TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS INDUSTRY COVID-19 Impact – Tough Decisions, New Opportunities

INDUSTRY PROFILE

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.

Q&A

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

Translane owner, Shatequa Hamilton, posting sign about need for owneroperator truck drivers.

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,

Mitsubishi-Hitachi Power Systems, etc. We move anything that has to do with generating power.

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

H. D. White, CEO & Operations Manager Hope White occasionally rides along with her husband Tyjah White, an owner-operator, to better understand the challenges owner-operators face in an ever changing freight world.

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 government facilities have been impacted the most. So, we have shifted some of those resources over to other industries who are still moving until the government locations start shipping and receiving again.

In some cases, companies have moved up their “shut down” plans. These plants typically shut down for maintenance in July or August and the entire company takes a one- or two-week vacation during that time. So, while things almost came to a halt anyway, they moved their shutdowns to happen now and the employees are taking their vacation now. This is smart.

So, we are focused on continuing to service our existing customers as well as exploring any and all new opportunities that come our way.”

– David Carpenter, Bennett International Group

“We were onboarding with three major companies for three large contracts and with COVID-19 everything came to a halt. So, we were forced to support the spot market within Transportation versus our dedicated customers. This resulted in a drop in business.

We were able to create and launch the consulting side of my business hopewhiteconsulting.com. Also, we created and launched four online freight brokerage courses.”

– Hope White, H. D. White Logistics

Describe any new business opportunities that have resulted or come into focus in response to COVID-19.

“As stated above the medical transport business in support of COVID-19 has opened new opportunities for those willing to get involved in the support effort.”

– Shatequa Hamilton, Translane

“We have been approached by various grocery chains and on-line retailers to provide ‘power only’ resources to help move their equipment and shipments to market. The overwhelming demand to ship items directly to the consumer has left these companies without enough drivers to pull their equipment. So, they just want our drivers and tractors to pull their trailers. We will see what comes out of this for the long run, but right now we are making decisions on a daily basis. Our primary concern is to support our existing customers. We don’t want a short-term opportunity to cost us a long term customer.”

– David Carpenter, Bennett International Group

“We have solidified new supplier opportunities with a new customer base that we had not previously considered prior to COVID-19. Additionally, we have found and connected with a few procurement sources through webinars and zoom events on LinkedIn, a tool not previously utilized as much. We will launch our blog for HD White Logistics in mid-May.”

– Hope White, H. D. White International

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP

5916 East Lake Pkwy., Suite 170 McDonough, GA 770-580-5693

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-asset based 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.