[00:00:05] It’s time for Supply Chain Now Radio Broadcasting live Supply chain capital of the country, Atlanta, Georgia. Supply Chain Now Radio spotlights the best in all things supply chain the people, the technology, the best practices and the critical issues of the day. And now here are your hosts.

 

[00:00:29] All right. Good morning, Scott Luton here with you, Liveline Supply Chain Now Radio. Welcome back to the show. We’re broadcasting Lambe Day, not from Atlanta, but from the South Carolina fall Logistics tech talk in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina at the school yard center, which is a new one for me. Yeah, but what a gorgeous facility here. We are doing this in partnership with the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, which hosts the tech talk. And Greg, this event highlights some of the most innovative companies and leaders are driving the Logistics industry in the booming state of South Carolina. To our listeners, all like all of our series and splotch in our Ryder, you can find our replays on a wide variety of channels Apple podcast, SoundCloud, YouTube, wherever you get your podcast from. As always, we’d love to have you subscribe to your MAZI thing. So let’s welcome in. My esteemed co-host made the drive down to this gorgeous city here yesterday. Greg White serial supply chain tech entrepreneur and trusted advisor and board member Greg. How you doing?

 

[00:01:27] I’m doing great, thank you. It’s it is great, but great to be back here.

 

[00:01:30] It is great to be back here. The weather cooperated. It was too human yesterday.

 

[00:01:35] It was a crisp fall morning this morning. A lot of comments from Charlestonians about the weather. This. Yes. And I used to. Well.

 

[00:01:44] So and we’ve got a great interview. We’re gonna kick off the series here today with Jamie Taylor. Yeah. Coordinator Inside Cells with the South Carolina Ports Authority. Jamie, how you doing? I’m doing well. Thank you guys for having me. You know, if you’re gonna be down in Charleston, then you’d be talking supply chain or really business in general. Yeah. It’s natural to kick off for the ports. Fifty three billion dollar economic juggernaut. Yeah, that drives not just the state economy, which those numbers do it or the impact on South Carolina, its economy, but it drives a regional economy. And you could part make an argument that it helps the continent move a Sheer. Right. Absolutely. All right. So so, Jamie, thanks for joining us here and there. This is been a busy week for you and your team. We’ll talk more about some of things you’ve been up to this week. But for starters, and Greg, just like we want to provide some color commentary for our listeners right now. Jamie, tell us a little more about yourself, who you are, where you’re from, the kind of professional journey.

 

[00:02:41] Sure. Absolutely. My name is Jamie Taylor. I went to College University, South Carolina, graduated marketing management major in 2006. After college, I spent some time at Cummins Engine Corporation here in Charleston. So I handled the international Logistics for the Maureen division here in Charleston. After leaving there in 2012, I went to OSL. I handled sales there for them for about five years. And then I came over to the port here in Charleston almost three years ago.

 

[00:03:16] Okay, cool.

 

[00:03:17] So I bet that Cummins and ocn experience really special. Your international experience. Shabbas organizations really prepared you well for for Delta Force.

 

[00:03:27] Absolutely side. I think I bring a, you know, a BCO perspective. Being at Cummins and then the ocean carrier perspective and bringing it, you know, tied it all together here at the port level.

 

[00:03:37] That’s great with what you guys are trying to do to expand the influence of the ports. I absolutely respect. Yeah, for sure.

 

[00:03:43] Yeah. So let’s say the ports now. For how many years? Almost three years. Three years.

 

[00:03:52] And as the speed and the rate of change and growth, have you seen the pulse pick up month in a month out?

 

[00:04:00] Absolutely. So we just complete our fiscal year in July of this past year. We had a record fiscal year. We were roughly around 10 percent above our plan. We are on track to have another record year. So we’ve had record months consecutively since our end of our fiscal year. And August, September, October looks to be another strong month as well as far as volume. So we we have a lot of things going on here. We were very integral in working with South Carolina Commerce Department as well on, you know, contracting companies to locate here in South Carolina. You know, either that or to try to, you know, expand if they’re currently in south to.

