Manufacturing for the Millennial Generation

are best realized through changes in manufacturers ’ facilities themselves .

Looking for a Greener Pasture Although underappreciated , the location of a manufacturer ’ s facilities plays a key role in determining its environmental impact . Facilities located far from consumer markets incur higher transportation costs to move goods through the supply chain , increasing both the toll on the environment and production expenses . The modes of transportation manufacturers rely on are worth considering too . While

John Lass is a Vice President , Development , at industrial real estate firm CenterPoint Properties .

trucking is often the most viable option for last-mile delivery , it ’ s an expensive choice for long-distance hauls . Trucks consume twelve times the energy to transport an identical shipment as rail , and cost manufacturers more than thirteen times as much in transport fees . Firms looking to save the environment and their pocketbooks are wise to consider relocating closer to population centers and transportation hubs .

But not all manufacturers have the flexibility to locate near their target market ; their audiences may be so widespread that such a move would make little financial or environmental sense . For these organizations , locating their facilities and distribution centers in transportation-advantaged areas is vital to streamlining the shipping process . Rather than relying on a single mode of transportation ,

11