Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation Announces the Establishment of Operations in Charleston
April 28, 2010
Company acquires International Forwarders, Inc. andexpects to create new jobs
CHARLESTON, SC – April 22, 2010 – At the South Carolina State PortsAuthority today, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the City ofCharleston, Charleston County and the Charleston Regional DevelopmentAlliance (CRDA) announced that Odyssey Logistics & TechnologyCorporation will acquire International Forwarders Inc., a third partylogistics service provider in Charleston. The company will retain thecurrent workforce and plans to add a significant number of new jobs.
“Our new Charleston facility will help us expand our presence in theSoutheast, add additional services and allow us to meet our growingdemand. As we continue to increase our global customer base, theestablishment of new operations in South Carolina offers a strategiclocation for wider market penetration. We are excited to be expandingour business with the addition of a facility in South Carolina and thankthe team of local and state officials for their assistance in makingthis possible,” said Bob Shellman, president and chief executive officerof Odyssey Logistics & Technology.
Odyssey Logistics & Technology will utilize the currentInternational Forwarders Inc. facility for its operations. The 40employees working for International Forwarders will become part of theOdyssey team immediately and the addition of new positions is expectedover the next several years.
“South Carolina’s exceptional market access continues to be a major drawfor businesses specializing in the timely delivery of goods to bothdomestic and international markets. The Palmetto State’s centrallocation along the East Coast and world-class Port of Charleston providecompetitive advantages that benefit a variety of firms that choose tolocate here,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce. “Today’sannouncement not only means the retention of an existing workforce, butwill also mean more job opportunities for residents in an industry thatcontinues to be in-demand. We welcome Odyssey Logistics &Technology to our state’s business community and look forward to a longand prosperous relationship with them in the years ahead.”
Odyssey Logistics & Technology is a global logistics andtransportation service provider for various global industries. The newfacility in Charleston will focus on customhouse brokering andinternational freight forwarding.
“Odyssey will be a most welcome addition to the Charleston businesscommunity as they bring critical investment and jobs to our City. Charleston has a vibrant and growing logistics sector, a factunderscored both by International Forwarders Inc.’s successful historyhere and Odyssey’s plans to expand its local footprint in the comingyears. We are confident that our competitive business environment,world-class infrastructure, excellent quality of life and unparalleledaccess to transportation networks will greatly benefit this company andits employees. The City of Charleston looks forward to working withOdyssey in its new venture here,” said Mayor Joe Riley.
“Our heartiest congratulations go out today to Odyssey Logistics on thismomentous occasion,” said Teddie E. Pryor, Chairman of CharlestonCounty Council. “Charleston has three centuries of history as adominant seaport and international trade center. Our intermodallogistics advantages offer a formidable competitive environment wherecompanies can meet and vastly exceed their customers’ expectations. Today Odyssey Logistics begins a new era in its corporate life, even asit becomes a part of the Charleston legacy. The company will have oursteadfast support and well wishes for a successful and profitablefuture.”
“Today’s announcement from Odyssey Logistics reaffirms the key role thePort of Charleston’s plays in our region’s economic developmentefforts,” said CRDA Chairman Mitchell Bohannon. “We are pleased to seeOdyssey Logistics build on the foundation that International Forwardershas laid for years, and excited the company has plans for futuregrowth.”
South Carolina boasts more than 470 warehousing and distribution centersacross the state, and these centers employ more than 34,000 individualsin the state.
“Charleston has a diverse and capable maritime community, made up ofmore than 400 private companies. International Forwarders has been animportant part of this, and we are exceptionally pleased to help welcomethe added strength of Odyssey to the Port City,” said Jim Newsome,president and CEO, South Carolina State Ports Authority.
Odyssey’s facility in Charleston will put the company’s operations inclose proximity to the Port of Charleston, the deepest port in theSoutheast and one of the busiest ports on the East Coast. TheCharleston Customs district ranks as the nation’s eighth largest indollar value of shipments, with more than $62 billion in cargo annually.
Individuals interested in future employment opportunities are encouragedto check the company’s Web site www.odysseylogistics.com.
About OL&T
Odyssey Logistics & Technology (OL&T) and its subsidiariesdeliver a comprehensive portfolio of managed logistics and third-partyservices to the global chemical and process manufacturing industries.With more than 30 percent average annual revenue growth for the lastfive years, OL&T moves products with more than $42 billion in valuebetween 185,000 origins and destinations and 220 ports worldwide,servicing midsize to large global chemical and process industry clients.For more information about the company, please visit www.odysseylogistics.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economicdevelopment professionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs andinvestments and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has beenrecognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economicimpact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C.Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic developmentorganizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award from BusinessFacilities magazine. Commerce received the top prize for Boeing’sselection of North Charleston for the company’s second final assemblyplant for the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investmentrecruitment, the agency provides a range of business support services,offers grants for community development and infrastructure improvements,and provides tools to enhance workforce skills. For more information,visit www.SCcommerce.com.
