Logistics: A Solid Cornerstone of Georgia's Competitiveness
We wanted to share an article in Georgia Trend that features the Georgia logistics industry, 'Work in Progress.' Currently worth $15 billion, the logistics industry encompasses over 1 million jobs and is growing fast. 'Work in Progress' details Georgia's strengths, what it took to get us where we are and what we need to go even further.
A few facts:
- Savannah and Brunswick ship to 153 out of 195 countries
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, connects 11,000 logistics providers to the rest of the world.
- Atlanta was formerly called Terminus for its railroads and how has the most extensive rail system in the southeast.
- Georgia's location gives access to four major interstates, putting 80 percent of the country in reach of a two-day truck drive.
Growth, infrastructure and location aren't Georgia's only strengths, though. Innovation is key, and Georgia speaks innovation. 'Logistics is an old industry,' said Center of Innovation (COI) for Logistics Executive Director Page Siplon. 'It has not evolved much in terms of what we ship through the years, and now it's changing very rapidly.' The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) COI for Logistics provides focused expertise, specific industry data, connections to state resources and an extensive cross-industry network. Resources include infrastructure, like the ports, airport, roads and rail. They also include Georgia's world-class education programs, such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, with the top-ranked Industrial and Systems Engineering program in the U.S. Georgia's network of colleges and technical colleges combine to offer over 100 logistics-related certificates and degrees. Georgia also hosts the top workforce training program in the U.S., Quick Start, which provides specialized training free of charge. New technology is revolutionizing the logistics industry, and Georgia is making sure to stay ahead of the curve. With online retail, logistics has become a 24/7 industry.
'We must build our direct fulfillment capability to improve our ability to deliver to our customers, with speed and great value, whatever, whenever, wherever, and however they want.'
Mark Holifield
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
The Home Depot
Georgia hosts over 11,000 logistics companies, some big, many small. These small companies are key, 'acting like big companies and offering quality solutions,' said Siplon. With a network like that, no wonder Georgia's logistics industry is predicted to grow faster than the national average and three times the rate of the southeast. Learn more about GDEcD's COIs—targeted at six key industries—and the COI for Logistics.
The Fifth Annual Georgia Logistics Summit
The Center of Innovation for Logistics is hosting the Fifth Annual Georgia Logistics Summiton March 19-20 in the Georgia World Congress Center. The 2012 Summit attracted 1,600 attendees from both the public and private sectors; the 2013 Summit registration passed this mark weeks ago. This year's summit hosts speakers including key logistics executives from companies such as Kroger, UPS, Dell and The Home Depot. With attendees from across the world and panels focusing on international logistics, the Summit will offer a wide range of development and networking opportunities. Registration closes on March 8.
Click here for the full article. We hope you find it interesting.