Averitt heralds Middle Tenn.-based expansion initiatives

Cookeville, Tenn.-based freight transportation and logistics services provider Averitt Express said this week it has taken steps to upgrade three of its Middle Tenn.-area facilities.

These efforts include:

• the completion of extensive renovations for its Nashville-area service center, which is comprised of 42 acres,  510 truck parking spaces and 162 dock doors, 190 drivers and more than 300 associates, with the following renovations: modernized building exterior and grounds, renovated and updated office and dock space, added LED lighting for improved safety and sustainability, new restrooms, replaced fencing for improved security and appearance, expanded and upgraded all parking for both associate and operational needs, new drive-through wash bay and upgraded fuel bays, upgraded security system throughout property, and preventive maintenance locker room;
• the relocation of its Nashville-area Distribution & Fulfillment operation into a new facility located at Central Logistics Park East on Hixson Blvd. in Lebanon, with this new location featuring approximately 280,000 square feet of enclosed freight storage and inventory management space. Strategically located off Interstate 840, which Averitt said is a vital corridor in Middle Tennessee, Averitt said this facility positions the company at the forefront of Nashville's role as a major distribution hub, adding that businesses can leverage the extensive space for quick regional deliveries and seamless distribution throughout North America; and
• moving its On Tour Logistics operation into a 90,000 square feet warehouse, located at 2 Dell Parkway in Nashville, which previously housed the company's Distribution and Fulfillment operation.  Averitt said its expertise in On Tour Logistics takes center stage in Nashville, catering to the unique logistics needs of different events and the entertainment industry. The On Tour Logistics warehouse, located adjacent to the Nashville International Airport (BNA), supports events like the Country Music Awards (CMAs) and provides secure, specialized storage for artists' gear and production equipment

Averitt Marketing and Communications Manager Brad Brown told LM that the company’s expansion in Nashville is part of an ongoing effort to invest in its facility infrastructure to demonstrate its commitment to its customers, its associates and its future, adding that Averitt wants to be on the leading edge when it comes to technology, equipment and facilities.

“Nashville has long been a primary market of service for Averitt,” said Brown. “Our team has serviced the area for over 50 years, and our headquarters is just down the road in Cookeville. Over the past decade, the population and economy of Nashville have grown considerably. With that growth, the transportation and logistics needs of our customers and the businesses in the area have also increased and diversified. If you look into the nature of our expansion, you will quickly see that diversification is an underlying theme.  

What’s more, he said that the company’s service center in Nashville is critical to its traditional freight operations in the market and beyond.

“The sheer size of the facility and grounds is not only an investment for our company, but also an investment for the transportation infrastructure of the region,” Brown explained. “With the growth being seen in Nashville and Middle Tennessee, we, and the market for that matter, need the space and power to handle the increasing volume of LTL and FTL freight that is moving in and out of the area.”

As for the key benefits of these initiatives for Averitt's shipper customers, Brown said that Averitt’ customers have access to a wide array of solutions and the infrastructure to support them at every turn. 

“Our new Nashville Distribution and Fulfillment Center demonstrates our ‘Power of One’ approach to providing shippers a one-stop source for all their logistics and transportation needs,” he said. “This new facility is much more than a distribution center. It’s the epicenter of what a true end-to-end supply chain solution can look like. Averitt consists of five unique service units – with Averitt Distribution and Fulfillment (ADF) being one. The Nashville location is one of over 40 facilities within our ADF network that features more than 3 million square feet of enclosed space. From our ADF location in Nashville, we can tie in all of our services, ranging from international forwarding and drayage to dedicated fleets and residential final mile delivery. This allows us to provide a customized strategy and solution that streamlines supply chains, increases velocity to market, and delivers unparalleled efficiencies.

There’s a reason why Nashville is called ‘Music City.’ The city is home to many record labels, recording studios, touring musicians, and businesses that support events, including lighting and sound companies. Our On Tour Logistics service is dedicated to supporting the transportation and logistics needs of the events and entertainment industry. Our new warehouse is just another way that we can help our customers simplify the logistics of their operations so they can focus on recording great music and entertaining audiences around the nation without delay. 

Averitt has 325 employees working in its Nashville LTL service center, with 17 in its Distribution and Fulfillment operation, and 123 in its On Tour Logistics location.