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South Carolina Study on Logistics Industry Finds $32.9 Billion Impact

[ December 8, 2017   //   ]

The logistics industry cluster is one of the largest in South Carolina according to a study released by the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. Authored by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, the study finds that there are more than 600 logistics companies operating in the state, from transportation, to air freight providers, to warehouse and distribution centers.

“The logistics industry moves raw materials and final products from one company to another company, or to a consumer, via ground, sea or air transportation,” said Suzanne Dickerson, director of logistics industry initiatives for the Council. “Logistics is one of the most important industries in our state, because every company relies on it to conduct business.”

“What we found is that many companies have logistics and supply chain management departments within their operations,” said Von Nessen. “Seen collectively, there are over 113,000 South Carolinians working in the logistics industry cluster. The compensation provided by the logistics industry to its employees totals $5.4 billion annually.”

S.C. Commerce Secretary, Bobby Hitt, knows that businesses locate to
areas where they are able to be successful and thrive. “Our strategic emphasis on logistics has been key to the success we’ve had, especially in attracting advanced manufacturing to South Carolina,” he said. “It’s not enough to be good at making
things. You have to be good at moving things, and that is what our logistics industry is all about.”

The strength of South Carolina’s logistics industry is shown in part by export sales. For the seventh consecutive year, South Carolina posted a record for total export sales of $31.3 billion—a $400 million increase over last year. South Carolina’s top export commodities were vehicles, aircraft, machinery, rubber and electrical machinery. And, the state’s top export markets were China, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom and Mexico.

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