Meet the 2024 SC Biz News Logistics Industry Power List honorees

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South Caorlina’s logistics industry is constantly on the move, delivering and exporting goods across The Palmetto State and beyond.

Those on the front lines keep South Carolina’s economy moving. In this latest SC Biz News Power List feature, we focus on the logistics industry

Meet the honorees below.

Joel Britt   

Title: Vice President, Terminal Operations

Company/organization: SC Ports

Years in the logistics industry: 25

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? When challenges arise around the world — geopolitical factors, weather events, and cybersecurity threats, to name a few — it can all affect the local supply chain. For example, vessels are currently waiting to transit the Panama Canal due to a drought, and shipping lines are re-routing vessels away from the Suez Canal to avoid potential attacks. Both examples result in cargo delays to ports, so when it does arrive, it needs to move quickly.

From SC Ports’ perspective, we must offer the capacity and efficient operations to ensure velocity of cargo through our terminals to customers and consumers. To keep our supply chain fluid, we need to continue investing in infrastructure, technology, and qualified workforces to facilitate the flow of goods and services.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? API integration is starting to take hold in the industry. Unlike traditional messaging, APIs allow for more efficient, near real-time exchange of key data and cargo events. Customers are seeking real-time updates on their cargo to include estimated arrival and unloading events to changes in availability status. Data sharing is essential for further efficiency in the supply chain.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better?

One positive takeaway from the variety of challenges the pandemic created was a clearer understanding and appreciation of how each individual business group affects the other. In terminal operations, for example, discussing metrics and statistics between gate, yard, and vessel operations became more precise than ever. Collaboration and communication were essential and created a “big picture” approach as people focused on their specific job.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable?

I think it starts by identifying challenges and opportunities and being prepared to adapt. We all need to have discussions on potential challenges, feasibility, and realistic approaches, for big and small businesses alike.   Ultimately, it should be a collective effort to solve how we efficiently deliver goods and services, while being environmentally responsible, creating diverse workforces, and making a positive impact on our communities.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…be resilient and expanding.

Lance Brown

Title: CEO

Company/organization: Rhino Medical Supply Inc.

Years in the logistics industry: 4

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest issue for South Carolina’s supply chain is its vulnerability to unexpected global events. Just like the rest of the world, South Carolina has felt the impact of major disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite learning a lot in the past four years, these lessons aren’t being used enough.

Building resilient supply chains by diversifying suppliers and logistic partners and developing contingency plans can help mitigate the impact of disruptions. Utilizing local sourcing where possible can help rely less on global supply chains.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already making big changes in how different businesses work, and it’s doing the same in logistics. Looking ahead, AI is going to be a game-changer for this industry. It’s going to make things like planning and managing inventory much smarter and more accurate. In short, AI is not just improving how logistics works now; it’s shaping a whole new, more efficient future for the industry.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses started getting more involved in their own logistics to make sure they got what they needed on time. This change led them to work with new, often local, logistics companies and helped them understand how logistics really works. Having more options for logistics partners created a competitive environment, which made the whole process more open and honest.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable?
South Carolina’s logistics industry can be more eco-friendly by focusing more on local supply chains. This means shorter transport routes and less pollution, while also boosting the local economy.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…become more tech-driven and eco-friendly, with a strong focus on prioritizing local supply chains for greater efficiency and community support.

Jarrett Cooper

Title: Vice President of Operations

Company/organization: BW Mitchum Trucking Co.

Years in the logistics industry: 20+

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome?  A competitive labor landscape is one of the biggest challenges the transportation industry faces. Many companies face challenges hiring and retaining qualified drivers. The entry barrier is getting tougher for CDL drivers, therefore pushing these candidates to other professions. Insurance requirements and premiums, along with the government regulatory policies, is making it tough for businesses to hire drivers. The labor issue doesn’t stop with drivers: there is a need for customer service reps, dispatchers, clerks, operations managers, etc.

