DECATUR, ILLINOIS, U.S. — Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) on Sept. 19 opened an intermodal container freight shipping and receiving facility that will enable businesses to tap into the company’s deep transportation and logistics expertise and provide a platform for economic growth in central Illinois.

The intermodal ramp, located on 250 acres of land at ADM’s Decatur, Illinois, U.S., processing complex, offers direct access to three Class I railroads and close proximity to four interstate highways and a major U.S. highway.  

For importers and exporters, this unique interchange offers ready access to coastal and export markets. And for all customers, the location provides proximity to 95 million customers within a day’s drive. The facility itself has two high-capacity cranes that can handle 50,000 containers per year, with room to grow to 150,000. 

Intermodal containers can be loaded with virtually any type of product and are transported by truck, railcar and ship. Their flexibility and standard size have made them popular worldwide; there are an estimated 17 million intermodal containers in the world today, and the American Association of Railroads reports that between 2010 and 2012, U.S. intermodal container freight volumes increased nearly 10%.

“ADM’s new intermodal facility will offer businesses of every type the ability to access markets anywhere, at any time, and do so quickly and cost-effectively,” said Scott Fredericksen, president, ADM Transportation. “Our deep logistics experience, vast global transportation network and commitment to outstanding service can offer businesses in and around Central Illinois an unprecedented level of access and reach.”

“We are optimistic that businesses in our region will join us to help drive the economic growth this facility is capable of catalyzing,” Fredericksen added.  “With strong support from our leaders in Springfield and Macon County, we’ve been able to get this project off the drawing board and into operation quickly.  We look forward to seeing it reach its full potential, and to helping Illinois achieve its goal of doubling exports by 2014.”