December 6, 2013

Mayor Emanuel and World Business Chicago Announce New Organization to Foster Growth in Transportation Distribution and Logistics

New Organization Will Bring Industry and Government Together to Stimulate Chicago’s Competitive Advantage in Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Emanuel and World Business Chicago today announced the launch of Supply-chain Innovation Network of Chicago (SINC), a new organization focusing on increasing the City’s competitive advantage in supply chain, transportation, and logistics. Guided by regional industry leaders, and coordinated by World Business Chicago (WBC), SINC aims to further cultivate the City of Chicago’s place as a national Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL) hub and help stimulate economic and business growth.

Mayor Emanuel made the announcement at the groundbreaking for the U.S.’s largest DHL Global Forwarding building at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.


“SINC will assemble business luminaries from across the Chicago area to join in re-imagining and revolutionizing the City’s ongoing mission to meet the demand of the high-growth sectors of the future,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “The group’s goal is to symbolize a cohesive voice for Chicago’s supply chain, and advance our region’s rank as a domestic hub for transportation and logistics.”

SINC will focus on public policy, innovation, talent attraction, and collaboration to elevate Chicago's competitive advantage across the supply chain.  For example, the group will assess the success of a program shifting truck deliveries to nighttime hours in New York City to limit traffic congestion. The program could add an estimated $100-$200 million to New York City in time, environmental and efficiency savings.  SINC will look at the potential of replicating this program in Chicago, as well as pursuing additional initiatives to foster innovation in transportation and logistics. Earlier this year members initially interested in participating in SINC hosted a Logistics Hackathon to generate tools to impact the transportation and logistics landscape and ease area congestion.

SINC is a direct result of the city’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, a roadmap for the region’s growth and job creation called for by Mayor Emanuel and currently being implemented by WBC. The City’s continual growth as a leading transportation and logistics hub is a key Plan strategy.


“SINC provides a unique opportunity for our region’s supply chain leaders to have a direct impact on growing the Chicago-area economy,” said WBC President & CEO Jeff Malehorn. “By connecting transportation and logistics leadership and recognizing the region’s tremendous advantages and opportunities, we are advancing the City’s efforts to drive growth in this important industry.”


SINC’s board consists of leadership from several of Chicago’s supply chain leaders:

Paul Fisher, CenterPoint Properties

Jim Blackmon, Carry Transit

Ann Drake, DSC Logistics

Robert Nathan, Load Delivered Logistics

Doug Waggoner, Echo Global Logistics

Tim Hogan, National Material Trading

Valeria Bailey, Rand McNally

Paul Nowicki, BNSF Railway

Steve LaVoie, ArrowStream

"The Chicago region became an economic powerhouse because of our preeminence as a transportation hub. It's time for us to recognize that we can't lean on this history.” said Paul Fisher of CenterPoint Properties, who was elected board chair of SINC. “Whether we are left behind or successfully compete with other cities depends on a commitment to enhance our region's ability to move goods efficiently, a central focus of companies when choosing a manufacturing or distribution location.  SINC will be a powerful voice of industry to restore our infrastructure to the best in the world and to do all we can to support the growth of businesses serving freight movement.”

Chicago’s transportation and logistics industry accounts for $14 billion in GRP, with a projected growth rate of 3.4 percent. Chicago is the only city in the nation where six of the major North American railroads intersect. Estimates suggest that between a quarter and a third of all freight tonnage in the U.S. originates, terminates or passes through the region.

The Emanuel Administration has previously announced reforms to support the City’s expansive Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL) sector.  In February 2012, Mayor Emanuel along with Gov. Quinn announced the construction of a TDL center at Olive-Harvey College. The facility will be the first comprehensive TDL education center in the state, preparing students for in-demand careers in ground, air, and rail transport, multi-modal distribution and logistics as part of City Colleges’ College to Careers initiative.

For more information on SINC, visit supplychainchicago.com.

 

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