To help solve this issue, it takes all companies working together to promote our industry. Organizations such as the Charleston Motor Carriers Association raise money for scholarships to award students interested in transportation industries. It’s a grass root effort that will create the most change, in addition to getting in front of high school kids and young adults, educating them on the many positions in the industries, and highlighting lucrative salaries that can quickly be achieved.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Real-time visibility is a game changer. GPS tracking/geo-fencing, driver-facing apps, customer-facing portals, the list goes on. Real-time visibility allows transportation companies and their customers to make well-informed decisions with accurate information. This leads to efficiencies and cost savings, along with many other benefits, such as route planning, customer service, proactive problem solving, inventory management, and security.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? COVID highlighted the critical role that transportation and logistics plays in our life. It also helped promote and encourage careers in an industry that normally was looked down upon. While there were many challenges in the industry, I believe many companies learned how to better protect their supply chains and prepare them for unprecedented events in the future.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? Infrastructure and port growth. The port is a huge economic driver in this state. Port growth extends into every town in South Carolina and creates opportunities. Infrastructure is very important as our state’s population grows. As the amount of freight moved in and around the state increases, we must have roads that can support safe, reliable travel of all vehicles.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…continue to grow, prosper, and be better than ever. We have great leaders in our government and ports that help grow the logistics industries. Businesses throughout South Carolina are riding the wave of growth. There are successful companies that are creating quality jobs for citizens. There’s an abundance of interest from individuals to large private equity companies to invest and start businesses in South Carolina. The opportunities are endless.

Taylor Jackson

Title: President and CEO

Company/organization:  Maritime Association of South Carolina

Years in the logistics industry: 10

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in SC and how can we overcome it? Logistics is over a $48 billion in current economic impact in South Carolina and continues to grow – almost 7.5% increase in total employment according to the latest research by Dr. Joey Von Nessen and SC Logistics. This increase in employment is both a challenge and a blessing. We must continue to focus on recruiting and retaining skilled workers within the supply chain. MASC currently works with the schools on apprenticeship programs, internships, and industry field trips to prepare the next generation of workforce.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry and why? Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence will be the next big change for the industry. Transparency and resilience will continue to be customers’ priorities and the industry itself will demand it. There are several companies leading the logistics industry with technology and truly succeeding at it. For example, Gnosis Freight in Charleston has been able to provide ocean freight customers cost avoidance by providing end-to-end supply chain visibility and automation solutions with expert execution. Technology and logistics will need to move hand in hand towards the future. Customers no longer want to just see their data; they want to be able to actually utilize it.

How did COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The pandemic forced businesses to take a hard look at their processes and costs. It forced companies to be more flexible and diversified in their supply chain planning. Coming out on the other side of the pandemic, I believe that the supply chain and maritime industry is in a much better place of knowing how to adapt quickly to what they need and what their customers require.

How can SC’s logistics industry become more sustainable? The logistics industry in South Carolina can become more sustainable by adopting best practices. Companies feel more pressure now to become more sustainable. Customers no longer are just requesting these practices and regulations – they are demanding it. Companies can adopt sustainable supply chain management practices such as: minimizing waste, utilizing renewable energy sources, digital technology, etc. In addition to this, companies can focus on making sustainability a company culture within the organization.

Finish this sentence, in the next 5 years, SC’s logistics industry will…be booming. There really is no limit to the future of logistics within South Carolina. It’s a great time to be involved within the maritime industry and there really is nothing like it. 

Conner Klein

Title: Director of Warehousing

Company/organization: Logisticus Group

Years in the logistics industry: 6

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? If I had to single out a key aspect, it would be workforce shortages. That can encompass trucking, warehouse employees, and even port labor. A shortage of employees at each level can create congestion and delays which in turn drive up costs. There are many ways to tackle this, such as government and policy support, but we can start with Investing in training and apprenticeship programs and promoting career pathways in the logistics industry.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why?
I believe that logistics providers investing in software, either a transportation or warehouse management system, has been the most beneficial. Utilizing spreadsheets and handwritten information is outdated and a thing of the past. Utilizing a system allows the industry to limit the number of errors which amounts to an increase in dollars and cents.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better?
In my opinion, the pandemic provided an opportunity for the logistics industry to embrace technology, not just from a communication aspect, but also a visibility aspect. We saw more customers requesting and requiring visibility to their commodity, whether that was facilitated via software or by tracking via GPS. Having confidence and trust in your supplier to provide insight to your product with the limited ability for person to person activity was key.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable?
One option would be the implementation of more technology, whether this entails data analytics and tracking systems or software to implement routing optimization. Utilizing the data from the industry can drive a more efficient future.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…cement its position as a major East Coast hub. This will be possible due to our outstanding ports and strategic locations.

