Logistics and Distribution

With proximity to major markets and a multimodal transportation infrastructure, Ohio is the distribution and logistics choice for many of the nation's largest companies. Ohio is within 600 miles of more than half the U.S. and Canadian populations. It is one of the few states to offer omnichannel access via air, land and water.

Key facts

More than 161,700 employees in Ohio work in logistics and distribution.
Over 760 warehouse and storage establishments are located in Ohio.
Ohio's interstate system includes eight major routes and 6,820 lane miles.
Transportation assets include:
- Eight commercial air carrier airports and 96 general aviation airports
- 10 major rail yards, 13 intermodal railroad terminals and approximately 5,000 miles of rail lines
- Eight ports on Lake Erie (including the only Great Lakes port with regularly scheduled access to Europe), three inland water ports, 16 terminals on the Ohio River, and more than 700 miles of waterways leading to the Gulf of Mexico or St. Lawrence Seaway
- Nine foreign trade zones

National position

Fourth largest interstate system
Fourth largest network of railroads and third largest number of active rail miles
Fourth in number of airports

Major players:

Consumer products with multistate distribution centers in Ohio include Best Buy, Lowe's, Menard's, The Home Depot and Walgreens. Walmart, Ohio's largest private-sector employer, has five distribution centers here.
Amazon, J.C. Penney, Victoria's Secret, Fanatics.com and zulily.com have recently set up e-commerce fulfillment centers in Ohio.
FedEx, DHL and UPS have large operations here.

Top Employers

United Parcel Service (UPS) - 14,425
FedEx - 4,700
Norfolk Southern - 4,200
Deutsche Post AG/DHL Supply Chain - 3,400
CSX - 3,230

Recent trends

E-commerce and automation are changing the logistics industry dramatically. Ohio is well-positioned to help companies integrate online activities with the physical distribution of goods.

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