Distribution
There’s a reason Morris & Dickson—the pharmaceutical industry’s largest independently owned full‑line distributor—has operated successfully in North Louisiana since 1841, grown into one of the nation’s ten largest pharmaceutical distributors, and now serves customers in all 50 states. It is the same reason the e-commerce giant, Amazon, elected to open its most advanced warehouse in its worldwide network in the community. Amazon chose North Louisiana to bring to life the company’s vision for collaborative technology at its three million square foot facility, introducing the company’s largest advancement in robotics and AI technologies deployed in the company’s history.
With easy access to strategic transportation routes, including major interstates, inland ports, and Class-I railroads, companies can move their goods easily. The area is accessible to around 84 million consumers and 81 major cities within a one-day drive. Seven U.S. Highways and two interstates link the region to the rest of the country.
While all six major railroads converge in Louisiana, two Class I railroads serve the region. Union Pacific connects the region to 22 other states and seven border crossings. North Louisiana lies at the heart of the CPKC network, which is the first single-line rail network connecting Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. CPKC’s rail route that originates in Shreveport is the fastest rail route between Dallas and the northeast U.S.
As a US Customs Port of Entry with an active foreign trade zone, distributors can transport goods to and from global markets with ease. Simply put, North Louisiana offers a strategic location, efficient transportation infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a good business climate.
Contact the Expert
Sheena Bryant, CEcD, EDFP
Business Development Strategy Vice President
- Phone: 318-677-2558
- Phone: sbryant@nlep.org
Major Employers
Workforce
As distribution operations become more complex, so do the skills required to operate and maintain this equipment. Regional technical schools churn out skilled labor to support the needs of tomorrow.
Industrial Instrumentation and Electrical Technology offered at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College prepares students to be competent, qualified instrument technicians who can meet the ever-changing demands of modern industry. Programs include training in electrical and electronic technology, basic programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) knowledge and troubleshooting techniques, utilization of measurement sensing devices, control valves, and process control management.
The Bossier Parish Community College Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology provides short-term training with flexible schedules to help you meet your corporate goals. Manufacturing Skills Standard Council’s (MSSC) Certified Logistics Technicians (CLT) demonstrates a mastery of foundational core competencies of material handling at the front-line, a certification beneficial for the entry-level employee to the supervisor.
Our regional technical schools are focused on creating a workforce that has Industrial Readiness, placing emphasis on safety, communications, professionalism, timeliness, emotional intelligence, math in the workplace, and teamwork.
“Amazon is proud to call Shreveport home. When executing on projects of this size and scale, it takes a dedicated team, working side-by-side, to bring these facilities across the finish line. We found that and more within the North Louisiana Economic Partnership.”
Jessica Breaux
Senior Manager, Economic Development, Amazon