Dive Brief:
- Indiana Rail Road and Venture Logistics announced the opening of a new Venture Rail Warehouse and Distribution Center on Indianapolis' South Side on Thursday.
- The 406,000 square-foot facility has 15 indoor rail car spots, 58 truck dock doors, a 32-foot clear ceiling, 8-inch cement floors, and is food grade. The partners say their facility is a "gamechanger" because existing warehouses are not as large.
- Indiana Rail Road will serve as the exclusive rail service provider for the facility, and the Venture logistics fleet is composed of 1,000 truck tractors and 2,500 trailers. The companies will provide multiple rail switches based on volume and inventory and management systems.
Dive Insight:
Indiana Rail Road and Venture logistics are betting that this warehouse can do a lot to service companies in central Indiana that want to utilize rail and regional trucking. They're hopeful enough that they've secured a second warehouse on a neighboring property that could potentially reach 500,000 square feet.
This could provide a big boost for manufacturing and logistics in central Indiana. CSX Corp. is increasing capacity and train speed along its tracks between Seymour and Butlerville, IN, next month. It is looking to operate longer trains at higher speeds for more efficiency and improved connectivity for area manufacturers, farmers and marine ports.
