Originally founded as a railroad town, Temple, Texas has established itself as a leader in infrastructure, providing businesses an interconnected network of transportation and telecommunications options.
Among the many assets that prove the region to be a resourceful place to do business is its central location. Situated at the crossroads of I-35 and the planned I-14, Temple seamlessly connects businesses to all of Texas, the Southeast U.S., Mexico and beyond. The region offers exceptional infrastructure to support logistics and distribution operations, namely why Temple is considered the “logistics hub” in Central Texas. Plenty of the companies that locate in Temple have invested millions of dollars in new or expanded logistics operations; in fact, $750 billion in goods travel the I-35 corridor through Central Texas each year.
Our region takes pride in offering hands-on training and education to cultivate our highly educated and trained talent pool to ultimately expand our workforce. Playing a major role in this endeavor is our local community college, Temple College, which provides career training programs designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to succeed in the Logistics & Distribution industry. For instance, Commercial Driver’s License Training, along with advanced Freight Broker/Agent Training, are offered at the college to provide students with all of the basics in regards to trucking, freight logistics, and transportation industries.
Additionally, a unique aspect of Temple distribution centers is its diverse workforce, consisting of individuals from all walks of life. This is partly thanks to the McLane Company’s launch of its Warriors to Wheels initiative in 2018, which aims to help transitioning soldiers and veterans advance their experience and begin careers in this thriving industry. McLane is one of the many companies benefiting from Temple’s veteran talent, ultimately aiding the region’s ability to distribute products throughout Texas and the Southeast.
Worthwhile Investments
Given its critical central location among other major markets, it comes as no surprise that Temple is home to significant food, beverage and grocery distribution centers. In addition to household names like Walmart and H-E-B, industry leaders Performance Food Group and the McLane Company also maintain major operations in the conveniently located region. With the presence of such notable employers, it tracks that logistics and distribution talent in Temple surged by 20% between 2007 and 2017 and is expected to continuing growing by another 8.5% by 2022, outpacing national employment growth outlooks.
Investments in new or expanded logistics operations made by major employers have evidently improved their business, and also contributed to Texas’ No. 1 Best State for Business (Chief Executive 2019) accolade. One of the many rewarding investments include Keg 1 O’Neal’s $11 million investment in 2019. “We look forward to a long standing and growing presence in Temple,” said Scott O’Neal, KEG 1 O’Neal president and partner. The venture included the creation of 50 new jobs, nearly doubling the company’s workforce here in Temple.
But that’s not all—McLane also greatly expanded its personnel and brought its total employment in Temple to over 600. This occurred after increasing its investment with an $11 million expansion at both its North Campus and South Campus in 2013. These expansions prove that our region’s assets are worthwhile when it comes to bolstering business in the logistics & distribution field.
Connectivity and Global Gains
Temple’s proximity to other cities in Texas allows companies to capitalize on the region’s interstate connectivity. Just within hours reach are major cities like Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. Plus, no less than six interstates link Central Texas to the rest of the country and Mexico. Doing business in Texas has never been easier thanks to this unmatched connectivity.
The region’s ability to tap into neighboring talent markets grants Temple an enormous advantage, especially on a global scale. Companies requiring global trade and travel benefit from the I-35 corridor. Conveniently located between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, the Temple area provides unbeatable access to domestic and global markets, not only via major interstates, but also through rail & air transport. Temple’s Union Pacific and BNSF rail lines are a critical facet to the infrastructure and carry historical roots that strengthen the region’s logistics and distribution industry. Plus, Temple’s four airports, including two international airports, allows for easy access to global travel. This unbeatable network of transportation ultimately delivers thousands in products and passengers.
Get in touch to learn more about Temple’s position as an accessibility and logistics hub or visit our Key Industry page for more information.