Three Companies Expand in Kentucky Distribution, Logistics Hub
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Northern Kentucky’s footprint for logistics, distribution, transportation and cargo businesses has recently grown with three company expansions totaling $17.4 million.
“Kentucky’s unique location and access to resources makes the commonwealth one of the most important distribution and logistics hubs in the country,” said Gov. Andy Beshear Jan. 31.
That day he announced the $5.4 million expansion of Whitehorse Freight in Crestview Hills and $8 million renovation of Ancra Cargo’s headquarters in Hebron.
Beshear gathered with local officials and Michael Bilokonsky, president and CEO of Whitehorse Freight, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 31 on a 51,000-square-foot building to increase the company’s operations and overall office space in Kenton County.
Founded in 2015, Whitehorse Freight is seeking to hire 400 sales personnel at the new site, which is much larger than the 6,000-square-foot space it had used, Bilokonsky said. It is a third-party logistics company that connects shippers to carriers and specializes in moving full truckloads. The larger building enables it to increase both operations and overall office space.
The Whitehorse Freight ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp.)
Future growth is also envisioned by Ancra Cargo, founded in 1969, which is a top designer and maker of cargo securement systems for transportation. It spent $8 million to renovate a 150,000-square-foot facility to add manufacturing capabilities (including assembly lines and new offices) to its existing distribution operations.
It consolidated multiple manufacturing and warehousing locations under one roof and increased Ancra Cargo’s product development, quality control testing and marketing capabilities. The new facility contains a dedicated, multimedia resource center with 16 feet of planogram space, a photo lab and soundproof studio for shooting videos and broadcasting.
Company President Larry Bethel said, “Our new facility in Hebron with its expanded R&D lab, new marketing capabilities and expanded quality control department accelerates our ability to deliver technology for the safer and more efficient transportation of goods.”
Ancra Cargo plans to hire 50 employees, noted Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. CEO Lee Crume.
“Ancra plays a critical role in the supply chain and transportation industries in Northern Kentucky and North America,” he added.
KY Governor Andy Beshear, State Representative Steve Rawlings, Judge/Executive Gary Moore, and Tri-ED President & CEO Lee Crume joined Larry Bethel and the Ancra Cargo team today for a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new Hebron, KY headquarters. https://t.co/drrQArBNu5 pic.twitter.com/N5ouOKiZVD — Ancra Cargo (@AncraCargo) January 31, 2023
Crume also was on hand in December with Beshear to celebrate the new Florence headquarters of Mackenzie and Paige Logistics, a woman-owned logistics provider established in 2011 in Kentucky.
“Just like M&P, my family and I were born and raised in Northern Kentucky. I couldn’t be prouder,” said Kimberly Hall, founder and CEO, adding “we’re delighted to officially open our doors and move into the new year with true momentum.” It invested nearly $4 million and is creating 210 new full-time jobs, including positions for at least 120 Kentucky residents.
In addition to operating dry van and refrigerated transportation, M&P provides specialized options such as white glove deliveries, rail and port drayage, as well as sprinter and box truck expediting. The company has offices in Florida and California.
“Northern Kentucky offers access to more than half of the U.S. population within a day’s drive and a significant talent pool with logistics expertise,” Crume said. “M&P is an excellent example of a company creating good-paying career opportunities in the logistics management and consultant sector.”
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