CRMS is privatized sales and marketing company
that represents several rail car cleaning and maintenance facilities
throughout the United States. CRMS' goal is to make the process of cleaning
and repairing rail cars more efficient for shippers. CRMS achieves this
goal by providing an extra level of customer service above that previously
provided by the facilities themselves.
2. Why should I use CRMS?
Increased Efficiency-CRMS provides shippers with a single point
of contact that they can use throughout the entire process of cleaning and
repairing their cars. This eliminates the need to make multiple phone calls
to multiple people at the cleaning facilities. Effectively, CRMS performs
all the legwork necessary to get your cars cleaned and repaired in a timely
and cost-effective fashion. CRMS achieves this by tracking each car
through the process and sending our customers detailed weekly status
reports on the progress of their cars. CRMS customer service
representatives maintain daily contact with our facilities so that we can
manage every detail of the process and relieve our customers of this burden.
Lower Cost-CRMS can lower your cleaning costs in two different ways.
The first is by combining cars from multiple shippers to achieve volume
discounts.
The second is involves using various methods to reduce disposal costs.
In either case, CRMS is happy to pass these savings on to our customers.
3. How do I use CRMS to clean and repair my cars?
Simply contact your CRMS customer service representative or complete the
shopping form on this website. CRMS will take it from there. We will
determine which of our facilities can complete the work for the lowest
cost, at the closest location, and in the least amount of time. We will
then advise you of the estimated cost and throughput and make sure the
cars are moving in the right direction. We will continue to monitor the
cars as they move throughout the entire process.
4. Is CRMS a cleaning and maintenance "broker"?
An example of a "broker" in the context of the railroad industry is someone
who leases a large number of rail cars and then sub-leases the cars at a
higher price. In effect, the broker buys something and re-sells it at a
higher price. This is not what CRMS does.
CRMS is outsourced sales and customer service firm that represents
rail car cleaning and maintenance facilities. We work as sales agents for
the facilities and are compensated by the facilities. The work that we do
for shippers comes at no additional cost to the shippers. Shippers should
think of CRMS as being one and the same as the facilities that we represent.
5. Why are we getting something for nothing?
You are not getting something for nothing.
You are getting what you deserve. By employing CRMS, the facilities can
provide a more value-added service. Our proactive approach represents a
new direction in this industry. We believe it will lead to stronger
relationships between shippers and facilities.
6. What are the hidden costs associated with using CRMS?
There are no hidden costs. Sales and marketing are costs associated with
running any business. The facilities recognize that they can save money
on these costs by employing CRMS to perform their sales and marketing
functions. The facilities also recognize that CRMS can perform additional
value-added services that are not currently being offered.
7. My cars are all on full-service leases and I usually have the
cleaning done at the lessor's shop. Why should I send my cars to a different
shop for cleaning?
The typical full service lease specifies certain cleaning and repair items
as being the responsibility of the lessee. Among these are general cleaning
and the repair of bottom outlet valves, top unloading valves/arrangements,
manway and gaskets. The typical full service lease also allows this customer
responsibility work to be performed at any AAR approved facility. Shippers
can often save time and money on the cleaning and repairs that are their
responsibility by having the work done at a facility other than the one
specified by the car owner.