 

[00:04:43] So at its highest level y’alls mission to fold your support and the businesses that are here. Right. Helping them grow, providing access, solving, I’m sure, Logistics and supply chain problem. Right. Removing those obstacles. But then also you’re you’re helping. Kate. And really, the region land new business, right?

 

[00:05:02] Absolutely. So we’re we’re probably the largest economic driver for the state of South Carolina. And so we we are very integral in how we attract companies to locate here and how we help them improve and expand their business in the state.

 

[00:05:18] And, you know, the inland port system seems that from all accounts, I haven’t toured yet. We’ve had an invite to it. We’re going to we’re going to take take out the team next time we’re here or upstate. It seems like Spanish met a smashing success for the ports.

 

[00:05:34] Absolutely. So we open inland Port Greer about six years ago. The major driver for that particular facility was BMW. They were the anchor account. And so initially, most of the volume in an outbound of that facility was with BMW. Now we’re seeing a very diverse set of companies using that facility. We’ve dramatically grown it. I mean, I think we did over 150000 rail lifts last year. In year five, we. We didn’t even anticipate doing 100000 container moves there. We did 150000 last year. So, you know, and Greer has been such a big success story that we opened our second inland port in Dillon, South Carolina, in April of 2018. And the anchor account there is harbor freight tools. So we’re we’re excited about the growth of Greer. And now with Dillon coming online and the inland port platform, I think is really transformed how ports do business around the country.

 

[00:06:37] So can you share a little bit about what? Why? Sure. Inland ports are just some of our listeners. They’re not as familiar.

 

[00:06:44] Yeah, sure. Absolutely. So we have a inbound outbound train for more inland ports to Charleston. And that’s a six day a week train service for Greer, five day a week train service for Dylan. And so basically what we’re able to do is, is take trucks off the road way with to have a more efficient supply chain for importers, exporters. Also, with the trucking shortage that we’ve seen here in the in the country, in particular, southeast shippers able to hedge their risk against a truck using the inland port model via rail.

 

[00:07:21] Right. And and they can also can they also clear Customs Inland yet rather than at the seaport? Yes. Yes, correct.

 

[00:07:28] So on the import side, for Greer, a shipper would get a rate from their ocean carrier to Greer, South Carolina. Okay. That rate would include the ocean to Charleston. And then the rail to Greer. So the only thing that would have to manage would be the trucking piece from Maureen Lu to court to to the final destination.

 

[00:07:48] Okay, great. And then one of the things I understand about inland ports and I’ll defer to the expert is beyond the benefit, beyond the benefits that you’ve already laid out. It also in the car spoke to Supply chain efficiency.

 

[00:08:01] But, you know, with e-commerce and there’s expectations and service levels continue and get smaller and smaller in Amazon’s about the mayka, the one day standard for its prime customers is Alen Portes. Help things move quicker, you know, from from where it comes in the port into the business markets, right?

 

[00:08:18] Absolutely. I think the major advantage to a shipper perspective is, you know, you’re going to have more truck capacity in an inland port market versus a port market like Charleston or Savannah or any other port, for that matter. And so is a shipper. You are able to have a lot more power, you know, in particular, if you’re doing a lot of freight, even if you’re doing a little bit of freight, you’re able to to capitalize on a broader truck market. Greer, Dillon versus Charleston.

 

[00:08:47] Well, clearly, what you are doing is being benchmarked by other states. If you look at the growth of inland ports usage and their success nationally and in a lot of markets are moving to using your kind of pull levers in this thing. So we look forward to kind of seeing what’s next, not just for the ports, but also from an inland port utility utilization standpoint.

 

[00:09:09] Okay. Let’s talk about the big event that kind of is our backdrop, or at least it was last night as we were setting up in early this morning. I think you all wrapped up the event. Tell us more about what that have been. Is. Is it something I’ll do every year and who is here?

