Driving Innovation: Bay Logistics' Strategic Involvement in The Right Place’s Supply Chain Management Council

West Michigan, renowned for hosting one of the nation’s largest and most diverse manufacturing sectors, has witnessed an impressive job growth rate of 29.1% from 2011-2020, surpassing the national average of 7.6%. With a thriving hub of manufacturing businesses in the automotive, office furniture, aerospace, and food processing, including 130+ international manufacturing companies, the region embodies innovation in advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

The Grand Rapids Metro Area is the beating heart of West Michigan, and proudly houses the Corporate Headquarters of Bay Logistics and its affiliated firm, Martin Transportation Systems.

In a strategic move, Bay Logistics has recently appointed Jon Swart, Vice President of Operations, and Kyle Haan, Business Development Manager, to The Right Place Supply Chain Management Council (SCMC). This appointment marks an exciting opportunity for Bay Logistics to contribute its experiences, strengths, and aspirations to the collective analysis of local trends, and engage with other SCMC members who share similar challenges and opportunities.

Leveraging a rich history of successful partnerships over the past 50 years, Bay Logistics and Martin Transportation Systems have played pivotal roles in the transportation and logistics industry. The appointment to the SCMC signifies their commitment to sharing valuable insights, garnered through decades of navigating the industry’s highs and lows.

Bay Logistics has significantly invested in the West Michigan community, with recent ventures including a new Marine Division with four completely renovated boat marinas, a 210,000 SF temperature-controlled distribution center in Coopersville, and enhancements to their Corporate Offices in Byron Center. With over 2,200 people across their divisions, the company envisions continued growth.

Today’s fractured international supply chain has significantly altered the way North American manufacturers conduct business. Yesterday’s domestic JIT replenishment strategies have become obsolete, not taking into consideration risks associated with delayed seaport shipments, semiconductor chip shortages, pandemic outbreaks, and other unpredictable global events.

Companies have been forced to adapt new production models: partially building products while waiting for the arrival of other parts to complete a module; building domestic banks of parts to protect future production; and pulling offshore component part production back to the US and North America. Stockpiling inbound materials has become so commonplace that the national vacancy rate for commercial warehouse and distribution properties dropped to 3.9% at the end of 2022.

Overcoming the trials and tribulations of today’s global supply chain will require extensive collaboration and networking. The sharing of ideas and strategies with colleagues from the Supply Chain Management Council will undoubtedly help all parties involved to un-muddy the turbulent waters of the 21st century supply chain. New alliances will facilitate growth and improve the overall business climate in West Michigan and beyond!

The Bay Logistics Management Team believes in West Michigan! The region’s hardworking people, solid sense of community, and alluring natural resources are harbingers of a prosperous and illustrious future. Mankind’s symbiotic relationship with nature is becoming increasingly apparent –intertwined and interdependent. Combining forces with the other members of the Supply Chain Management Council will bestow upon the group the wisdom, fortitude, and forcefulness necessary for responsibly developing the economy, while steadfastly protecting the environment.

Kurt Cuncannan, COO

Bay Logistics