Automotive lift producer BendPak has opened a new distribution centre near APM Terminals Mobile to serve US Gulf, Midwest, East coast and Canadian markets via five Class I railroads.
California-based BendPak has opened a new 100,000-square-foot (30,480-square-metres) distribution centre in Theodore, Alabama which is 11 miles from the APM Terminals Mobile container terminal. The new administrative and shipping complex has easy access to three major interstates and five Class I railroads helping BendPak to deliver products same-day or next-day to more customers in the eastern half of the country.
BendPak, which manufactures and sells automotive lifts used in car dealerships and parking garages, has joined such major companies as Walmart, Amazon, Kia, Airbus, Bombardier and Mercedes Benz in selecting the port of Mobile and the state of Alabama as a hub for global logistics supply and distribution as well as manufacturing.
“This new facility brings our products geographically closer to our customers and that makes a huge difference,” said Don Henthorn, BendPak president and founder.
The new warehouse will stock all of BendPak’s popular products including its Ranger, QuickJack and Autostacker brands. A future training facility will include a classroom and fully appointed service bay to offer customers a convenient option for quality technical training on BendPak’s expanding product lines.
The new distribution centre is located in Mobile County, Alabama, allowing for access to I-65, I-10, I-165, and Highway 43. Located in the heart of one of America’s largest logistic hotspots, the new fulfillment operation will offer next-day or two-day delivery to a large share of BendPak’s customer base on the eastern half of the US, according to a statement.
BendPak’s California headquarters and distribution multiplex in Santa Paula will continue offering shipping and order fulfilment services to approximately 15 western states. BendPak plans to continue its expansion efforts in order to improve geographic shipping advantages.
APM Terminals Mobile handled 419,000TEU in 2019 and recently expanded the Inland Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) for rail cargo as well as expanded the berth in 2020 to accommodate two or more ships at the same time. “We’re in the middle of the country, enabling companies to reach four major population centers in one day: the US Gulf, the US East Coast, the US Midwest and Canada,” stated Brian Harold, managing director of APM Terminals Mobile, Alabama.
Transit times between Asia and US inlands are comparable via Mobile routing for those customers looking to add to their gateway supply chain options, according to APM Terminals.
APMT Mobile working in partnership with the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) opened in 2008. “The tremendous growth we have been experiencing here is the result of our strong partnership with the ASPA and Jimmy Lyons’ vision to grow the port as an economic engine,” observed Harold.
The ASPA will be deepening the Mobile harbour to 50’ starting in 2021 to accommodate the largest vessels in the global fleet and ensure future logistics competitiveness for the port.
A new refrigerated warehouse is also being added to enhance the port’s distribution center attractiveness. MTC Refrigerated Warehouse will open in January 2021 to serve international supply chains.
