The Puget Sound region in Washington state is home to one of the strongest logistics networks across the globe. Many large companies have chosen to establish warehouses and other facilities in the Puget Sound area because of its prime location and plentiful employment opportunities. What are some of the unique features that make the Puget Sound industrial distribution market so successful?
1. Location
The Puget Sound is strategically located in an area that facilitates the efficient transportation of goods by sea, air, and land. The Sound is central to both the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle, and the SeaTac airport, a central hub for international air transportation, is located just north of the region. With a highway system that extends to both coasts of the United States as well as Canada and Mexico, and access to major railroad systems, the area also boasts many options for transportation via land.
2. Workforce
The population of the Puget Sound region is large and constantly growing, which means businesses will have a large pool to choose from when hiring employees and managers to work in their distribution centers. With hundreds of warehouses and distribution centers across Washington, more than 40% of all jobs in the state are connected to the distribution industry.
3. Low Operating Costs
The prime location of the Puget Sound distribution market makes transporting goods easier and more efficient, which leads to less transportation costs. Additionally, Washington state does not charge corporate income tax, or sales or use tax on machinery or equipment used in manufacturing operations, which also significantly cuts operating costs for many companies.
4. Facilities
Developers in the Puget Sound region are constantly constructing new buildings, and there is an abundance of land in the area waiting to be developed. As of 2021, there was 11.7 million square feet of industrial space under construction. This gives businesses lots of options when selecting locations for warehouses and other facilities, and it also provides opportunity for future expansion.
5. Community Life
The Puget Sound region boasts great communities for both businesses and individuals. With the perfect balance of city life and nature, as well as many great schools, restaurants, and a diverse population, the Sound has much to offer for both businesses, as well as individuals and families.
The distribution network of the Puget Sound is one of the strongest global networks in the logistics industry, for a variety of reasons. Features like low operating costs, a strong workforce, and a prime location have attracted many corporations to the Puget Sound, and have played a huge role in the success of the market. With a growing population and the ongoing construction of new facilities, the Puget Sound industrial distribution market is poised to continue on its path of growth and success for many years to come.
To read more about the Puget Sound industrial distribution market, check out these reports by Newmark Group and the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County.
