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‘Thousands of jobs’ from multinational logistics

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas could create “hundreds, potentially thousands” of new jobs if it promotes itself as a logistics/distribution hub to major US multinationals, a Nassau-based specialist in the field saying this nation could become “as wealthy as the ancient empires” that sat astride major trading routes.

Henry Johns, vice-president of New Level Logistics, a supply chain management firm, told Tribune Business, though, that the Government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) had to start promotional efforts “now” to entice such companies to the Bahamas.

He explained that the Panama Canal expansion, and projected increase in shipping and tanker traffic, had given the Bahamas a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to entice US multinationals to establish warehouse/distribution facilities in Freeport.

The attraction for these multinationals, Mr Johns told Tribune Business, was that by establishing a Freeport logistics base they could access immense savings by potentially closing down multiple US distribution facilities.

Recalling his time as a national account executive for US-based logistics and supply chain managers,Mr Johns said many West Coast multinationals were required to set up mega warehouse facilities in the mid-west and US east coast to serve customers in those locations.

With the Panama Canal expansion, product could now be brought into, and stored, in Freeport prior to entering the US. The city’s strategic location meant these goods could be brought directly into US east coast and mid-west markets, enabling multinational corporations to slash costs by eliminating warehouse operations in these areas.

And Mr Johns said Freeport’s status as a ‘free trade zone’, and its existing infrastructure, especially the Freeport Container Port (FCP) and deep water harbour, represented further potential attractions for the largest US corporations.

These companies could also use Freeport as their distribution centre for the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean, he told Tribune Business, but a sustained marketing effort - similar to that enjoyed by the tourism industry - had to begin immediately if the Bahamas was to be successful.

The Panama Canal expansion is slated to be completed by 2014-2015, and other Caribbean nations have already been readying themselves for the potential economic benefits, Jamaica moving, for example, to expand Kingston’s port.

Bahamian companies, too, have not been idle, with the Bahamas Oil Refining Company’s (BORCO) owner describing the facility as “the ideal location” to serve the expected 20-30 per cent increase in tanker traffic sparked by the Panama Canal expansion.

“I think this is an opportunity to reach out to those US multinational corporations I used to call on in California and Nevada,” Mr Johns told Tribune Business.

“If they know what I know now, they’d be very much attracted to setting up warehouse and transhipment facilities here.

“The impact of that is, if you can tell those companies to put a warehouse in Grand Bahama because it will eliminate their mid-west and east coast warehouses, they will immediately see the effect on their bottom line.

“Essentially, Grand Bahama becomes the new transhipment hub that serves markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. But we have to start making that promotion happen now.”

Mr Johns added: “We have to start promoting the incentive for these companies to look at Grand Bahama, and really solving their logistics problems. It just needs someone to start promoting it. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and the time to start is now.

“Marketing to these people is what the country needs to do, and the Port Authority, needs to do. They will never have heard any promotion from the Bahamas, it being so close to the US, having a deepwater port and a free trade zone.... The Port Authority is the best-suited entity to sell their airport, business parks and other facilities.”

Freeport has long been viewed as having the perfect ingredients to become a logistics/transhipment/distribution hub for the Western Hemisphere, but has yet to make good on this promise. As Mr Johns pointed out, its 400-acre Sea Air Business Park is relatively empty still.

Pointing out that international companies in Mexico were also assessing their relocation options, given the increasing crime and drug-related violence, Mr Johns said establishing the Bahamas and Freeport as a distribution hub would tick both the Government’s job creation and economic diversification boxes.

“You’re looking at hundreds, potentially thousands of jobs,” he told Tribune Business.

“The Bahamas is strategically in a position where, with the flow of trade coming through, it could be like an ancient empire that becomes very wealthy because it sits in the middle of a major trade lane.”

But, apart from a “long-term focused marketing approach”, Mr Johns said the Government and GBPA also needed to provide “turnkey services” that smoothed the relocation process for multinationals willing to relocate distribution to Freeport. Economic incentives were also critical, as was giving target companies time to plan any move to the Bahamas.

Noting that it would also allow New Providence and Family Island businesses to establish warehouses in Freeport, and bring in good duty-free until they were needed, Mr Johns emphasised: “Get the word out that the Bahamas has an open door mat.

“That has to happen consistently, and has to be continuous. It can’t be a five-year investment; it has to be similar to tourism. It has to be a perennial investment in bringing business opportunities to this country.”

He added that the direct and indirect employment created, plus spin-off businesses and economic activity, would be enormous if the Bahamas got it right.

Comments

proudloudandfnm 12 years, 3 months ago

I don't understand this idea at all.... As it is now cargo for larger companies like Sears and Walmart have thier cargo sent to inland distribution centers to be consolidated and trucked to the individual stores. How can a Bahamian based warehosue truck to a Sears in Wyoming? This idea, in my opinion would actually mean adding a new dimension to big corporations logistics. We would have to ship the cargo into Florida or Atlanta to be trucked to their stores adding more costs to the end line. I don't think is such a good idea Mr. Johns....

As it is now, vendors ship, say as an example. 12,000 dozen pairs of shoes to a distributtion center. Now not all the 12,000 dozen are destined for one store. So they go to a distribution center to be seperated and consolidated with more cargo from other vendors then sent to the final destination.

With your idea the cargo would come to Freeport? Then what? Consolidate for one store and send out a container to Florida or Atlanta to be trucked to the store? Why? No sir I don't think this a good idea at all.

