The Logistics Industry
If the continuing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted anything, it’s the importance of the logistics industry. 2020 was a year that put the spotlight on truck drivers, those committed men and women dedicated to delivering the goods necessary to our lives. We experienced firsthand how important transportation and distribution is to our daily lives when the shelves were empty of toilet paper, food staples, and essential medical supplies.
In a world where we had come to expect orders to arrive on our doorsteps within 24 hours, we learned to expect delays. For months things were slow for a variety of reasons including shutdowns, illnesses and absences, as well as, staffing and equipment shortages. The logistics industry was in the news, and still is as the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines is now underway.
Challenging Jobs and Excellent Opportunities
2020 was a year of big changes, but here’s something that COVID-19 didn’t change in the logistics sector–the challenging, exciting jobs available to folks who enjoy solid employment and desire the opportunity to grow. In fact, a recent article on Forbes.com asserts that “logisticians populate almost every field, from retail to finance to government. In the private sector, they handle shipping, distribution, warehousing and quick deliveries to customers.” The article goes on to list five reasons a career in logistics can provide “security, stability and opportunities” that include career progression, the opportunity to learn new technologies, and dynamic and interesting work.
Logistics Boom in the Lehigh Valley
Here at Blue Eagle Logistics, we are proud to be located in the Lehigh Valley where the distribution and transportation industry has seen a significant boom. Supply chain experts designate our region as THE location for servicing their goods into the Northeast United States.
Today’s distribution and warehousing industry is providing a wealth of challenging and well-compensated careers, especially for those who favor physical employment, preferring to work with their hands and/or equipment to being stranded in a cubicle for 8-10 hours a day.
The Lehigh Valley is well-known as one of the fastest-growing transportation hubs in the United States. According to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, new distribution centers added 40 million new square feet in the last seven years creating and supporting 34,000 good jobs. Traditionally, warehousing solutions create excellent paying jobs for drivers, warehouse equipment operators, administrative staff, and managers. But there’s lots to look forward to as the next generation of warehousing involves sophisticated sorting, racking, and conveyor systems requiring technically proficient operators skilled in robotics, mechanics, and programming.
Too often we romanticize the old days of manufacturing here in Pennsylvania. Yes, we’re talking about the mills. Does anyone really want to go back to the hot, dirty, and dangerous environment of these workplaces? Many modern distribution centers are as clean and brightly lit as a hospital and offer opportunities to workers with a wide range of skills and abilities. The industry is especially open to underserved citizens–unable to obtain a higher education–looking for job opportunities that will give them, and their families, a step up.
Blue Eagle Logistics: Good Jobs, Good People
The logistics industry is a great place to start. Here at Blue Eagle Logistics, we are always on the lookout for motivated, career-minded individuals who desire the challenging and exciting opportunities we can offer in freight transportation and warehousing. As the Lehigh Valley continues to grow, we expect added stability for those seeking long-term employment and growth opportunities in the coming years.
Working in logistics is rewarding. We help move the goods important in people’s lives. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic reminded all of us just how important it is to keep America moving. We can’t do it without the dedicated men and women who work in the logistics sector. They play a critical role in our nation’s success, and that feels pretty good.