Target Industry Development

Distribution and Logistics

The distribution and logistics industry is composed of three primary business categories: proprietary and third-party distribution and transload centers; transportation providers (carriers); and third-party providers).

• Distribution & Logistics Fact Sheet

The City of Portland's Freight Master Plan provides a road map for managing freight movement and commercial delivery of goods and services in the Portland metro area, today and into the future. The goal is to foster a freight system that works for the community.

The Plan's objectives center around three main themes:

• Mobility—To ensure Portland's transportation system can meet increased freight and goods movement demand; and, understand where we need to invest in system improvements for all modes of freight.
• Livability—To develop strategies for reducing community impacts from freight movement; and, to look for ways to balance truck movement needs with those of other transportation modes.
• Healthy Economy—To recognize the role of goods delivery in supporting healthy, vibrant industrial districts, mixed use centers, and main streets; and, to use strategic investments in freight transportation to benefit existing businesses and attract new ones.

The final plan was prepared by the Portland Department of Transportation (PDOT) in September 2005 as a recommendation to the Planning Commission (PDF file, 90 pps., 3,496 kb)

PDC Supports the Distribution and Logistics Industry

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) is committed to helping business and industry create jobs and investment that provide a full range of employment opportunities and economic benefits to all residents of the Portland metropolitan area. A healthy business climate is central to our mission. We strongly support retention, expansion and recruitment efforts in the distribution and logistics industry, a key component in the overall health and economic vitality of the region.

Portland's Business Cost Advantages

Portland has less congestion, lower taxes and lower workers compensation rates than our West Coast competitors, as well as attractive backhaul rates and incentives. Additionally, Portland has industrial properties with close proximity to water, rail, air and highway.

Water — The Port of Portland is one of six major ports of entry on the U.S. West Coast and ranks as:

• 2nd largest grain export area in the world
• 2nd largest wheat export port in the U.S.
• 3rd largest tonnage port on the West Coast

Highway — Portland is a well-established domestic distribution hub, handling more regional and national-bound cargo than the Puget Sound area, and with less congestion.

Rail — Portland is a major rail hub, served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad. Portland has more weekly domestic intermodal train departures to the east than the Puget Sound ports.

Air — The Port of Portland owns and operates Portland International Airport (PDX), ranked 26th nationally for air cargo and 34th for passenger volume. PDX offers service from all major national integrated carriers and 12 passenger carriers, a solid foundation for Portland's global relations with Pacific Rim trading partners. A number of firms have made the decision to locate in or serve Portland for distribution and logistics, including:

Air China Cargo	Hyundai
Columbia Sportswear	Nike
Expeditors	Toyota
FedEx	Yellow Corporation
Honda

A Closer Look

Columbia Sportswear

• Sportswear and apparel distribution
• 800,000 sf warehouse
• 68 loading bays
• Up to 500 employees (seasonal)

Dollar Tree

• 665,000 sf warehouse
• 90,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) moving through the Port in the next six years
• 20 employees plus seasonal hires

Air Cargo Service

• 26th in the nation in cargo volume (2001)
  • Air China—twice per week to Beijing, Shanghai, Cargolux, once a week to Luxembourg
  • Cargolux—once a week to Luxembourg
  • Korean Airlines—three times per week to Seoul
  • Lufthansa—daily to Frankfurt for lower-deck freight

Toyota

• 40,000 import units processed per year
• 24,000 domestically produced units distributed throughout the region
• With the Port, investing $35-$50 million to rebuild facility at Terminal 4 to accommodate 15-year projections for auto imports 

PDC Business Team Contact

Randy Evans at 503-823-0119 or by e-mail

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