Dive Brief:
- A recent study by the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness finds that the state's logistics industry includes more than 600 logistics companies, from transportation to air freight providers and warehouse and distribution centers, a press release by the South Carolina Logistics Industry reports.
- The study, authored by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, notes that export sales are especially strong. For the past seven years, South Carolina has recorded annual increases in total export sales, with last year's $31.3 billion an increase of $400 million YoY.
- The state's top export commodities were vehicles, aircraft, machinery, rubber and electrical machinery. The recipients include China, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom and Mexico.
Dive Insight:
By highlighting its current logistics success, South Carolina seeks to draw more industry to the state.
As U.S. manufacturing continues to expand, most within the industry are optimistic about the future, as shipments of manufactured durable goods have risen in five of the last six months.
South Carolina is particularly focused on growing its current manufacturing and logistics base.
"Our initiative is focused on the needs of both logistics providers (such as transportation providers, warehousing/distribution and logistics companies like 3PL, freight forwarders, logistics focused technology/software companies, freight packaging companies) and logistics users (such as advanced manufacturing companies, agribusiness," Suzanne Dickerson, Director of Logistics Industry Initiatives for the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, told Supply Chain Dive.
The Council on Competitiveness report was sparked by the state's goal of aggressive logistics growth.
"We know that the logistics industry is a priority for the state because every company relies on it to conduct business," Dickerson said. "We also know that companies locate where they know they can have success, and one of the key factors in success is the ability to quickly and efficiently transport goods to market."
Dickerson adds that currently, the biggest growth drivers in the state are "advanced manufacturing based on the state's success in recruitment [that] requires a strong logistics cluster to support it."
"Also of great importance are "investments in infrastructure, like the widening and deepening of the Port of Charleston, and new intermodal facilities, like the one which will open in Dillon next year," she said.
