National Retail Systems Inc., a provider of logistics services to America’s retailers, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Feb. 7, to commemorate the official opening of its new crossdock facility in Pooler, Ga., three miles from the Port of Savannah.
NRS says the new distribution facility is designed for high-speed high-volume transload. The 176-door crossdock and special-project warehouse — which stretches almost a quarter of a mile long on 52 acres — will be capable of processing several hundred thousand containers per year and will create about 200 jobs for the Savannah economy, NRS says.
“As the fastest-growing port in the United States, Savannah continues to drive economic growth in Georgia,” says Doug J. Marchand, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority. “The fact that NRS chose this location is further demonstration of Savannah’s strategic position in the import logistics plans of U.S. retailers.” Savannah handled a record 2.6 million TEUs in 2007, according to GPA.
“As we look at the logistics challenges confronting the nation, one thing is clear — having access to distribution infrastructure will be critical for retailers,” says Raymond Wisniewski, president and chief operating officer of NRS. “That’s why we embarked on our Gateway Ports Strategy in 2006 to ensure we have facilities near key gateways that can speed freight to stores. There is no doubt that Savannah is a key gateway, and the importance of Savannah will only increase as the Panama Canal is widened next decade.”
NRS says it will perform a full array of retail logistics services at the Pooler facility, including pier drayage, container transload, distribution center bypass, store delivery, nationwide truckload and special-project retail services, such as ticketing, marking and labeling. The new facility will have the same cutting-edge security features and information technology systems covering yard management and import visibility that are installed across the entire NRS network, according to the company.
“The benefits are clear,” Wisniewski says. “Having distribution facilities near the major gateways is more efficient, more environmentally sensitive and better for truck drivers.”
