XPO opens new hubs ahead of holiday shopping season

The eight new last-mile distribution hubs are part of the transportation and logistics provider’s plan to expand its last-mile footprint to 85 hubs by late 2018.    XPO Logistics opened eight new last-mile distribution hubs ahead of the holiday shopping season, with new facilities now in Birmingham, Ala.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Milwaukee, Wisc.; Savannah, Ga.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Washington, D.C.
   XPO’s North American last mile network now includes 53 hubs, which facilitate the movement of heavy goods from retailers and e-commerce companies to households and businesses and perform value-added services such as the inspection, repair and pre-assembly of goods in preparation for delivery, the company said in a statement.
   The hubs are part of the company’s previously announced plans to expand its last mile footprint to 85 hubs by late 2018. XPO is the largest last mile logistics provider for heavy goods in North America, facilitating over 13 million deliveries a year, it said.
   “We’re anticipating strong demand this holiday season, as more people are purchasing heavy goods online. Our last mile expansion is directly related to the rapid growth of e-commerce and omnichannel retail,” said Troy Cooper, chief operating officer of XPO Logistics. “The scale of our network speeds fulfillment, while our technology gives retailers, e-tailers and consumers control over the shopping experience. These are critical components of ensuring consumer satisfaction with digital purchases.”
   XPO Logistics also recently announced it decision to hire 6,000 seasonal workers for the expected heavy demand this holiday season.