Virginia Wants to Help and We Want to Help Them

On December 7 in Richmond, VA, I had the honor of making a presentation about the third-party warehousing logistics industry to the Virginia Global Logistics Forum, organized by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Also presenting at the forum was my colleague and fellow DC Velocity blogger, Randy Mullett, Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs for Con-way Inc., an IWLA member company.

This occasion gave us the opportunity to educate more than 80 people from economic development districts and real estate providers in the commonwealth about the logistics industry, who were, what we do and how we contribute to the economic well-being of all businesses in Virginia.

Randy stressed that speed to market and related reduction in inventory costs can only come when truck productivity is part of the package, especially given the essential role trucks play in issue first and last miles of freight shipments. He also informed them how without freight-friendly policies, economic growth will seek communities where freight can move more easily.

The forum also provided me with a priceless opportunity to learn about what the state is doing under its current political leadership to improve the climate for business and job growth. One thing I learned is that Virginia is very receptive to new business development that adds jobs, and state officials view logistics as a core industry they need to support and promote.

This is a refreshing change from what we face in many other states, where business seems to be viewed as a necessary evil and a golden goose to be squeezed for more taxes and burdened with job-killing regulations.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising, given that this is the state that is the home to many companies dependent on supply chain services, the Hampton Roads ports and the I-95 corridor as well as its parallel rail lines that supply the entire East Coast with goods.  Nonetheless, I believe Virginia officials’ knowledge of the industry needs to be expanded. As is too often the case even in states that are receptive to supporting supply chain improvements, they need to learn more about the third-party logistics industry and the essential role it plays in the economy.

After the forum ended, Randy and I received many requests for copies of our PowerPoint presentations and business cards from the other attendees. Those present heard our message, which was, to put it simply, that 3PLs are the supply chain subject matter experts. If you want to develop Virginia as a center of supply chain and logistics excellence, just ask us and we can help you. But if you choose to leave us out of the equation, then you are likely to make costly mistakes when it comes to site location and industrial planning.

The goal of IWLA participating in these government-related economic development meetings is to advance our industry as a reliable source of vital knowledge regarding these issues. Our hope is that through this aggressive outreach, we can educate the people who control planning decisions and government funding. This includes showing them how the “New Urbanism” is anti-trade and anti-commerce until its advocates consider how to include the movement of freight to and from consumers and retailers.