Shipper expands regional center

C.H. Robinson, among the nation’s largest third-party logistics companies, is expanding its regional shipping operation at Columbia Business Center in Vancouver.

The company will relocate its cargo consolidation warehouse to an 80,000-square-foot building nearing completion on Columbia Way inside the Vancouver business park. The new, larger facility will allow for more efficient management and consolidation of cargo being shipped through third-party carriers throughout the region from Seattle to Eugene, Ore., said Todd Ortman, regional general manager for the business.

The new $4.5 million building is being constructed for C.H. Robinson by Killian Pacific of Vancouver, owner of Columbian Business Center.

Worldwide reach

C.H. Robinson operates 218 offices worldwide and employs 7,300 workers. Last year, the Minnesota-based company reported revenue of $7.3 billion in 2007. The company is publicly traded on the Nasdaq exchange with the stock symbol CHRW.

Ortman said C.H. Robinson expects to relocate its warehouse-cargo consolidation business to the new location in January.

“This will give us a lot more flexibility and efficiency,” Ortman said. “We are getting a 70 percent increase in space from our current location, but will gain an estimated 250 percent increase in efficiency” because of the building design.

C.H. Robinson will continue to operate a regional administrative office at Columbia Tech Center in east Vancouver, where 54 people work as brokers, account managers and support staff. Warehouse employment at CBC will likely increase from five to 10 people over the next several years as business grows, said Ortman.

The operation handles about 40 to 50 trucks a day and contracts with most major trucking companies.

The majority of C.H. Robinson corporate revenues come from providing truck, rail, ocean, and air transportation throughout the world. Sourcing and information services are also important components of the business.