New Online Resource Allows Customers to Find Watco Services

Watco has launched the first phase of GeoConnect, a web-based customer resource that centralizes five service offerings at various Watco-owned or -operated locations.

Under phase I, launched last month, customers or prospective customers have the ability to find a Watco location that fits their need for railcar storage. In later stages, they’ll be able to find locations offering four other services:

• Transloading

• Warehousing and/or material handling

• Space to grow at our established sites

• Greenfield industrial development

In this initial phase, users can view railcar storage locations on a map, search by address, or view a list of Watco locations offering railcar storage. Users can filter by state, Class I railroad, whether the track at the site can support the industry-standard railcar weight of 286,000 lbs., and whether a site is suited for hazmat cars (empty, or loaded). For individual locations, users can see details like the railcar capacity, transload capability, and Class I interchanges associated with that location.

David McCloud, director of leasing and storage, says some current storage customers gave feedback for the site, and that the site’s interactive nature will be attractive to users. “They can view all our storage locations on the map, zoom in/out to desired state or region, and filter based upon their requirements to obtain detailed information for each location. It gives them the ability to put in their criteria and get useful information ahead of contacting us.”

Contacting Watco is exactly what Watco hopes users will do. In fact, a key feature of the site – www.watco.com/geoconnect – is the ability for users to choose how they prefer to reach the Watco team for additional information or assistance: by phone, email, or filling out a web form.

In future GeoConnect phases, the services are designed to work in a way similar to railcar storage: Customers and potential customers will have the ability to use GeoConnect to find physical Watco-owned or -operated locations that could benefit their business, and then ideally they will contact Watco for a discussion.

Working with an outside website developer, Watco team members from several departments continue to develop GeoConnect. They anticipate the next phase, offering transloading, will be available in the first half of 2023.