Rank	Airport	Total Cargo	Percent Change
1	Hong Kong (HKG)	3,976,768	-4.5
2	Memphis, TN (MEM)	3,916,410	0.0
3	Shanghai (PVG)	3,085,267	-4.4
4	Anchorage, AK (ANC)	2,543,105	-3.9
5	Incheon (ICN)	2,543,105	-5.4
6	Paris (CDG)	2,300,063	-4.1
7	Dubai (DXB)	2,269,767	0.0
8	Frankfurt (FRA)	2,214,939	-2.6
9	Louisville, KY (SDF)	2,188,421	1.0
10	Tokyo (NRT)	1,945,351	10.3

1. Source: Airports Council International
    

   Freight Originating in Memphis, 2011

   Mode	Value
   Truck	$226,987,250,000
   Multiple Modes & Mail	$27,684,470,000
   Air (including truck-air)	$9,755,100,000
   Rail	$1,087,310,000
   Water	$367,770,000

Source: Center for Transportation Analysis, Freight Analysis Framework Data Tabulation Tool

Markets Served through Overnight Truck Service, Metro Comparison

City	Total Metro Markets Served	Top 100 Metro Markets Served
Memphis	152	40
St. Louis	146	38
Chicago	139	38
Kansas City	109	24
Dallas	71	20

1. Source: CTSI

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Major Logistics and Distribution Operations

FedEx Corporation moved their headquarters from Little Rock to Memphis in 1973.  Since then, FedEx has grown to a family of companies, providing supply chain and logistics solutions, in addition to overnight delivery, to companies worldwide. Proximity to the FedEx World Hub, and some of the latest drop-off times for overnight delivery in the country, has drawn several top logistics and distribution operations to Memphis.
 
Technicolor operates a 4 million square foot distribution facility in southeast Memphis.  Employing more than 2,500 people, Technicolor handles the logistics and distribution of DVDs and Blu-Rays for Warner Brothers and other entertainment companies.
 
Nike’s three local distribution facilities in Memphis serve as the company’s main retail and wholesale distribution operation for North America.  In 2012, Nike announced a $301 million expansion of their Northridge facility, and a $25 million upgrade of their Shelby Drive facility, adding 250 new jobs.

Other Major  Logistics and Distribution Operations (based on FTE)

• Accredo Health Group
• AutoZone Inc.
• Flextronics Logistics USA
• Impact Logistics
• International Paper
• Medtronic
• New Breed Logistics
• United States Postal Service
• United Parcel Service

Largest Trucking Companies (based on FTE)

• Con-Way Freight
• FedEx Freight
• Intermodal Cartage Companies
• JNJ Express
• Knight Transportation
• Ozark Motor Lines
• Schneider National Carriers
• Swift Transportation Co. Inc.
• Trans-Carriers, Inc.
• UPS Freight
• YRC Worldwide

Sources: 2013 Memphis Business Journal Book of Lists and Interrmodal Cartage Companies

Class 1 Railroads Serving Memphis

Union Pacific (UP) operates a full service intermodal yard in West Memphis, AR and Memphis, is the easternmost city in the Union Pacific network. There, UP interchanges traffic with eastern railroads. Union Pacific ships cotton, lumber, processed foods, clothing and electrical machinery to, and from, Memphis. In addition, Union Pacific owns and operates the Harahan Bridge, which stretches nearly 5,000 feet across the Mississippi River, connecting the Western half of the US to Memphis.

BNSF Railway (BNSF) completed an expansion to its Tennessee Yard along Highway 78 in 209. Capacity at the yard was expanded to 1,000,000 container lifts per year from 250,000. The yard also has parking for more than 6,000 trucks, an automated inventory tracking system, six (6)-7500’ intermodal tracks, five (5) loading cranes, and three (3) nine-story stacking cranes that are hailed as some the tallest in the United States.

Norfolk Southern (NS) has three (3) intermodal tracks available, stacking capabilities, on load and off load services, open 7 days per week.  The recently completed 570 acre intermodal facility in Rossville, TN can handle more 200,000 trucks annually and is part of a planned mixed use development.

Canadian National Railroad (CN) completed a $100 million expansion to the Harrison Yard located within President’s Island near downtown Memphis in 2009. These upgrades make the Harrison Yard CN's second largest classification yard in the United States. It has a capacity of more than 3,100 freight cars with 45 tracks in the classification yard. It also has 12 receiving and departure tracks ranging in length from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The revised operation can handle 35 or more freight trains per day. The yard is also shared by CSX.

CSX Corporation (CSX) also operates intermodal and automobile distribution terminals in Memphis.

 

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Real Estate

With more than 15 million square feet of available warehouse space, and among the nation’s lowest lease rates, companies can easily find a space that will meet their needs in Memphis.  The Greater Memphis Chamber can also assist in finding the right piece of land to build distribution or warehouse facilities.  To search for properties, click here.

Construction Cost Comparison, Q3 2012

1. City	Average Construction Cost, 100,000 sq ft. Warehouse
   National Average	$7,971,500
   St. Louis, MO	$8,298,500
   Louisville, KY	$7,332,500
   Atlanta, GA	$7,105,000
   Nashville, TN	$6,869,500
   Memphis, TN	$6,734,500

Source: RSMeans

 

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Education and Innovation

Since its founding in 1971, FedEx has revolutionized the logistics industry.  Today, Memphis remains at the forefront of logistics innovation and education.  The educational institutions in Memphis offer logistics professionals quality educational opportunities and lead the way in research and innovation. Training programs range from truck driving licensure to masters degrees in supply chain management.  The FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis supports innovative research works with several research centers to invest in and commercialize new inventions.

For more information or to search for specific programs, visit the Training and Aerotropolis Career Training and Education pages.

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Workforce

Memphis Metro Wages by Occupation

Occupation	Employees	Average Hourly Wage
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers	27,630	$12.10
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	13,860	$20.37
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	5,400	$14.22
Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers	4,970	$16.03
Packers and Packagers	4,270	$10.98
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers	1,730	$22.33
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators	1,730	$25.90
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	1,530	$31.18
Management Analysts	1,490	$39.55
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	1,080	$44.69
Industrial Engineers	950	$36.69
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	890	$10.73
Machine Feeders and Offbearers	520	$14.25
Logisticians	440	$29.94
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	280	$14.44
Crane and Tower Operators	280	$18.88
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	230	$41.14

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

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