Schneider Speeds Up Mexico-US Shipping With CPKC Network

Schneider has cut transit times from Mexico to Chicago from seven to just four days thanks to its strategic shift to the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail network. 

“Our cross-border objective is not just to move goods — is it to move them smarter, faster, and more securely. Decreasing shipping time by even a few days matters to our customers because the faster products can get on the shelves, the faster those items can land in the hands of consumers. No one matches our speed, our security, or our reliability in this current environment,” says Michael Baumgardt, Senior Vice President of Intermodal, Schneider.

The advantages that the Schneider-CPKC service provides include:

• Speed and consistency: Schneider’s partnership with CPKC brings daily scheduled departures and industry-best on-time performance. Customers benefit from up to 12% reductions in transit time, which is the fastest scheduled intermodal service in and out of Mexico.

• Top tier security: With a 99.98% cross-border security rate, Schneider sets the bar for safe intermodal shipping. Leveraging a seamless, stop-free connection over the CPKC Laredo bridge, combined with advanced theft prevention protocols, the company maintains the lowest incident and theft rates in the industry.

• Asset ownership and strategic partnerships: Schneider owns its containers and chassis in Mexico and has established in-country operations for greater control and flexibility. Priority access to CPKC infrastructure ensures capacity availability even during high-demand periods.

• Deep market knowledge: Schneider’s dedicated bilingual support teams and deep local knowledge streamline every step of the cross-border shipping process from customs to final delivery.

With nearshoring accelerating, Schneider’s intermodal offering is uniquely positioned to meet the shifting demands of manufacturers and distributors. In 2024, Mexico’s total cross-border intermodal market grew by 17%, while Schneider doubled that pace, thanks in part to its expanded truck-to-rail conversion model.

To support this rapid growth, CPKC completed a major infrastructure project: a second rail-only bridge over the Rio Grande at Laredo. This bridge more than doubles cross-border train capacity and incorporates cutting-edge inspection technology — including high-speed imaging and in-motion X-rays — to streamline inspections without slowing trains down.

“Our strategic collaboration with Schneider has delivered new transportation solutions made possible through the unrivaled reach of the CPKC network,” says Jonathan Wahba, Senior Vice President Bulk and Intermodal, CPKC. 

New services launched in late 2024 extend Schneider’s intermodal reach from Mexico and Texas into the US Southeast, creating new opportunities for shippers in sectors like automotive, appliances, electronics, food, produce, and tires.