Schneider Logistics, Inc., an international lead logistics provider and part of the Schneider National enterprise, announced that its American Port Services subsidiary has signed a significant warehousing contract with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Under the contract, American Port Services will provide the world's largest retailer with full operating services in their 3.4 million square feet of warehousing space, creating a new Import Distribution Center in Elwood, Ill., and bringing more than 300 new jobs to the area.
The American Port Services contract supports Wal-Mart's import business flowing from West Coast ports by rail to the Greater Chicagoland area. Products moving through the corridor are en route to Wal-Mart distribution centers and stores throughout the Midwest.
"The Elwood distribution center will provide Wal-Mart the opportunity to better serve our stores throughout the Midwest," said Johnnie Dobbs, executive vice president of logistics and supply chain for Wal-Mart. "Our partnership with American Port Services, Schneider Logistics and Schneider National will create hundreds of good paying jobs for the region and represents our continued commitment to Illinois as a partner in both economic and community development."
The Elwood, Ill., contract comes on the heels of a major Mira Loma, Calif., transloading and warehousing contract awarded to American Port Services by Wal-Mart earlier this year. Under the Elwood contract, American Port Services will provide warehousing services out of the CenterPoint Industrial Park, adjacent to the BNSF Logistics Park-Chicago. Operations at the facility will begin mid-summer.
"American Port Services and Schneider have built our reputations and grown our businesses by creating value for our clients and delivering service excellence," said George Powers, president, American Port Services. "This win exemplifies that shipping clients are looking for exactly what our two companies bring to the table: a wide range of transportation and logistics services available through one resource, that in turn, ultimately translates into lower costs, shorter cycle times and improved flexibility."