Primarily recognized for its country music and outstanding food, Nashville has quickly become a top trending vacation spot in the United States. It’s also emerging as a prime destination for businesses, particularly in the logistics and transportation industry. With its strategic location, opportunities for growth in the freight industry, and focus on technological advancements, Nashville offers numerous advantages for food manufacturers looking to distribute their products efficiently.
Strategic Location
Nashville boasts a strategic geographic location that serves as a pivotal transportation hub. Within a day’s drive of 75% of the U.S. population, the city provides access to major markets nationwide. This positioning significantly reduces transit times and transportation costs, making it an attractive choice for food manufacturers.
Moreover, Nashville is located in the heart of Freight Alley, which serves as a vital transportation corridor in the Southeastern United States with proximity to three interstate highways and connectivity with major shipping routes, including the Appalachian Regional Port. Also, there is no shortage of transportation and logistics professionals in the Nashville metropolitan area.
A fact to know: In 2022, Tennessee’s freight system moved 552 million tons of freight, valued at $813 billion – the 11th largest value of freight moved of all states.
Industry Growth
In addition to its premier location, Nashville’s thriving economy translates to increased demand for goods and services. This has contributed to its consistent growth in the freight industry throughout the past few years.
Nashville’s growing reputation as a commercial and distribution center has further fueled its expansion in the freight industry. With businesses opening distribution centers in the area, the need for efficient and reliable transportation services has never been higher.
A fact to know: According to a report from the National Transportation Research Group, freight moved annually in Tennessee is expected to increase by 59% by 2050.
Technological Advancements
Nashville is also witnessing innovation in the transportation sector, with the emergence of technology driven solutions such as freight management software, API, predictive analytics, and real time automation. With numerous logistics companies flocking to this thriving sector, food manufacturers have difficult decisions to make on what provider to utilize.
At RLS Logistics, we understand the importance of managing supply chains by utilizing cutting-edge technology, including real time rating, and TMS integrations. Our customer platform, anello offers one of the industry’s most adaptable and robust data driven platforms, providing real time results and complete visibility to your supply chain.
A fact to know: When asked to rank what is most important in a 3PL operation, shippers chose integration of API with their current technology tools as number 2 behind better service offerings.
Nashville’s rise as a transportation powerhouse is reshaping the game for food manufacturers, offering a winning combination of strategic advantages, industry growth, and technological innovation. As a transportation hub strategically located within reach of major markets, Nashville provides endless opportunities for food manufacturers to find success.
ABOUT RLS LOGISTICS: Headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, RLS Logistics is a family-owned, third-party logistics provider specializing in value-added cold chain solutions, including LTL and FTL transportation, cold storage warehousing, and direct-to-consumer fulfillment. Founded in 1968, the company has been owned and managed by the Leo family for over 50 years and has grown into a leading integrated cold chain 3PL. For more information, visit https://www.rlslogistics.com/.