Dennis Kunz

Title: Vice President Revenue Strategy and Operation Development

Company/organization: Benore Logistic Systems Inc.

Years in the logistics industry: 3

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it?

The biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina is in my opinion the current and future labor shortage. The demand for skilled and reliable truck drivers or warehouse workers often outpaces the available workforce. Especially as the industry within the state is growing rapidly with all the recent announcements of companies investing in the great State of South Carolina.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why?

Several emerging technologies have had a significant impact on the logistics industry, improving efficiency, visibility, and overall supply chain management. Some of the key technologies include: blockchain; Internet of Things (IoT); AI; autonomous vehicles; robotics and automation; augmented reality; predictive analysis; and cloud computing. The integration of these technologies has collectively contributed to a more agile, responsive, and efficient logistics industry. Companies that embrace these innovations often experience improved customer satisfaction, reduced costs, and increased competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global market. It’s important to note that the landscape of emerging technologies is dynamic, and ongoing developments may introduce new advancements to further enhance logistics capabilities.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…

… likely undergo a transformative evolution marked by increased sustainability initiatives, heightened technological integration, and a continued focus on enhancing supply chain resilience. The industry is expected to embrace innovative practices to address emerging challenges, such as workforce shortages and the imperative to reduce environmental impact. With advancements in automation, digitalization, and green logistics, South Carolina’s logistics sector may emerge as a model for efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability, contributing to the state’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

Josh Ledford

Title: President

Company/organization: Spartan Logistics

Years in the logistics industry: 23

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? I think the biggest issue in South Carolina’s supply chain is the challenge for the ports to stay both relative, cost effective, and efficient. They’re competing against all kinds of different ports up and down the eastern seaboard for that type of revenue flowing from Europe and other countries as an import. To be relevant, efficient and cost effective, you have to be competing against a bunch of other ports in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. And without that revenue coming in, it’s harder to attract that warehousing business to South Carolina.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? The biggest thing that we have seen is the emergence of AI and how it has made our jobs easier – not just on the operational side, but for our sales, marketing, and other support teams. The ability to generate content to market to manufacturers has gotten significantly more convenient and cost-effective. AI has also been useful in generating things such as contracts for our customers, BOLs and other documents for operational level tasks, and assisting in notetaking for meetings companywide.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? When the supply chain got disrupted, we saw a ton of growth in inventory and more products being pushed back to the U.S. The cost of containers went through the roof and they had to start thinking of different solutions on their supply chain solutions. We had a customer at one of our facilities who had to source all their raw materials from overseas because they couldn’t source in America during COVID, which required a new warehouse close to a port to store all the goods. The decision was either: do all of that at a much higher cost or lose the business to a competitor who was storing more goods. That time has switched the way manufacturers utilize their supply chain where they actually have more inventory on hand.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? The most important thing is better infrastructure. There are many areas in South Carolina where it’s not easy to get from one point to another and you must drive through long and narrow roads instead of large highways that take you from point A to point B easily. If we’re trying to recruit truck drivers to South Carolina and make it a more attractive career, more infrastructure when it comes to highways, bridges and road construction are conducive to large over the road trailers.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…grow tremendously! We are very bullish in this market as a company and we have continued growth plans throughout the coming years. We acquired an existing company in 2023 that has allowed Spartan more space and facilities to continue to grow and bring more distribution and warehousing business to South Carolina. We operate 700,000 SF throughout three different cities in South Carolina and are looking to open new locations on a yearly basis to continue to grow in this market. The keys to this growth will be ensuring manufacturers to continue to use the Port of Charleston and providing the necessary infrastructure for years to come.

