Atlanta Business Chronicle: Powering Georgia’s manufacturing from the ground up

The following article appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual Made in Georgia manufacturing edition on September 26, 2025.

Georgia is home to one of the nation’s most dynamic manufacturing sectors. From poultry products and paper to cement and consumer goods, these industries fuel jobs, exports, and community growth across the state. Behind the scenes, Norfolk Southern(NS) is the trusted partner keeping this economic engine running—delivering raw materials in, shipping finished goods out, and ensuring Georgia-made products reach markets worldwide.

Serving Georgia’s Manufacturing Leaders

Norfolk Southern connects Georgia manufacturers of every size with the supply chains they need to succeed. The company serves iconic names with deep roots in the state, including Coca-Cola, Georgia-Pacific, Smurfit/WestRock, Fieldale Farms, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Argos USA, Southern Chips, ADM, and Cargill.

Whether it’s moving pulpboard for packaging, cement for construction, or poultry products for export, NS is woven into the daily success of Georgia businesses and the communities they support.

Everyday Impact, Extraordinary Scale

The numbers tell the story of how rail supports everyday life in Georgia by safely moving these products:

• Fertilizer: Enough to treat more than 15 million farms, sustaining the state’s strong agricultural base.
• Tires: Enough to equip over 1.4 million vehicles, keeping Georgia’s drivers—and auto manufacturers—on the move.
• Pulpboard: Enough to produce 38 billion egg cartons, vital for Georgia’s poultry industry.
• Cement: Enough to build 44,000 swimming pools, fueling construction projects from Atlanta to Augusta.

These shipments rarely make headlines, but they are the backbone of Georgia’s economy.

Connecting Georgia to the World

Georgia’s logistics network gives regional businesses a competitive edge, with NS helping them expand their reach and accelerate growth.

• Atlanta is a rail hub, linking Georgia manufacturers to key Southeastern markets.
• Savannah and Brunswick ports provide direct access to global trade, with NS rail lines ensuring Georgia goods can flow seamlessly to overseas buyers.
• Statewide access powered by over 1,000 miles of NS track allows for both multinational corporations and local businesses to scale with confidence.

By providing fast, reliable rail service, Norfolk Southern gives Georgia manufacturers the supply chain strength they need to compete globally.

A Partner for Growth and Sustainability

Rail isn’t just efficient—it is also the most sustainable way to transport goods over land. In Georgia, Norfolk Southern’s rail operations avoid over 930,400 metric tons of CO₂ annually, a reduction equivalent to taking more than 3.9 million trucks off the highway each year. That same commitment to a cleaner future extends to the communities we serve. From workforce development to economic growth initiatives, Norfolk Southern ensures that as Georgia manufacturers grow, local communities grow stronger, too.

The Force Behind Georgia Manufacturing

From farms to factories, from packaging to ports, Norfolk Southern is a force powering Georgia’s manufacturing ecosystem. Every shipment tells a story of connection: products delivered, jobs supported, communities strengthened. As Georgia continues to lead the way in U.S. manufacturing, Norfolk Southern remains a vital partner in helping drive that progress.

Learn more about how Norfolk Southern is helping Georgia manufacturers compete and grow: norfolksouthern.com.