Chicago, the city of fortune, is located in the heart of the country. Many aspects make this city unique, including a booming population, thriving manufacturing industry, and of course its famous Lake Michigan. Chicago is a city unlike any other for starting a small business or a startup.
Furthermore, it is the birthplace of modern development in the finance movement. So, we can say Chicago has contributed a lot to the development of the manufacturing industry which comprises a huge share associated with warehousing.
The warehouse business is the mainstream business that has upheld Chicago and brought it where it is today. Due to these reasons, it is a city that naturally attracts businesses that orbit production, storage, and manufacturing cultures.
Other than the above-mentioned facts, today, we will illuminate some secrets which have made warehousing successful in Chicago.
Transportation
Transportation is the key in any supply chain management. To go from Point A to Point B is the soul of operation in this business. Chicago covers these transportation needs and makes warehousing successful in Chicago.
Distribution of goods by trucks is catered by interstate highways, bulk freight is catered by Chicago railroads, and Air orders are distributed by airports such as Gary Airport.
Location
Location is integral in establishing a business. At the root of any business, lies the operation of order fulfillment. The formula is simple. The less an order has to travel, the cheaper its distribution cost. Chicago is somewhat centrally located in the US, thus acting as an effective distribution hub.
Its transportation is an invaluable asset and it is closer to the major markets of the country. Thus, its location combined with its transportation facilities makes it a fortune maker for businesses such as warehousing and drop shipping.
Labor Availability
Due to Chicago’s act as a distributor hub for the country. Its labor has valuable experience in order fulfillment and operation handling. Due to warehouse automation, many operations have reduced the need for excessive labor.
This phenomenon and the low living costs of Chicago have helped warehouses to induce skilled labor at cheap rates while staying competitive in the market.
Quality of life
Relocating an employee in warehousing is always a challenge. Especially if the culture of life in that area is not attractive. So, successful warehousing also depends upon the quality of life the job has to offer.
Fortunately, Chicago is a cultural hub for life to prevail in a modern manner. Should you relocate an employee, it is likely easier to convince him to Chicago than for a less attractive area.
Proximity to agriculture
Warehousing in Chicago is leveraging the opportunities its neighbor Illinois has to offer which is an agriculture giant with a sale of $180 billion in processed food sales.
Warehouses in Chicago can get their hands on high-quality processed food which is then dispatched to the booming fine-dine industry.
Lean Warehousing
Lean warehousing is a collection of practices that helps in achieving an efficient warehouse workflow.
Due to the above-discussed incentives, lean warehousing is being implemented which is one of the great secrets of successful warehousing in Chicago.
Warehouses are now able to mitigate expensive labor, overproduction, slow transportation, and overprocessing which must be implemented to mitigate slow growth.
Use of WMS
Any business in this modern-day age will perish if the associated technology to help a business run is not installed. This applies to warehousing as well. Without an automated and state-of-the-art management system. The warehousing business can not be stabilized after a certain stage of production.
Thus, Chicago has Tech houses that are offering warehouse management systems (WMS) that record and monitor the activities of every department in the warehouse. WMS is now a key player in the success of warehousing.
Business identification and Advertisement
The City of Chicago is offering plans for business advertisement, especially in manufacturing and warehousing. The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) of Chicago is approving applications for publishing Advertising signs.
This advertisement is a tonic warehousing business to flourish all over Chicago and in its neighbors.
Special Service Area Program (SSA)
Special Service Areas, known as Business Improvement Districts or BIDs, are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs. These programs are helping all businesses grow and spread out in special areas which are monitored and funded according to the business needs of the city.
Warehousing entrepreneurs or startups can leverage these service areas to establish themselves with a strong footing.
The Small business improvement fund (ISBF)
ISBF allocates grant funding for building improvements and repairs in the City of Chicago. This funding is offered to business owners and tenants of commercial properties. The participants can get a grant between 30 to 90 percent of the remodeling work which is not to be repaid.
This is a great opportunity that warehouse owners can take advantage of and establish a successful warehouse business.
Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI)
This agency provides assistance to businesses with the purpose of retaining businesses in the City and supporting Industrial Corridors. LIRI agencies do a business analysis and provide support and counseling for a variety of businesses including manufacturing and warehousing and resolve any business issues.
These plans and development projects by the City of Chicago are helping every manufacturer and warehouse facility to establish a self-sufficient and productive business.
Conclusion
All of the above-mentioned points, project the reasons for the success of the warehousing business in the City of Chicago.
These secrets are a pipeline of steps that have enabled an automated yet stable, progressive, and productive business of warehouses in the city of Chicago making both the customer, producer, employer, and employee happy and satisfied.
So, we can say, the City of Chicago is a manifestation of a long business development cycle that has been continuously producing some good fortune for its people and the industry.
