As your business grows, a North Carolina logistics hub could make sense for many reasons.
North Carolina offers a dynamic economy in a place where people want to be. Statistics show that North Carolina is growing at twice the national average. The cost and quality of life advantages are attracting many companies looking to establish manufacturing and logistics operations here.
But don’t just take our word for it. Media outlets such as CNBC, Forbes, and Business Facilities have all ranked the Tar Heel State the number one state for business. North Carolina’s value as a logistics hub is no small reason why.
Following are 10 advantages of basing logistics operations in North Carolina.
- Central Location. North Carolina sits smack in the middle of the East Coast, midway between Miami and Boston, with easy access to several vital interstate highways like I-95, I-85, and I-40. This prime location enables 1-day distribution, over the road, to 70% of the US population.
- Climate. The state’s moderate climate means less weather-related shipping problems and a smoother supply chain, overall.
- Productive, Non-Union Workforce. The cost of non-unionized labor is traditionally lower than unionized labor. North Carolina is one of the least unionized states in the country as only 2.6% of its workers are in a union. The entire NC-based supply chain therefore has very limited exposure to union strikes or “slowdowns.”
- Lower logistics costs. As noted by Forbes, North Carolina ranks #4 in the U.S. in terms of favorable business costs. That extends to logistics as NC has lower costs for industrial space, lower labor costs, and lower transportation costs.
- Port Access. Located on key Atlantic shipping lanes, North Carolina offers two full-service shipping ports in Wilmington and in Morehead City. For North Carolina logistics operations in the Eastern part of the state, the Port of Virginia at Norfolk/Hampton Roads, VA is just two hours away. Many North Carolina logistics providers support container moves with drayage services within the state.
- Rail Access. With over 3,200 miles of track, North Carolina boasts the largest consolidated rail system in the country. From this network, you can ship directly to 22 different states – with connections to the rest of North America. The state’s rail system has been further bolstered by the CSX Carolina Connector in Eastern NC. This intermodal hub enables rail containers to be offloaded from freight cars arriving at the terminal and then loaded onto another train or truck for final distribution. It can currently handle 1,250,000 containers a year.
- Continued infrastructure investment. North Carolina continues to invest in its infrastructure, specifically its ports and intermodal capabilities. In addition to rail enhancements like the Carolina Connector, port infrastructure enhancements in recent years have included new neopanamax cranes at the Port of Wilmington, new partnerships with major container shipping alliances and port renovations to accommodate larger ships.
- Air Access. North Carolina is home to the sixth busiest airline hub in the United States. The state is served by four major international airports, with more than 1,000 departures daily. No matter where you want to go in the world, you can get there from North Carolina.
- A Hub for Aerospace. More than 180 aerospace companies are engaged in manufacturing in North Carolina. That makes the state a great place to locate if you are a supplier to Boeing, Spirit, Cessna, Honeywell or the many other aerospace companies that do business in the Tar Heel state. There are also North Carolina 3PL providers that specialize in aerospace logistics to support your operations.
- Room to Expand. Unlike logistics hubs in major urban markets across the US, North Carolina has plenty of room for new industrial space. This is especially true in the Eastern part of the state, which is largely rural.
Those are just some of the reasons to consider a North Carolina logistics hub. To capitalize on these advantages without investing in your own buildings and people, consider partnering with the largest third-party logistics company in Eastern North Carolina, Kanban Logistics. We offer nearly 2 million square feet of distribution center space across 7 modern warehouse facilities that feature temperature controlled warehousing space and foreign trade zone capabilities.
We also have a pad in place for a 175,000-sq-ft-or-larger distribution center in Rocky Mount, NC that can be built to suit your precise needs.
For more information, contact us today.