Micah Mallace

Title: President

Company/organization: Harbor Logistics

Years in the logistics industry: 12 years

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it?
The biggest challenge facing the industry is overcapacity. During the pandemic-fueled mania of goods buying and supply chain congestion, the industry saw over-investment in capacity (trucks, ships, warehouses, etc). The industry is now right-sizing since demand has normalized. The remaining problem is that the pendulum is swinging too far, and capacity is tightening beyond what is needed. To overcome it, companies that depend on transportation providers should consider the effect that a race to the bottom on rates will have on capacity and service levels.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Although it’s certainly no longer an emerging technology – the telephone – seriously. The logistics industry, despite being a global industry that touches every consumer, is actually quite small, relationship driven and complex. For a product to move from point A to point B, two things must work – the physical movement of that product must be unencumbered and the data needed to move that product must similarly move smoothly. However, due to the complexity of both the physical movement and the data flow of a shipment, things often go wrong. Amazingly, a simple phone call is still the best, albeit not often enough used, solution which surprisingly still beats some of the most advanced tech offerings.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better?  The pandemic and ensuing goods buying spree that the U.S. consumer embarked on drove a surge in cargo volumes and thus congestion throughout the supply chain. This forced companies to consider what risks they could affect versus what was out of their control. This intentional assessment of supply chains has dramatically improved resiliency to the point where small issues no longer become big ones as often as in the past.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? Assuming there is demand from consumers, the private sector is the best actor for solving the economics of sustainability. The state could reward companies that are leading sustainable initiatives by offering state contracts, support for federal grants and PR. However, the key consideration is major consumers of South Carolina’s logistics industry need to stipulate that a more sustainable offering is needed. Fortunately, many are already using their scale to push these initiatives.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…be more financially stable, smaller, and greener than it is today.

Austin McCombs

Title: Co-Founder and CEO

Company/organization: Gnosis Freight

Years in the logistics industry: 9

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it (in general)? The biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina is data silos between supply chain partners. While not unique to South Carolina, this issue is particularly important to South Carolina as we are experiencing significant growth. Being able to sustain this growth is going to rely on scaling systems, processes, and standards to meet customers’ growing demand for real-time information and transparency. The earlier that we are able to focus on this foundational piece of our supply chain, the more success we will have against other areas that may be burdened by legacy technical debt.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Data Science. It’s helping organizations in the logistics industry unlock problems and opportunities that were previously hidden and/or buried in tremendous amounts of confusing data. Applied Data Science is ultimately about pattern recognition – which allows logistics teams and companies to make more informed decisions quickly, to double down and reward specific inputs/best practices and helps them invest time and resource more intelligently while mitigating risk.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better?
It catalyzed positive change within the logistics industry by highlighting long-overlooked areas for investment and improvement. The crisis underscored the critical role of logistics workers—unsung heroes who kept the global supply chain operational despite outdated tools and systems. These new investments and attention to these problems have expedited supply chain modernization significantly.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…continue to grow and modernize with further investment. South Carolina is a great place to live and do business, and it’s full of good hardworking people. Companies worldwide are continuing to recognize this. My hope is that in five years South Carolina can be a model for the rest of the nation of how all the stakeholders involved in the logistics industry can work together to drive our economy forward.

John Morrow

Title: Director, Global Accounts

Company/organization: Pegasus Global Logistics

Years in the logistics industry: 32

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest challenge is skilled labor. For the state to attract more businesses, we will need to ensure there is a sufficiently trained workforce to support the new businesses and growth of current business. South Carolina can overcome these issues by working with industry and scholastic leaders to ensure there are programs that lead students and workers to focus on obtaining higher education that is directly in support of the types of businesses in South Carolina.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? The most beneficial tech is ERP software platforms that allow businesses to run their entire company from one platform and have visibility to all aspects of their business.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The pandemic changed logistics by making companies more aware of risk mitigation and having a flexible supply chain. The pandemic also forced companies to invest more time and resources in implementing more effective procurement practices and choosing the best logistics partners.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? The first step in becoming more sustainable is being able to measure your impact on the environment (upstream and downstream). The next step is to implement a plan to reduce the overall carbon footprint.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…need to become more innovative to match the needs of the high tech, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and life science industries. The leaders in SC logistics will also have to work very closely with the state, county, and municipalities to ensure that critical infrastructure investments are always being initiated at least five years ahead of the need.

