April 10, 2012
Jeff Griffin, Business Development with Mashburn, recently spent the day at the TDL (Transportation, Distribution and Logistics) Council Summit held at the Hilton in Columbia, SC. All three areas are economic drivers in our state. As speaker Jimmie Gianoukos of ATS Logistics said "Everything in your life--people don't think about it--but whether it be toothpaste, tv's, food, furniture, it all comes through these modes of transportation…People who are not involved in this industry don't think about how it gets in their homes but without it, we'd be a third world country and wouldn't live the life we live today.” A thoroughly developed and strong transportation, distribution and logistics infrastructure supports manufacturing and can also support the myriad other industries moving into our state. South Carolina’s TDL Industry involves approximately 2,600 firms that employ more than 44,000 workers. The industry’s payroll totals $1.7 billion. Recent announcements like Continental Tire’s decision to invest nearly $500 million in Sumter County along with a projected 1600 jobs is proof positive that a strong Port of Charleston and a cost effective transportation system is key to South Carolina’s growth. Shipping traffic is expanding at the Port of Charleston – at the rate of 18% in the last two years according to the SC State Ports Authority (SCSPA). With the expansion of the Panama Canal, larger ships will be calling on Ports in the Southeast. Charleston is one of the Ports that may be able to accommodate the largest ships. The SCSPA is currently studying a dredging project to prepare for these large ocean liners. Distribution Center and Manufacturing Facility Construction in South Carolina relies on efficient logisitics and transportation networks. South Carolina is well positioned to capitalize on new investments because of the Port of Charleston, a strong railroad system, efficient airports, an extensive highway system, and the overall business climate.
For more information, please visit: www.tdlcouncilsc.com http://www.columbiabusinessmonthly.com/View-Article/ArticleID/1372/The-Synthesis-of-SC-Transportation.aspx http://www.newcarolina.org/clusters/tdlcouncil.aspx
