Matson Logistics Set to Expand in Bryan County
Savannah, Ga. – Sept. 26, 2012 – Matson Logistics is expanding its Port of Savannah distribution operations and recently signed a lease to expand its presence in Building 100 at Interstate Centre in Bryan County.
The expansion is expected to create over 40 new jobs in the next five years and add 237,600 sq. ft. to their current 135,000 sq. ft. facility. Interstate Centre, Building 100 is a 604,930 SF, state of the art, cross dock distribution facility that is designed for today’s sophisticated logistics user looking for heavy trailer storage, deep truck courts, immediate access to the Interstate system and the world’s shipping lanes. The building is a public-private partnership between TPA Realty Services and the Development Authority of Bryan County.
Matson Logistics, which provides warehousing and distribution services in the Port of Savannah market, is expanding its presence in the region. The company has been operating in Black Creek since 2011 and has an additional location in Pooler.
Matson Logistics began offering warehousing and distribution services in 2008 as an expansion of its suite of logistics capabilities, which encompass domestic and international rail intermodal service, long haul and regional highway service, supply chain services and LTL transportation services. It currently operates warehousing and distribution facilities in Northern and Southern California, as well as the Port of Savannah market.
The addition to the Black Creek warehouse, 18 miles west of Georgia Ports Authority terminals, is scheduled to begin later this month. With the expanded facility, Matson Logistics’ full-time staff at Black Creek is expected to exceed 100 within the next few years. James Scarboro manages the area operations for Matson Logistics.
“Matson Logistics is investing in the Savannah market and community. We have a great team of employees dedicated to providing the best service to our customers,” Scarboro said. “It has been a pleasure working with the entire Bryan County community over the past year. Matson and Bryan County have built a partnership for growth and success and we are starting to see the fruits of our labor with this expansion. Matson plans to continue to build our presence and reputation in the region as a long-term provider of premium warehousing and logistics services for goods moving through the Port of Savannah.”
“This expansion once again proves that Interstate Centre is the ideal location for supply chain companies looking to use GPA terminals. With our comparable drayage rates to Savannah's rates and our low taxes plus skilled workforce, we provide the ideal business climate for a company’s real estate needs. Matson has been a great corporate citizen in their short time in Bryan County and we are excited that our partnership with them will continue to grow,” said DABC Chairman Steve Croy.
Interstate Centre is a 1,100-acre Class A Industrial Park located at the Intersection of I-16 and US 280, 18 Miles west of the Port of Savannah. Interstate Centre is the only Tier 1 Industrial Park in the Savannah MSA and is a magnet site for Foreign Trade Zone #104 (Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport).
Matson Logistics joins Oneida, Blue Bell Creameries, Kawasaki, Oracal USA and others in calling Interstate Centre home to its Savannah Metro distribution operations.
“When companies like Matson expand, it means they have the confidence that Georgia’s business environment is healthy and ready to support their growth,” said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “We’re pleased that Matson will in turn create jobs and increase its presence in the state’s logistics infrastructure.”
The expansion is expected to be a boost to Matson's use of the GPA’s Garden City Terminal.
“Matson is a longtime port user, and we’re excited to see them expanding in our local area. This is one in a flurry of recent announcements springing from the Port of Savannah commercial real estate sector. Matson’s decision to expand to 370,000 square feet in Bryan County is another good example of positive net absorption in our commercial real estate sector, and a testament to the Port of Savannah area’s logistical advantages,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “Increasingly, the Port of Savannah area is a strategic market for third party logistics warehouse and distribution operations. Locating in proximity to the ports makes for a more efficient business model, allowing greater flexibility and utilization of company assets.”
About Matson
Founded in 1882, Matson is one of the leading U.S. carriers in the Pacific. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the island economies of Hawaii, Guam and Micronesia and premium, expedited service from China to Southern California. The Company's fleet of 17 ships includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off vessels, and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout the continental U.S. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage and warehousing. Additional information about Matson, Inc. is available at www.matson.com (NYSE: ALEX).
Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 352,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $18.5 billion in income, $66.9 billion in revenue and $2.5 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah was the second busiest U.S. container port for the export of American goods by tonnage in FY2011. It also handled 8.7 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 12.5 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in FY2011.