RLS Logistics offers comprehensive facilities for temperature-controlled products in its six national 3PL warehouses, many of which are near Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia’s history as a logistics hub dates back to the 17th century, when it served as a key port city for the colonies. Its strategic location along the Delaware River made it an ideal spot for importing and exporting goods. Over the centuries, the city’s infrastructure has steadily evolved, matching pace with the growth of the nation’s transportation networks. Modern Philadelphia is home to one of the largest and busiest ports in the United States, PhilaPort. The city’s well-developed rail and road networks further strengthen its position as a leading logistics hub. Today, with its robust logistics infrastructure, Philadelphia continues to be a crucial link in the national and global supply chain, making it a prime location for food manufacturers to store and ship their products.
Finding the right market can make all the difference when it comes to shipping and storing food. If you’re a food manufacturer, Philadelphia is worth considering. Not only is it home to a strong logistics network, but it also offers plenty of options for cold storage and distribution. In this blog, we’ll explore three top reasons Greater Philadelphia is the ultimate market for food manufacturers.
Philadelphia’s Strategic Location Advantages for Food Manufacturers Seeking Premier Cold Storage Warehouses
Philadelphia’s location is ideal for food manufacturers who need to ship their products to major cities up and down the East Coast or even to the Midwest. It’s situated within a day’s drive of a quarter of the US population and within 300 miles of major cities such as New York, Boston, Washington DC, and Baltimore. This makes it a prime spot for both interstate and international shipping. Additionally, the Port of Philadelphia is the largest freshwater port in the world, and cargo ships can easily navigate up the Delaware River to reach the port. All of this makes Philadelphia a logistical hub for food manufacturers.
Vast Cold Storage Warehouse Network Makes Philadelphia a Prime Market for Food Manufacturers
Another reason Philadelphia is an excellent market for food manufacturers is the ample cold storage options. There are several 3PL cold storage facilities and warehouses in the area that specialize in food storage, including Pittston PA, Delanco NJ, Vineland, NJ, and our newly expanded cold storage warehouse facility in Newfield, NJ. These facilities offer temperature-controlled storage solutions for frozen, refrigerated, and dry goods and can accommodate food products of all types. Additionally, many of these facilities are located close to major highways and the port, making transporting goods in and out of storage simple and effective.
The Port of Philadelphia is an Optimal Hub for Efficient Distribution
The ports on the East Coast have experienced increased cargo volumes in recent years due to several factors. The expansion of the Panama Canal has provided access to the East Coast ports for larger vessels, significantly increasing volume for all East Coast ports. The Port of Philadelphia has seen growth as a result. Labor stability at the Port of Philadelphia has also attracted more imports to its operation. The overall population size and growth have also benefited East Coast ports. In addition to steel, metal, and automobiles, the Port of Philadelphia handles plenty of food and beverage commodities, with stone fruit from South America and lamb and veal from Australia as leading food imports. The infrastructure to support these items around the port is robust. There are several sizeable cold storage companies in the area and many smaller family operated providers as well. Debarking at the Port of Philadelphia offers importers proximity to the East Coast major metropolitan areas, making the Port of Philadelphia an ideal location for distribution.
Philadelphia emerges as one of our top hot cities for food manufacturers seeking strategic advantages in distribution and cold storage. Its central geographic position enables efficient shipping to major cities along the East Coast and the Midwest, catering to a substantial portion of the U.S. population within a day’s drive. The Port of Philadelphia is pivotal, welcoming increased cargo volumes. The region’s vast cold storage network, including specialized facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, further complements the city’s status as a hub for food storage. The combination of geographical advantages, a thriving cold storage network, and a strategically positioned port positions Philadelphia as a prime destination for food manufacturing and distribution businesses.
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/.
