Major Highways and Airports Make Warehousing in Oregon Strategic
With I-5 a main highway through the entire valley of Oregon, it’s a transportation system going up to the north tip of Washington and down into Southern California. It’s the same for Highway 101 along the coast of Oregon. This extends up to Washington and down into California as well for an easy byway to truck items within one or two days.
Portland International Airport is one of the major airports in all of Oregon for overseas shipping. However, other major international airports exist in Eugene (in the southern valley), plus North Bend, Medford, Redmond, and Pendleton in the eastern part of the state.
Warehouses in Oregon Offer Close Proximity to both California and the Pacific Northwest US
The NW United States is perhaps on your radar this year to set up a fulfillment center for your business. If you’re choosing Oregon, it’s a good strategic state to reach not only Washington State and Canada easily, but also a beeline into California.
Oregon is truly a prime spot if you consider Washington a little too north for the target areas you want to cover.
From computer manufactures to shoe companies, businesses love Oregon. In November 2013, Oregon had $440.1 billion in wholesale trade. Economic numbers continue to rise, making Oregon a great place to locate your fulfillment operation. Not only is Oregon a popular West Coast Fulfillment Center due to its port, but it also serves as a convenient hub for fulfillment in the Northwest U.S.
Top Cities for 3PL Warehousing in Oregon
Portland Oregon is Conveniently Located for Fulfillment
Portland is one of the most famous cities in Oregon, and it’s just as popular with businesses because of the friendly business climate. You can find many 3PL companies here, and they’re all close to The Port of Portland. Through this port, you have several terminals for shipping goods, including for container barging.
Logistic services are just as good with nearby railroads, drayage trucking, and freight forwarders. Of course, with Portland already a major city, having it nearby can mean having access to Portland International Airport as well for easy transportation by air.
All of the terminals at the port can accommodate any type of cargo. While much of that involves lumber and forest products, each terminal ships out packaged cargoes of numerous variety.
Oregon has many different shipping options due to its wide range of transportation and location. Shipping by truck is fast and easy thanks to north–south and east–west Interstates. Its costal location offers many large marine shipping facilities for companies looking to ship to other countries. Oregon also has two West Coast intercontinental railroads.
Portland, the third biggest city in the Northwest, offers a great many advantages for businesses. For example, energy costs are extremely low in Portland. This can translate to lower fulfillment center costs. Also, Oregon is a tax-free state. This can save you large sums of cash. There’s no doubt why big names like Adidas, Nike, Under Armour and Leatherman have moved their headquarters to Oregon.
Springfield as a Logistics-Friendly City
Maybe you’ve never heard of Springfield, yet it’s part of the better-known Eugene metropolitan area. What you probably didn’t know is Springfield had a vote as being one of the Top 25 logistics-friendly cities in America.
At the heart of this is cheaper operations for warehouses there thanks to low labor and energy costs. Focusing on Portland, warehouse operating costs are frequently substantially higher, so Springfield is a smart option.
Besides, you’re not far from Portland when shipping by rail or by truck. I-5 connects you to the entire valley of Oregon. Going to Seattle for more international shipping wouldn’t cost a fortune either considering I-5 is a beeline to the Emerald City.
Public Warehousing in Salem, Oregon
As the capital of Oregon, Salem is only 40 miles to the south of Portland. You’re only a few miles away from I-5 exits to reach all other Oregon cities and the entire west coast. If you have to use ports, you’re a short transport drive from Portland to use their ports, or along the northern Oregon Coast.
The city has an industrial section in its downtown area that can help you distribute by rail, truck, river, or by air. In the latter case, most items can go to Portland in less than an hour to fly out via PDX.
You’ll find a main rail line here that goes up and down the West Coast, as well as reaching eastern markets in just a day or two.
Outside of Portland, don’t overlook Oregon’s capital city, Salem, as a great central location for 3PL companies. This city is only 40 miles away from Portland so shipping items between valley cities can happen virtually overnight.
Eugene Oregon Fulfillment Companies
In the southern valley is Eugene where you can find just as many fulfillment centers. You’re well-positioned in Eugene to send to the entire southern section of Oregon, including closer access to the California border. Still, you’ll want to vet all the others to see which ones best suit the type of products you offer.
Eugene to the south is a vibrant city that connects to all cities in the valley, including easy access to the coast or eastern Oregon. All of these cities have many railway services for shipping goods. Some of the best known are Union Pacific Railroad and Willamette & Pacific Railroad.
The Port of Newport for 3PL Warehouses
With Portland such a perfect central location for finding 3PL centers, don’t discount the Oregon Coast either. The Port of Newport is a major hub for shipping goods up and down the Pacific Coast and internationally. With Newport a major coastal community, you have another good location for shipping goods to other coastal areas to the north or south.
The Port of Newport is currently planning to expand their shipping facility to help bring more efficient agricultural exports.
Klamath Falls, Oregon Pick and Pack Companies
Closer to the southern Oregon border is Klamath Falls, which has some good warehousing services in the region. It’s a beneficial location since you can reach the California border quicker for rush deliveries to Northern California customers.
Freight trucking is a major strong suit in Klamath Falls, allowing you to focus on truck deliveries throughout the state for more local customer attention. Now that the population in this part of the U.S. exceeds the Northeast (according to 2015 census figures), Oregon is a great state to base a warehouse to cover perhaps more than half of your customer list.
Key Fulfillment Data in Oregon
Choosing the best 3PL warehouse in Oregon is a complex decision. Below is summary information about Oregon population, number of warehouses, and taxes so that you can make a more informed decision about whether the state offers your company the best fulfillment services potential.
To get an idea of the types of companies that operate in Oregon, check out the top 10 largest companies in the state.
Average Fulfillment and Warehousing Pricing in Oregon
The below table gives a high-level idea of what average rates might look like in Oregon for fulfillment services, based upon surveys of outsourced warehousing companies throughout the US.
3PL Warehouse Companies in Oregon: A Tremendous Option for NW Shipping
If you’re considering partnering with a 3PL warehouse company in Oregon, you have a perfect central location for shipping goods up and down the west coast. With Washington up north and California to the south, you can use ports in those states if necessary, without major delays. However, Oregon has numerous ports along the coast for small shipping duties. Plus, major arterial methods are available to get goods quickly distributed throughout the region.
Those not familiar with Oregon’s surrounding cities sometimes think Portland is the only hub for effective warehouse distribution. This isn’t true when you consider the state has a major highway extending the length of the interior valley.
Train lines are also extensive, and one of the main lines extends through most major towns and cities.
All in all, Oregon offers distinctive advantages for fulfillment and warehousing services in the western US, Northeastern US, and into western Canada.
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