 

[00:09:21] Sure. So we’re at the satellite international trade conference. I believe it’s a forty six year consecutively. We have had this event. It is kind of the Super Bowl, if you will, for us at the Ports Authority. Kind of our our key initiative for this week is to have as many as our clients in as possible. You know, in entertaining meetings and in sidebar discussions. And, you know, there’s been to give you kind of who’s here, the ocean carriers, all the major ocean carriers are here. President, this event, a lot of the major shippers. borders’ exporter’s Drage Providers freight forwarder, so it’s really a who’s who in the international Logistics community is at this event.

 

[00:10:09] So we heard. So I dig Patel spoke yesterday. Yes. Wow. How is that?

 

[00:10:17] That was fantastic. You know, growing up, I’m a huge sports fan. And in particular, college basketball and what he’s done for the sport. And it was really great to see him and hear him. And I think everyone really enjoyed it. And so what were his thoughts on inland ports?

 

[00:10:35] I don’t think we were asking about it as an as yet. Press, press. Get a to baby. Let’s take it then.

 

[00:10:43] You’re on a modern game, guys. Have a great basketball coach. Frank Morris has done some great things driving the basketball program forward. Yes. All right. So, so big event, the South Carolina International Trade Conference. And the neat thing that I’ve seen and this is our first time here, the fall Logistics tech talk. I love how they kind of combine a kind of book into tech talk with what what sounds like a great event that deports Drogheda earlier in the week.

 

[00:11:08] Sure. Yeah, absolutely. So, you know, some of the Keith sessions here, I think I think we do a good job or at least the conference does of aligning all the perspectives of supply chain and having very sessions on that and trying to intermingle that and try to understand. You know, in this community that we’re in of Logistics, how can we improve? How can we improve ourselves? How can we improve for our clients and other shippers? Yep.

 

[00:11:37] So the intermingling that you mentioned that I think that there’s so much value in cross-pollination in the global inin Supply chain community, I think I think there’s so many neat resources and the innovative companies and solutions and but even in the digital age we live in, the Google age we live in. It’s tough for folks to find and and make these connections that that lead to all types of collaboration. So I love the intermingling approach I’ve taken here with these these two events. Absolutely. All right. So growth certainly has been one of the common threads in this conversation already. But let’s let’s dove in a little bit more to the growth story, because South Carolina keeps stacking up wins when you look at not just Logistics growth, but kind of in the end, supply chain growth.

 

[00:12:23] What are some of your thoughts on that? Absolutely. So, you know, we’re we’re we’re seeing a lot of shippers move into South Carolina. We’re we’re a very business friendly state. I think we do a really good job of of marketing and targeting companies that we see rapid growth in. So in particular here, Southwire Ports Authority, our focused regional recently has been on retail distribution. We’ve always been known as more of a manufacturing point because we have so many manufacturers that we support, not only in South Carolina, but our region as a whole. I think we’ve kind of pivoted some not two to 10 to neglect that focus of business. But retail distribution is a major focus for us, at least on the on the commercial team at the port. We’re trying to understand, you know, what are the rapidly growing segments of the market? E-commerce is such a growing segment and we want to make sure that we’re out in front of these these customers that are rapidly growing in order to to talk about South Carolina and how we can become involved.

 

[00:13:27] Is that what you think is driving so much of the growth? I mean, you’ve also recently deepened and continue to the port as well. Yes. Get bigger and bigger ships in there.

 

[00:13:36] But absolutely. So we have a couple pilot projects. We’re focusing on the harbor deepening. We are currently 45 feet at high tide. We’re going to 52 feet. That project will be done in two years. That allows us to bring 14000 Teemu vessels and a larger into our docks at any tide. So currently we are tightly restricted in regards to those large ships. So, you know, if it’s low tide and we have a mega ship coming in, that’s a weight off shore. So that that’s a key initiative forces a harbor deepening. We’re the only port under construction of a new terminal in the country that will be complete in 2021, Phase 1. So that’s going to give us about 700000, Teemu, of more capacity. So we you know, those are our two major projects focusing on growing inland port business as well. That’s another key initiative. And then, you know, trying to get ahead of these these e-commerce retail customers and let them know what Southcorp’s about.

