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BREAKING: Backhaul Direct plans expansion, 325 new jobs

 IBJ Staff
January 20, 2011
Keywords
Backhaul Direct, Distribution & Logistics, Expansion, Job Creation, Private Companies, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
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Indianapolis logistics firm Backhaul Direct LLC will invest $1.7 million to grow its downtown operation, adding nearly 325 new jobs over the next four years.

State officials announced the expansion plans Thursday morning.

Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered the company as much as $2 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $75,000 in training grants based on the job-creation plans. The city will consider an additional property tax abatement at the request of Develop Indy.

Backhaul Direct now employs about 70 at its 1 Virginia Ave. headquarters, where it intends to lease additional space.

It ranked 13th last year on IBJ’s list of fastest-growing private companies, reporting revenue of more than $18.9 million in 2009, up from $9.4 million in 2007.

Founded in 2004, the company manages transportation and distribution of freight across the United States and overseas—connecting customers who have products to ship with carriers that can deliver it. In 2009, the firm launched BD Managed Services, a subsidiary that manages IT and telecommunications services for companies in the logistics industry.

The company said it will begin hiring customer service, information technology, sales and management positions immediately.

"Backhaul Direct chose to remain in Indiana because of the strong support and commitment from the state of Indiana and city of Indianapolis," Chief Operating Officer Nick Hoagland said in a prepared statement. "Over the past six years, our business has seen tremendous growth because of our great Hoosier work force and the advantages and cost savings that Indianapolis and Indiana have to offer."

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  • ??
    VendorApril 16, 2011 10:51 AM
    It would be nice if it would pay its vendors on time- I am currently sitting on an invoice for around $500 and it is currently at 55 days. Nice write up but maybe the money would be better spent with someone that is at least current with there obligations.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • HR Executive
    Terry L dawsonJanuary 20, 2011 3:03 PM
    It would be nice, if one of the missions of IBJ, would be to provide that performance based evidence, the public economic benefit data, as captured from the sports and corporate state cash, incentives and infusions! I mean they have the talent their, and the objectivity, Thundermutt raises the right questions, but is that factual?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Really Really
    wise oneJanuary 20, 2011 10:58 AM
    Unfortunately, you assume a lot! It's a great risk when the city invest funds with companies. Usually, companies have low retention rates (after benefits - stats go both ways), but at least its performance based, which is seriously needs to be reemphasized for Mr. Jim there. PERFORMANCE BASED something the libraries can't say, educatiion - heck no for more reasons than I care to write right now, and Police are you serious. 2010 was a disgrace for them and the good ol' boys walked scott free.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Really?
    thundermuttJanuary 20, 2011 9:06 AM
    How much income and sales tax do you think is generated by 325 employees making an average of $50,000 each? Those taxes pay for schools, libraries, police, fire, and infrastructure.

    Answer:
    State income tax, around $450K/yr
    City income tax, around $200K/yr
    Sales taxes, around $500K/yr

    Total over $1 million/year.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Corporate Welfare
    JimJanuary 20, 2011 8:11 AM
    While we give away 2 million dollars to another company as corporate welfare, with promises of tax abatements, the city is underfunding its schools, libraries, police, fire, and infrastructure.
    Ans when the company has grown, and then decides that unless they continue to receive more incentives, they will move their operations to another location, or even out of the country.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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  1. First, the Athenaeum is going to have to get past the hurdle with the Lockerbie residents and the agreement that the parcel would be residential. Second, and in my opinion, this prime piece of property should include parking, PLUS, a black box theater(s), some market rate and affordable artist housing and a plan to renovate and reconfigure the second story theater. I would negotiate to add the DeHaan property surface parking lot into the development mix, place a one story surface parking garage on the DeHaan lot on the street level (for the Dehaan tenants use during the daytime) and add a second story to the garage that would become an addition to the current second story theater and then change the direction of the theater by moving the stage across the alley and on top of the DeHaan lot parking. You can add all the stage elements that are currently missing from the Athenaeum stage to make it more attractive for use by Ballet, Opera and traveling productions. Plus, the theater changes would probably help solve some of the soundproofing issues. Alas,it does not seem to be a part of the strategic plan to conduct a study to determine best use of the property. Seems like the current plan is a quick and easy move that ignores the property best use/potential and any strategic property planning for the effect on future generations.

  2. I recall that MSA's pilings are still in the ground and hard to remove. It’s not likely any proposal will include significant underground construction/parking because of this. Start adding 2 floors of retail, 8 floors of parking and 5-10 floors of possible hotel, and/or 10-20 floors of residential, and you are at 30 floors already with possible expansion of all the uses. But then again I could be wrong.

  3. Accoriding to their website there is no deadline to the Do Not Call list. What is this article referring to??

  4. On what planet are they entitled to this largesse from the stockholders? These people make multi-million dollar salaries: Pay for your own personal travel.

  5. It matters because they're already paid enormously fat salaries: Pay for your own personal travel. Being "taxed on it" isn't a valid excuse--so what? They're still being gifted a raft of luxury perks from somebody else's money on top of an enormous, lavish salary.

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