Toyota honors UP for customer service, continuous improvement

Union Pacific Railroad has received the 2016 Toyota Logistics Excellence Award in Customer Service for the ninth consecutive year and, for the first time, the Kaizen Excellence Award recognizing excellence in continuous improvement, the Class I announced yesterday.

This year is the first time Toyota honored a railroad with the Kaizen award, which commends UP's use of Toyota's problem-solving process to ensure damage-free loading at the auto ramp in Benicia, Calif., according to a UP press release.

"We're honored to receive the inaugural Kaizen award, demonstrating our dedication to continuous improvement, efficiency and shipment quality," said Jennifer Hamann, UP's vice president and general manager-automotive. "It is also a privilege to receive Toyota's Logistics Excellence Award in Customer Service year after year, as it reflects our unwavering commitment to provide an excellent customer experience."

UP ships Toyota vehicles and auto parts throughout North America.