CONTENT PARTNERS B usiness leaders from high tech to manufacturing express variations on the same theme: Success requires moving quickly while building on a solid foundation. The maxim applies to the cities and regions that compete for leadership in logistics.
“The number one thing is transportation infrastructure,” says David J. Closs, Ph.D., chair emeritus of business administration and former chairperson of the Department of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University. It’s a paradox: In logistics, speed and reliability depend on things that are fixed in place—ports, airports, highways, and railroads that provide the means for transporting goods. Successful logistics regions capitalize on the advantages of their geography and transportation infrastructure, continually investing in and enhancing those assets. SOLID FOUNDATIONS, SPEEDY SUPPLY CHAINS Along with providing the transportation infrastructure, the strongest logistics locations also create a favorable business climate for the companies that transport and manage goods. “Not far behind transportation is the tax infrastructure,” Closs says. Favorable taxes and a qualified labor force help logistics providers operate economically and efficiently. Bringing these elements together requires cooperation among community
always obvious. What is your current competitive advantage?” Strong regional entities like the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), with its gateway ports in Savannah and Brunswick; Port Tampa Bay, with its ideal blend of logistics strengths; and WSI, a 3PL with rail-served warehouses and national reach, can make all the difference. BUILDING A TALENT PIPELINE A qualified labor and talent pool is essential for communities to achieve logistics leadership. Both operational workers and executive/management personnel “have to be much more knowledgeable in terms of dealing with tools and technology than they did in the past,” says Closs. Satisfying that necessity requires robust partnerships with the region’s academic community. Colleges and universities are expanding and improving supply chain education, but Closs believes they need to accelerate their offerings even more. Community leaders must keep a close eye on industry trends reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and make sure the region’s level of logistics training aligns with the growth and projections reflected in BLS data (see sidebar on page 38) , Closs notes. PROVIDING CAPACITY AND CONNECTIVITY Thanks in no small measure to their ports, two communities ranking high on the list of logistics-friendly locations are Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia.
leaders, government officials, and operators of the region’s critical logistics assets.
The ability of all these entities to work together can help turn a collection of advantages into a stand-out site. Maintaining a competitive position requires constant vigilance. “First, you must understand what your distinct advantage is,” Closs says. “That’s not
One of the largest and fastest- growing container terminals in North America, Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal handles containerized cargo and other container shipments moving through the Port of Savannah.
October 2026 • Inbound Logistics 37
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