new trade association

The Private Railcar Food and Beverage Association Inc. (PRFBA) has been formed to represent 13 global food and beverage companies and manufacturers in North America.

The trade group was incorporated in January, after a group of food and beverage company representatives met for several months to discuss improvements to managing and utilizing their private rail-car fleets, according to a PRFBA press release.

A PRFBA board of directors was formed in February.

PRFBA members meet regularly to discuss opportunities and solutions to rail-car service challenges. The membership also will collaborate with other trade groups with regard to industry trends and legislation, association officials said.

In addition, the association anticipates meeting with four North American Class Is at least twice a year as a group. The association's board expects to meet with the railroads throughout the year.

"PRFBA offers us the capability to work in partnership with other supply chains and rail providers to bring our scale together and present opportunities that would not be there otherwise," said Rocco Palmieri, a representative of The Kraft Heinz Co.