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Toyota Auto Distribution Expands at Port of Portland by Staff Logistics Management, May 31, 2007

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Port of Portland, one of the West Coast's busiest automobile ports, announced the groundbreaking of Toyota's $6.5 million, 30,000-square-foot distribution center expansion at its Terminal 4 facility.

To accommodate the increase in auto volumes arriving through Portland, the Port granted a five-year lease amendment to Toyota in September of 2006 for an additional 15 acres adjacent to its existing auto-handling facility, bringing the total to 110 leased acres.

"Portland provides easy access to interstate freeways and rail lines," said Sam Ruda, director of marine and industrial development for the Port of Portland. "Our connectivity with these major transportation systems is a major selling point for companies looking to distribute autos from coast to coast and in between."

In 2006, the Port of Portland witnessed record automobile movements. More than 436,000 new cars, including Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, came through the Port, a 31 percent increase from the previous year.

"Portland is a prime location for our distribution efforts, which span the nation," said Ron Corbin, Toyota's Portland logistics services manager. "Our new facility doubles our building space footprint enabling us to efficiently distribute cars to dealers in 31 states."

Toyota has been operating at the Port of Portland since 1976 and currently employs about 230 workers at the Port with living wage salaries. An additional 50 employees will be added over the next two years to staff the expanded facility.

In addition to Toyota's expansion, the Port of Portland recently upgraded and modernized dock facilities to accommodate Honda's increasing volumes. Improvements that strengthen its dock and add moorage to accommodate larger ships will allow the company to continue to grow its operations. Honda distributes to over 40 states via Portland, all the way to the East Coast.