Amy Sartain

Title: Director of SC Logistics

Company/organization: South Carolina Council on Competitiveness

Years in the logistics industry: 15

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest supply chain challenge we have in South Carolina is ensuring we have enough people interested in and trained to work in supply chain jobs all over the state. We need to make sure that students in K-12 and beyond know about the rewarding career opportunities in the supply chain and are motivated to join the profession.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Many logistics companies have prioritized improvements in data availability, processing, and visibility which is a major enabling factor that will help justify or maximize many other innovative solutions. AMRs (automated mobile robotics) have become more affordable and widely used, they are especially helpful for their flexibility. Looking forward, I am very optimistic about the applications for AI in clerical and administrative tasks in the logistics industry.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? Many stakeholders across companies that were not aware of the importance of logistics in their business have had their eyes opened, and hopefully will stay collaborative to support interdepartmental alignment.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? We need to work together across public and private to support the scaling of solutions that have the best results, while continuing to encourage testing technologies that have a lower readiness level.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will… be a prosperous example of what is possible when you have strong collaboration between private companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and government.

Hari Sivaprakasam

Title: President and Chief Operating Officer

Company/organization: Sunland Logistics Solutions

Years in the logistics industry: 20+ 

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The shortage of trained workforce and technical talent at various levels will continue to be the biggest challenge for supply chains in South Carolina. Continued collaborative partnerships between the public and private sector along with investments in education across public K-12 schools, technical colleges, and universities is required. It’s also important to attract new trained talent to our state, make investments in automation, and improve public transportation to help make career opportunities more accessible to everyone.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMR) has helped improve productivity and is becoming more affordable, which has been particularly beneficial as companies are facing challenges from workforce shortages. Computer Vision Technology is also helping to improve quality in the logistics industry. In Supply Chain Management, 80% of energy goes into addressing 20% of exceptions. In the next decade, Artificial Intelligence properly harnessed will lead to predictive supply chains and increase in proactive decision-making, leading to higher levels of efficiency and resilience.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The COVID-19 pandemic forced companies, countries, and the logistics industry to take strategic and tactical steps to become more resilient by minimizing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) in their supply chains. It motivated improvement initiatives from supplier diversification, offshoring vs nearshoring, automation, disaster recovery plans, remote working, omni channel sales, to safety. But, most importantly it helped people outside of the industry to understand what supply chains are and to recognize how valuable truck drivers, warehouse workers, and all the people who work in logistics are to our society.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? It’s exciting to see the increase in innovative experiments to help make the logistics industry become more sustainable. Focusing on reducing the amount of single use plastics and expanding our options for reusable containers are important ways to help make our supply chains more sustainable. Extending inland port network through rail to the heartland states like Tennessee will significantly reduce carbon emissions for inbound and outbound supply chains. With the state’s strong research universities, manufacturing community, and ability to form collaborative partnerships to achieve a common goal, it wouldn’t be surprising to see South Carolina emerge as a leader in sustainability.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…be case study on diversity of industry, diversity of talent, success story of public/ private collaboration, and shared prosperity.

Jerry Ward

Title: Warehouse and Logistics Manager

Company: Carver Maritime/Carver Cos.

Years in the logistics industry: 45

What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The main hurdle facing South Carolina’s supply chain is a shortage of drivers, traffic congestion, and a lack of interest from younger generations in joining the logistics industry. To overcome this, we need to focus on recruiting younger talent, improving infrastructure to reduce traffic, and offering training programs to attract and retain talent in logistics.

What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? GPS and tracking technology because it allows real-time monitoring of assets and shipments for both companies and customers.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? It taught companies how to work leaner and more efficient due to personnel shortages.

How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? South Carolina’s logistics industry can enhance sustainability by dedicating increased effort and resources towards attracting the younger generation to careers in logistics, including roles such as truck drivers and warehouse workers.

Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will… experience positive growth through technological advancements that help efficiency and service quality, benefiting the ports and local communities.