Now a good idea for Freeport is the showcase for international vendors to get their goods shown to the US and S. American markets. That's a good idea. Bonded storage is also a good idea. but a distribution center?

But I am sorry Mr. Johns I do not see this idea of a chain supply center offshore as a good one. I think in the end your idea would only add to the final costs and therefore be a nonstarter.

hjohns 12 years, 3 months ago

Dear Sir or Madam, Unfortunately, my reply was not posted when I originally submitted my reply on Saturday. Sorry, I thought it was going to be published but realized that I did not push the post button. Let me answer this in the simplest fashion possible. First of all, you approach a logistics problem purely from a 'linear' perspective in your scenario regarding the Sears store in Wyoming, and that doesn't always 'solve' or provide the best solution for a transportation-logistics 'routing' challenge. Asymmetrical thinking in many cases, is how you solve logistic problems based on varying conditions, cost and asset planning. 'Logistics', is a term we, in the transportation industry, borrow from the military. Why? Because changing 'battlefield, front-like conditions always come into play. Take for instant the opening of the Panama Canal, this will be a 'game changing' variable, especially if your a multinational, US corporation. Supply Chain management decisions when applied to 'military applications' are based on 'battlefield' front, changing conditions. Commanders in the field, need food, water, fuel, medical supplies, and ammunition, just to name a few, when an invasion force advance or retreats, 24/7. And, logistics as applied to transportation and consumer demand has the same figurative consequences of the battlefield. Think about it. A 'consumer' or 'industrial', supply chain must not be broken, and if you do, you'll lose the 'campaign', either way, it'll be costly. You said that, "in my opinion, (this), my adage, would actually mean adding a new dimension to big corporations. The answer to that question is "No", it will not be a 'new' dimension for these logistics planners. These kinds of changing decisions are made all the time by logistics planners. You assume that the article I contributed to of having a 'trans-ship' facilities in Grand Bahama doesn't make any sense. Again, you are not thinking 'asymmetrically'. The variables are in 'flux' requiring a different response, that I've alluded, the Panama Canal being a new conditional change. It may very well be a decision by the ' logistics planners" to have the western warehouse, not the Midwest warehouse, to make the final delivery. The volume in the state of Wyoming may not be 'cost efficient', if served by the Midwest warehouse. A neighboring store location, served by the western area warehouse, might be better location utilizing a 'split delivery', off that trailer, saving money and effectively meeting delivery JIT requirements.

Copy & paste this link in your browser or 'click on this link to see how the Panama Canal is a game changer to multinational, logistics planners: http://www.newsmax.com/SciTech/panama-c…

Henry Johns New Level Logistics Co. Ltd. Email: hjohns@newlevellogistics.org Web: www.newlevellogistics.org Office: 242-676-4356 -Office

hjohns 12 years, 3 months ago

Besides, job opportunities in Grand Bahamas, (NLL) has another mission when it comes to assisting Bahamian entrepreneurs.

New Level Logistics Co. Ltd. (NLL) objective is to also teach Bahamian importers, purchasers, contractors, gov't., businesses and consumers of the buying process pitfalls: The 'hidden cost of logistics' in the final purchasing process.

We recommend that you:

1.) Change your 'terms of purchase' with your U.S., Canadian & Int'l 'suppliers' from (FOB, CIF CFR) to EX-Works (EXW). Why? Because, by not doing so, you would be indirectly and unbeknownst to you, saying to your 'supplier' to 'ADD,' HIGHER, delivery cost to your 'freight forwarder'. 'EX-Works' tells your 'suppliers' to ONLY quote you the 'PRICE' of goods at their 'shipping dock', and NOT delivered. This avoids the higher margin, 'cost' game. (FOB) freight terms with your 'supplier' is like telling 'unscrupulous' vendors to invoke an insidious, industry, age old, practice, known as, 'Pre- Pay & Add', to the price of your goods. Don't give up control and allow your supplier to ship your goods. Buyers (you) should tell your 'suppliers' that you have your 'own' transportation carrier' instead. (NLL), has 'best in class' rates, without you needing a U.S. transportation account. Email: cs@newlevelellogistics.org for a quote and analysis.

And, lastly:

2.) Route your freight through Atlanta, GA. not the state of Florida. ( i.e. Miami, Florida) Why? Because the entire state of Florida has been a perennial, misnomer of belief among Bahamian importers that 'convenience and cost' should be the lowest, in the southern most US export city to them in proximity. Due to that belief, a freight forwarding', 'retail, & distribution' empire in Florida, especially, South Florida, has arisen due to this 'demand driven', misconception. Industry transportation experts have always known that 'ground freight' and low cost, multi-mode transportation services, is by far, lower in ATLANTA, GA. as compared to (MIA) FLA. Pricing is otherwise considered 'radioactive' for such services as compared to the ATLANTA, GA. gateway for consolidation. Freight consolidation and ocean shipping through the port of Savannah & Jacksonville, Fla. is less costlier.

Henry Johns New Level Logistics Co. Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas hjohns@newlevellogistics.org 242-676-4314- Office

isabella 8 years, 6 months ago

There is no denying the fact that with proper promotion they would be able to attract many job opportunities here including http://leasetolandstar.com/available-lo…">expedited shipping jobs. But they also have to make sure that the people are properly trained to handle such jobs.

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