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Topics: Rise of 3PL Fulfillment Services, Supply Chain Strategy, Regional Distribution Center

As the economy continues to prosper, e-commerce sales have become a way of life and manufacturing production overruns are becoming increasingly familiar. So where do you turn? You could consider an expansion to the existing property or locate a 3PL warehouse to store 50,000-100,000 square feet of production overruns as inventory and manage it for you. It’s not often that industrial property with >100,000 square feet is readily available. Q1 2019 saw a slight uptick in vacancy rate to 5.0 percent—so all eyes are on leasing activity now. Spartan Logistics customers reach out knowing our unique expanded 3PL services include our affiliation with NAI Harmon Group of Toledo, OH, and Logan Creek Construction of Oregon, OH. Having these resources gives Spartan Logistics an opportunity to differentiate and locate available industrial real estate options for our potential and existing customers with a diverse portfolio of commercial property all across the US.  Read More

Topics: Warehouses in Toledo Ohio, Industrial Real Estate Market, Supply Chain Strategy, Regional Distribution Center, NAI Harmon Group

Railways keep most industries moving, quite literally. Unloading rail cars in a warehouse setting need to be executed quickly and safely upon arrival, so they are well on their way. So How Does Spartan Logistics Unload Rail Cars While Reducing Risk and Improving Production? With a collaboration of Spartan's Warehouse Manager, a local vendor with a national equipment manufacturer account, and a Director of Maintenance at the Spartan corporate level — the overall solution agreed upon was centered almost exclusively around the safety and increased productivity of a high-end rotating clamp truck to unload 2-3 ton paper rolls from rail cars from the Fort Smith, AR rail access warehouse.  Read More

Topics: Rise of 3PL Fulfillment Services, Supply Chain Strategy, Logistics News, Warehouses with rail capacity, Logistic Leaders

Tornadoes, floods, four-alarm fires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a doomed reality for any business. In 2012 I experienced such a disaster while working for an industrial company with no emergency plan in place. Without much warning, a tornado ripped through the rural county leaving a 1/4-mile of destruction along the way. Employees were not alerted where to seek shelter or lockdown—it was complete chaos. I was told by company personnel…”The county was a low-risk area for tornadoes so we didn’t see the urgency in pre-planning for such a disaster.” It’s like watching the news and you’re thinking…that could never happen here. So How Do You Prepare? The following is a list of critical procedures to implement: Designate an emergency planning team Develop an emergency disaster plan Designate employees to perform key emergency leadership roles Practice as many of elements of your plan throughout the year Have a customer communications plan Document a list of emergency contacts Perfect a procedure to inform employees of an emergency A fully stocked first aid kit Up-to-date fire extinguishers A safe indoor/outdoor gathering point A list of equipment that is required to be shut down or secured Secure flammable liquids and tanks Make sure everyone has photo identification available— local authorities may only permit people who own property in a disaster-affected area. Plan to temporarily relocate inventory and equipment  Read More

Topics: Rise of 3PL Fulfillment Services, Supply Chain Strategy, Logistics News, Logistic Leaders

Are you in touch with what is happening in the industrial real estate market? A shortage exists everywhere, creating real challenges for businesses seeking to expand in their marketplace. For example, Napa Valley's industrial warehouse vacancies are now at 1.3 percent. The thriving wine industry finds its growth and margins constrained due to a lack of space to store inventory, and higher freight costs to store it farther away. In 2017, commercial properties in most markets enjoyed the sustained growth of demand, high occupancy rates, and rising rents. This is under added pressure in 2018 due to rising interest rates and increased U.S. manufacturing activity encouraged by recent tax reforms. U.S. industrial rents now average $5.53 per square foot with a year-over-year increase of 5.3 percent. Many tenants are in the difficult situation where expiring long-term leases are 30-50% below today’s market rates. For example, if you have been leasing space for the past ten years at a $4.50 sq. ft. rate and the owner comes to you this year to let you know the rate is increasing to $6.50 per sq. ft., your options are to absorb this cost, buy the building or vacate. Do you have an immediate plan in place to address the options you’ve been given? As top logistics markets continue to operate at a sub–3.5 percent vacancy rate, you can expect continued competition for quality warehouse and distribution space to add pressure on rents through 2018. First Quarter 2018 warehousing vacancy by US Region - Source: U.S. Real Estate News: U.S. warehouse and distribution rents rise as vacancy rates dip.  Read More

Topics: Industrial Real Estate Market, Supply Chain Strategy