FAR, YET CLOSE: At the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia, cargo containers from Asia will soon be hauled to Memphis via Canadian National Railway Co. Because of Memphis’ robust transportation network, the city has become a key link on the global supply chain. -- PHOTO BY ERIC SMITH

Memphis’ role in the global supply chain is often underappreciated, but shippers moving auto parts from Yokohama to Yazoo City or electronics from Beijing to Birmingham understand this city’s importance.

Whether it’s the FedEx fleet transferring millions of packages at the hub or countless trains and trucks transporting cargo via area rails and roads, Memphis has become one of the nation’s most critical links for the movement of goods.

Dexter Muller, the Greater Memphis Chamber’s senior vice president for community development and logistics council director, will highlight the city’s position as a leader for the movement of goods at the Dec. 3 meeting of the Mid-South chapter of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), where he will present, “Memphis: Key Link in the Global Supply Chain.” The event will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.

Muller said he hopes to underscore the city’s value proposition, which is based on location and connectivity. These attributes make the city a much bigger player than many might realize.

“I think Memphians tend to think of Memphis as a small town in the scheme of the world marketplace that really doesn’t have that much influence,” Muller said. “The point of my speech is we greatly underestimate the way the world sees us, and the way the business community in the United States sees us.”

Dollop of self-esteem

Muller cited as proof positive the investments major railroads have made and continue to make in the region. In town, Canadian National Railway Co. and CSX Corp. invested millions in the Intermodal Gateway-Memphis at Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park, while BNSF Railway Co. is wrapping up a $200 million expansion of its local yard at Lamar Avenue and Shelby Drive.

Also, Union Pacific Corp. has a major presence across the Mississippi River in Marion, Ark., while Norfolk Southern has announced plans for a massive intermodal terminal in neighboring Rossville.

All of these railroads beefing up their Memphis-area operations has helped the city become the second-most important rail center outside the coasts, behind only Chicago. This is an example of Memphis’ growing role in the global supply chain, but the rail advantage is enhanced by the city’s runway, road and even river assets.

“This is not fabricated. We didn’t have to make this up,” Muller said. “When you see it all, it is so clear. Our message is that Memphis has world-class assets in all four modes of transportation. We use the term quadramodal, and when we say Memphis is quadramodal, not many other cities can say that.”

Muller said Memphis citizens tend to think of themselves as “small potatoes,” but outside the region – and especially outside the country – businesses see how Memphis fits into their business modes because of infrastructure and connectivity. That puts Memphis on a par with much larger cities such as Chicago, Atlanta or Dallas.

“It’s unusual for a city our size to be as important as we are,” Muller said. “I think that’s the big message. When companies look at the amount of square feet that we have in industrial space and the brands and the companies that are here, it’s amazing.”

Call to action

Keith Loveless is director of the Center for Advanced Intermodal Technologies at the University of Memphis and program co-chair for the local CSCMP chapter. He said Muller is the perfect person to discuss the city’s role in the global supply chain because of his familiarity with Memphis’ transportation assets.

“Dexter has that leadership quality that pulls all that into context,” said Loveless, who worked for FedEx before moving to the U of M. “He helps us all stay focused on what our next thing should be … and how we continue to grow the city.”

But, as Loveless pointed out, selling the city isn’t limited to the chamber or the mayor’s office. It’s up to the private sector as well to promote Memphis as a logistics, distribution and transportation hub whose fundamental advantages can bring more business to the city.

That’s where Muller’s words can help motivate professionals in the supply chain and related industries. Loveless said Muller’s lead on touting the city’s benefits can be contagious, further reason for anyone involved in the movement of goods – about a third of Memphis – should hear what he has to say about Memphis and its future.

“Dexter helps us and helps groups like the CSCMP stay focused on this logistics, supply chain and transportation piece,” Loveless said. “I think he has a real knack for that. That contagion is the thing that helps other business come to the call.”