 

[00:14:38] Sounds like you’re being really proactive in trying to anticipate where the economy is going and support that change in the economy. That’s a somewhat unique approach. Sheriff reports. But I think it’s actually it’s in line with what we saw when we were here about a month ago. Yes. In that you all have a very forward thinking methodology. Practical.

 

[00:14:58] Absolutely. It is a. Look at the overall GDP, 70 percent of the GDP is is consumers. This is consumption based.

 

[00:15:06] And so you have to understand that that, you know, we’re always going to be an import dominant country. And so with that, you have to look at where those imports are coming from.

 

[00:15:16] Yeah. Yeah. So two thoughts when you said, come in. You can take ships. Come in our lives on at any tide. I was like, man, that’s a whole different mindset. I thought when I first heard of my Shirley Hedeman, any time now, any time that speaks, I’m set. You’ll have to have right at the port. Right. All right.

 

[00:15:37] And then secondly, to your point, Greg, and how you were saying earlier about our previous conversations down here and Jamie, how you were talking about how the state makes it a business friendly environment.

 

[00:15:48] Ashely Teasdel was director business services with this South Carolina Department of Commerce.

 

[00:15:53] Yeah. And what a fireball.

 

[00:15:55] That one home, one interview. Yeah, but you could eat anyone. Listen, that interview walked away with a breath of fresh air.

 

[00:16:04] You know, you don’t think you didn’t think regulatory. You think you know, obstacles. Is that what we heard is a state official that wants to make it as easy as possible to make business, establish here and grow here?

 

[00:16:18] She not consciously changed her career choice from banking, where she was helping small businesses to the state, where she could help even more small businesses into even more situations. And to see that kind of spirit in a government entity is exceedingly rare. Sheer, but certainly refreshing and it seems consistent with what we’ve seen in talking to some of your call. Absolutely.

 

[00:16:38] And long as lines, we would do that. How do you do when you think of the culture on the ports team? Seems like some of those elements would apply as well.

 

[00:16:46] Yeah, I think we’ve got a business perspective. I think we’re very different than other state supported entities. We we operate more like a private company. We have our own budget, but we do get, you know, funds from federal and state levels as well for various projects. But, you know, on the commercial team where we’re very aggressive in our approach and think we’ve got a great product to sell and we’ve got a lot of projects. And so we’re you know, we’re just trying to continue to gain market share in the port market.

 

[00:17:14] Well, looks like you’re doing well in that regard. All right. So how can our listeners, if they heard something like the one compare notes or they might want to explore different ways they can move?

 

[00:17:26] Maybe they want to know what Dick Fontanel say.

 

[00:17:30] Lucky folks get in touch with Sherkin. So, again, my name’s Shamie Taylor. Inside sales coordinates Satellite Ports Authority. You can e-mail me at J. Taylor T-A Y. ELA war at SC s._p._c._a dot com.

 

[00:17:44] Great. And the ports web site. That would be SC s p-a dot.com. Yes, sir. Right. For South Carolina state ports that are already EFT. Sherkin. Gotcha. What a great leadoff interview. Amy, really appreciate your time here. Did you guys for having me? You bet. Well, thanks for what you are doing to drive business. I meant that. That helps everybody.

 

[00:18:06] I want to. I also want to encourage just one thing to fashion note here. Everyone should check this out on YouTube because that is a stylin glaze.

 

[00:18:14] Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. I appreciate that reference. Well, that is a Charleston blazer, right?

 

[00:18:21] A big thing is Jamie Taylor with the South Carolina Port Authority for joining us here as we continue our coverage of the South Carolina fall Logistics tech. Talk to our audience. Be sure to check us out. Apple podcast, SoundCloud, YouTube, really wherever you find your podcasts. And of course, you can check out all of our content at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com for Greg White and the entire Supply Chain Now Radio gang. We’re on the move. I hope you have a great day and we’ll see you next time on Supply Chain Now Radio. Thanks, everybody.