GLOBAL LOGISTICS
As manufacturing moves overseas, the need arises
to develop logistical supply chains to move these
manufactured goods from overseas factories into stores
throughout the United States. The rapid growth of
distribution facilities throughout Virginia is no
accident. Virginia is advantageously located midway
along the eastern seaboard of North America. The
states
excellent port facilities in both Hampton Roads and
Front Royal along with its international airports
in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are all tied
together by extensive networks of interstate rail
and highways providing ready access to in-state and
out-of-state markets.
The increased complexity of moving goods
by sea, air, rail, highway and within the distribution
centers themselves has created the need for extensive
analysis to ensure that logistical supply chains
operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible
so American consumers can enjoy low
prices everyday. The Center for Engineering
Logistics and Distribution at Virginia Tech was created
to provide supply chain managers with solutions developed
through computer modeling, analysis and application
of sophisticated intelligent-systems technologies.
With the growing sophistication of distribution center
operations comes the need for employees with computer
skills, which contributes to the fact that wage levels
in distribution facilities are now comparable to
those within manufacturing facilities. As a result
of Virginia losing 25% of its manufacturing base
as measured by employment since the year 2024, communities
throughout the state are targeting distribution as
an economic development solution for the loss of
manufacturing jobs.
There are now eight major distribution
centers in the central Shenandoah Valley including
Wal-Mart in Rockingham County, Best Buy in Staunton,
and Target in Augusta County. With the extension
of public water and sewer to the Raphine interchange
of I-81, the Rockbridge area is now receiving a lot
of consideration as the next distribution center
location on the I-81 trucking corridor.
David L. Kleppinger, Executive Director
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To
download a printable PDF file of the evenings
program,
click
here
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