Logistics and Distribution Industry Cluster

Logistics and Distribution:
PTP Cluster Director: Dave Hauser

Logistics and Distribution is composed of those business establishments that directly engage in the transportation of products, facilitate the transportation of products through their core business, support the organizations that engage in or facilitate the transportation of products, and media/associations who report on or otherwise engage in social opportunities for those engaged in the transportation of products.

  PIEDMONT TRIAD ROUNDTABLE FOR LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION

Strengthening Innovation in Regional Economic Development

DEFINITION

Logistics and Distribution Is composed of those business establishments that either directly engage in the transportation of products, facilitate the transportation of products through their core business, support the organizations that engage in or facilitate the transportation of products, those whose business requires these services, and media/associations who report on or otherwise engage in social opportunities for those engaged in the transportation of products.

CLUSTER VISION STATEMENT

In 3-5 years, the Piedmont Triad Region will be recognized as the fastest growing, most business friendly global logistics center on the US East Coast. Our Airport will become a hub for international airfreight. Manufacturers/Distributors will establish and grow manufacturing and warehousing operations for both domestic and international distribution.

CLUSTER MISSION

To create the largest, most efficient and secure Logistics and Distribution Center on the U.S. East Coast as well as being recognized as the most advanced Logistics, Distribution and Supply Chain educational center on a global basis.

ACTION TEAMS:  

Government / Land use Planning: In order to realize the Logistics and Distribution potential of the Piedmont Triad Region we recognize that it must start with a team effort by all regional government entities. From elected officials, to city, county and municipal government departments, we must all work together to  create and sustain the force necessary to move our region into the expanding global economy.  An important facet of this is proper land and asset planning. With FedEx due to open the new PTI sort facility in June of 2009, we must start the planning now for proper and sustainable growth. This Action Teams responsibilities are to begin the process of bringing regional logistics industries as well as regional government entities into the discussion and coordination process.

Promoting the Piedmont Triad Region as the Largest Logistics Center on the US East Coast: With our logistics infrastructure, our abundance of transportation assets as well as distribution facilities and again, the opening in June of 2009 of the FedEx South Atlantic Sort Facility, we stand poised to create something wonderful in our region. With proper planning we have the capability of not only creating thousands of jobs for our regional citizens and upcoming high school graduates, we also have the opportunity of growing our region in other industries as well as increasing our cultural and quality of life potential. The prospect of creating a logistics, distribution and supply chain educational system that is known world wide is not a flight of fancy. By regional industry working with regional educational systems including regional school boards, community colleges and our 4 year colleges and universities we can create an educational curriculum that is the envy of the world. 

Logistics Education: In support of any logistics effort you must have education at the forefront. Those that have been in the logistics industry for some time realize that times are changing. Although, at one time, logistics education was based solely on "learn by doing" or "on the job" training, the new intricacies in global supply chain and logistics movement requires a much more sophisticated understanding of the ins and outs of goods movement. Programs developed to educate K-12 students; those that may be community college or university bound as well as displaced and/or incumbent workers must be coordinated so each level of education dovetails into the other. As well, a program of work that includes the "practical" or "on the job" aspects of an education are critical in this industry career path. This team includes industry leaders in the global supply chain field as well as educators from K-12, Community College and University systems.

 
Promoting Logistics to Youth as a Career Path: Our Children and our Young Adults are our future. This holds true in all industries and most especially in Logistics and Distribution. Our industry has changed and is now one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. With the world becoming more global in reach and smaller in distance it is critical that our youth have an understanding of just what logistics is and how it fits into the economy. In order to ensure that our industry grows and has the potential  to recruit and maintain a strong workforce, we must first ensure that prospective workers know what the industry is, what the job and career path capabilities are and, to be honest, just how much fun a career in Logistics, Distribution and Supply chain can be. This team's directive is to determine the best ways and means of accomplishing this goal.