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Columbus, Ohio – Forward Air Corporation, a leading asset-light freight and logistics company, has announced plans to expand its facility in Groveport, Ohio, investing $31.8 million and creating 50 jobs. Hiring for management and hourly positions will begin once the expansion project is complete.
Forward plans to retain and utilize its existing facility at 6800 Port Road in Groveport – near Rickenbacker International Airport – while also acquiring a property at 6700 Port Road. The company is investing approximately $10 million toward the acquisition of the adjacent property and approximately $22 million into the redevelopment of the industrial facility into a unique 120,000-square-foot office space that will bring 50 new full-time jobs to the Groveport campus.
“The Groveport terminal is our largest national hub, and this redevelopment project allows us to increase capacity and centralize operations,” said Forward President, Chairman and CEO Tom Schmitt. “The ongoing support we have received from JobsOhio and the state of Ohio has accelerated our expansion in the area. We are excited to grow our local workforce once the new campus is complete.”
Based in Greeneville, Tennessee, Forward provides LTL, final mile, truckload, intermodal drayage and pool distribution services across North America. With 90 facilities located near major market airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 freight centers, the company has a large real estate portfolio. Since its founding in 1990, Forward has grown significantly through strategic acquisitions in various markets and has started to centralize HQ-type functions in the Columbus market.
“Since building its facility here more than two decades ago, Forward has been an integral part of Groveport’s robust logistics sector,” said Groveport Development Director Jeff Green. “The company’s strategic growth further solidifies the Columbus Region as a major player in supply chains across North America, and we look forward to working with the Forward team as they continue to bolster their workforce and operations here.”
With greater access to the U.S. market than any other major metro, the Columbus Region is a strategic location for the movement of goods. More than 4,400 logistics establishments employing over 83,000 employees thrive on Columbus’ ultra-modern interstate highway system, including third-party logistics companies and multiple rail terminals. Groveport is located in Franklin County, which is home to an estimated 1,310,300 residents.
“Along with our partners at the Development Services Agency, we welcome Forward Air Corporation’s continued growth in Ohio,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Forward’s investment is more evidence that Ohio is an ideal location to establish and secure supply chains, demonstrating Ohio is ready to lead in our nation’s economic recovery and long-term growth.”
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About Forward Air Corporation
Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ: FWRD) is a leading asset-light freight and logistics company. The company provides LTL, final mile, truckload, intermodal drayage and pool distribution services across the United States and in Canada. Headquartered in Greeneville, Tennessee, Forward operates 93 terminals across the country and employs more than 5,200 people nationwide. It is more than a transportation company. As a single resource for your shipping needs, Forward is your supply chain partner. For more information, visit our website at www.forwardaircorp.com.
This press release may contain statements that might be considered as forward-looking statements or predictions of future operations including with respect to the expected growth and future expansion of the Company’s network and footprint. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management’s belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties including that the expansion of the Company’s national hub is delayed or never occurs and that the Company is not able to achieve the anticipated benefits of the increased capacity in its national hub. Actual events may also differ from these expectations as a result of the risks identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider the forward-looking statement contained herein in light of such risks. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
About One Columbus As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future, and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
One Columbus Media Contact
Amy Harman
614-225-6070
ah@columbusregion.com
Forward Air Media Contact
Justin Moss
404-362-2472
jmoss@forwardair.com