Flexing Our Assets with an FTZ Advantage

A ramp up in production prompted a global supplier of advanced automotive systems to take urgent action. Their Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) footprint in the Southeast, near Inland Port Greer in South Carolina, was quickly consumed by manufacturing needs. Meanwhile, new inventory stacked up at the port daily, and the threat of costly demurrage charges crept closer with every passing hour.

The motivation to continuously and seamlessly meet the demands of their high-profile client, a manufacturer of premium automobiles, exacerbated the already rising pressure. With tariff talk dominating industry conversation, the competition for bringing new space into FTZ compliance was fierce and time was a commodity in short supply.

Fortunately, the supplier had history on their side. Having previously worked with Total Distribution, Inc., the prospective client was keenly aware of the capabilities and expertise this third-party logistics partner offered to Tier-one suppliers in Greenville, Spartanburg, and the surrounding areas. It was time to rekindle the relationship and together explore a solution.

Enter Total Distribution, Inc. (TDI), operating over 310,000 square feet of warehousing with an active FTZ in Greer, SC. Together, the prospect and TDI team mapped out a rapid-response strategy:

On-site FTZ extension to accommodate incoming inventory
Custom racking installation tailored to product specs
Drayage coordination to move goods swiftly from port to warehouse
Fleet support from TDI’s Greer-based trucks for seamless transport

As headlines drove demand for FTZ space, agility became non-negotiable. Delivering specialized solutions meant tapping into deep expertise, long standing relationships, and operational muscle. In anticipation of our new partner’s grand arrival, it was all hands-on deck.

Our Sales and Operations teams, backed by brilliant FTZ consultants, sprang into action, combining strategic insights, forklifts, and a few trucks from our own fleet to make it happen. The result? A smooth transition, a strengthened partnership, and a powerful reminder of what is possible when logistics meets leadership.