Averitt Express takes steps to expand Charleston, S.C.-area facility

Cookeville, Tenn.-based freight transportation and logistics services provider Averitt Express said this week it has taken steps to expand its Charleston, S.C.-area facility.

Company officials said that Averitt will add 35,000 square feet of warehousing space and on-site parking and fuel tanks, at this facility, adding that this expansion allows Averitt to meet increased demand and support the growing volume of cargo in and out of the Port of Charleston. The facility is located at 7749 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston.

“We are excited to grow our presence in one of the nation’s most strategic logistics hubs, “said Barry Blakely, Averitt’s President and Chief Operating Officer, in a statement. “From supporting the local shipping needs of our customers in Charleston County to the global supply chain needs of those across the country and around the world, our team is dedicated to ensuring that our customers and local communities succeed and grow.”

In an interview with LM, Blakely said a major drive for Averitt to expand this facility pertains to the company having continuously experienced a growing demand for additional cargo capacity and port logistics solutions by its customers that ship through Charleston. And he added that the plan to expand its presence in this critical transportation hub has been in development for many months.

As for the benefits this facility provides for Averitt’s shipper customers, Blakely said that Averitt’s facility and footprint in Charleston are specifically designed to help shippers streamline their international supply chains. What’s more, he also noted that the expansion has increased Averitt’s enclosed distribution and fulfillment space to 80,000 square-feet.

“This bonded distribution center is served by our asset-based fleet of chassis that allow us to quickly move containers to and from the port,” he said. “At our facility, we can then process, transload, store, and distribute inbound and outbound cargo throughout the North America via our LTL (less-than-truckload) and truckload distribution networks. This is all in addition to supporting the traditional LTL and full load delivery needs in the region.”

When asked about the main competitive benefits, or advantages, of this expansion, from an Averitt perspective, Blakely said that the biggest benefit to shippers is that Averitt can help them simplify their supply chain needs at every turn with the bonus of using its own assets.

“We can provide seamless service between different links in the supply chain that would typically involve multiple hands or service providers,” he said. “We are taking the complexity out of the equation so that our customers can focus on growing their business rather than worrying about it.”