Logistics

The Carolina Core’s location and infrastructure make the region a top market for logistics and distribution. Here, the two largest global courier and delivery service providers operate hubs alongside a host of third-party logistics providers and warehousing and distribution operations for major brands.

FedEx Express Mid-Atlantic Air Hub at the Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) employs more than 800 people and is complemented by a $110 million ground hub to provide flexibility in shipping needs. Meanwhile, UPS continues to invest in the Carolina Core with the 2020 expansion of its Greensboro hub that will add 141 positions and the creation of a package sorting hub in neighboring Alamance County that will employ 451 people.

Leading brands including Ralph Lauren, Gildan and Liberty Hardware count on the Carolina Core to warehouse and move their goods. Winston-Salem-based Hanesbrands operates two packaging and distribution facilities in the Carolina Core, including a 425,000-square-foot facility at Whitaker Park.

The logistics industry in the Carolina Core is also ushering in new wave technological advancements. UPS Flight Forward and iQ Healthtech Labs have collaboratively launched commercial drone delivery service at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem. The first of its kind model provides rapid delivery for time- and temperature-sensitive medical supplies.

Training Talent from Floor to Corner Office

Supply Chain Management programs are available at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Forsyth Tech and GTCC, the latter of which has a 5,000-square-foot warehouse to train workers on logistics and distribution occupations from scanning and barcoding items to packing pallets and loading trailers.

Graduate-level supply chain talent in the Carolina Core is cultivated at North Carolina A&T State University’s College of Business and Economics and UNC Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business and Economics.

Available Sites and FTZ

The Carolina Core can deliver on a host of real estate needs, with buildings and sites of all sizes for manufacturers, logistics providers and other warehousing and industrial uses available across the area. Furthermore, Foreign Trade Zone #230 in the Carolina Core provides duty deferral or elimination for goods imported into an activated zone.

Largest Distribution Centers and Warehouses

(Total square footage)

• Former Sears/Loomcraft Textiles Distribution Center (1.75 million)
• NFI Industries (1.60 million)
• Harris Teeter LLC (1.48 million)
• Lewis Logistics (1.30 million)
• 1031 E. Mountain St. (1.20 million)
• Fastenal (1.20 million)
• Gildan Activewear Inc. (1.19 million)
• Piedmont Triad Industrial Center (1.01 million)
• Hanesbrands Inc. (930,451)
• Lidl Distribution Center (900,000)
• Ralph Lauren (843,000)
• Ralph Lauren (800,000)
• The South Atlantic Cos. (750,000)
• Liberty Hardware (680,000)
• Hanesbrands Inc. (598,000)

Notable Employers