INDUSTRY PROFILE TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS INDUSTRY COVID-19 Impact – Tough Decisions, New Opportunities
5916 East Lake Pkwy., Suite 170 McDonough, GA 770-580-5693
During COVID-19, those who are not in the transportation industry have learned more about supply chain and logistics than they probably cared to know. With wall-to-wall headlines about diverted shipments and shortages of all manner of requisite equipment and gear for front-line workers and health care professionals, the importance of the transportation industry to the equilibrium of our lives and lifestyles is now cast into stark focus. In the last decade, Henry County has become one of the key supply chain and logistics hubs in the Southeastern USA. The Chamber reached out to three members in the transportation and logistics industry all based in Henry County to ask how COVID-19 has impacted their business. Coincidentally, all three firms are woman owned.
Mitsubishi-Hitachi Power Systems, etc. We move anything that has to do with generating power.
What were your top three growth priorities prior to COVID-19? “Increase business with local parties, increase driver retention rates, educate locals on transportation, add other transportation entities and also create a transportation think tank in McDonough.” – Shatequa Hamilton, Translane
David Carpenter Vice President, Customer Solutions
“Aerospace - For example, we move a lot of components for the F-35 Fighter Jets and C-130 Cargo planes for Lockheed Martin. We also move rockets up to 200 feet long from coast to coast. These projects continue to roll on regardless of the shortterm market fluctuations.
Power Generation - We transport everything from 800,000 lbs. transformers to 180 foot wind turbine blades for General Electric, 6 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
Heavy and Specialized moves for Government related projects. Bennett was the first company in over 15 years to be given clearance to haul Arms, Ammunition and Explosives. So, we haul some pretty scary stuff sometimes. This requires a lot of expertise and focus to ensure these shipments are delivered on time and intact. Most of these moves require government cleared team drivers and most require escorts and protection.” – David Carpenter, Bennett International Group “At H. D. White, we have been focused on building stronger relationships with current customers, expanding our training services to those interested in learning more about logistics/transportation and understanding how we could secure investors and business capital as a minority woman owned logistics company.” – Hope White, H. D. Logistics
How has your business model changed, or priorities shifted in the midst of COVID-19? “When COVID-19 sheltering-in-place started, we decided to accelerate the addition of medical courier service to the Atlanta metropolitan area. We also refined the use of technology to verify business effectiveness.” – Shatequa Hamilton, Translane “Most companies on the production side are still running strong. It’s the hit and miss customers receiving the products who may or may not be open or have reduced hours. The
SHATEQUA HAMILTON Owner
Translane, LLC, is a Women Owned Small Business freight brokerage service specializing in Air Cargo and Logistics, also providing straight trucks, flatbeds, step deck, dry vans, refrigerated vans and heavy haul freight transport nationwide and internationally. Recent addition to the Translane Line incorporates an on demand medical courier service in support of the COVID 19 efforts.
2020 Avalon Pkwy., Suite 305 McDonough, GA 30253
HOPE WHITE
CEO & Operations Manager H.D. White Logistics, LLC, is a non-assetbased Certified Minority Woman Owned Small Business specializing in the facilitation of the movement of Interstate and Intrastate Freight throughout the 48 U.S. States. They currently operate with a growing network of 4300+ carriers.
1001 Industrial Parkway McDonough, GA 30253
MARCIA TAYLOR Chief Executive Officer
Under the leadership of CEO Marcia Taylor, Bennett International Group is a global industry powerhouse. The company offers transportation and logistics solutions across a broad spectrum of markets.
