The strategic advantages of the St. Louis region for global logistics and freight
operations were in the spotlight on June 6 at FreightWeekSTL 2025. Hosted by the St. Louis Regional Freightway, a
virtual panel session featured Zach Wilfley, who discussed the benefits the St. Louis region offers for shippers and
global logistics firm due to the central U.S. location, interstate connectivity, international airport access and
available workforce. Wilfley is the station manager at Allstates WorldCargo.
Allstates WorldCargo is a global freight forwarder and logistics provider with nearly 50 locations nationwide and
offers all modes of transportation, including domestic ground, air and intermodal, in addition to international ocean,
ground and air transportation. The company also offers warehousing and distribution services, including container
devanning. Allstates WorldCargo’s 250,000-square-foot facility in the St. Louis region is located in Hazelwood,
Missouri, overlooking the runways at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Wilfley said the St. Louis region’s central location in the United States enables global logistics companies to utilize a
lot of creative solutions to help ensure customers’ supply chain needs are met. He said the area has the freight
network to support the sector.
“We boast a very solid infrastructure here in St. Louis,” said Wilfley. “We have six Class I railroads, which leads to
extensive rail networks. We have four major interstate highways, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and we
also have one of the largest inland ports in the country on the Mississippi River.”
Wilfley talked about the benefits manufacturers and logistics firms receive due to their proximity to an international
airport and Interstate 70 (I-70), which provides enhanced supply chain connectivity for the region.
“Airports tend to be the center of any logistics hub. Even the ground freight networks typically are located right
around the airports in most cities, due to the efficiencies required to move freight between modes,” said Wilfley. He
added that, in addition to the common carrier LTL networks the company uses, Allstates WorldCargo also heavily
uses an airport-to-airport linehaul network that allows it to move freight easily and efficiently between its air and
ground networks.
“Being close in proximity allows for faster transportation and delivery time, cost efficiencies and quicker access to
larger markets and customer bases,” Wilfley said. “And finally, and maybe most importantly for us, it allows for
operational flexibility and scalability.”
Enhancements to St. Louis Lambert International Airport and improvements on I-70 have the potential to positively
impact logistics and manufacturing firms operating along the corridor, he said. The airport’s $3 billion terminal
expansion will consolidate its two existing terminals into a single, larger terminal with room for more domestic and
international flights. The Missouri Department of Transportation has plans for approximately $175 million in
improvements to the stretch of I-70 that runs from the Missouri River to North Hanley Road, serving the airport. The
project is not yet funded.
“It would be really ideal to see more direct international flights into and out of Lambert and larger planes utilizing
the airport for domestic flights as well. Increasing capacity would lead to reductions in transit time and would
potentially open new markets for our customers to move their products into,” said Wilfley. “Improvements on 70
would also lead to reduced transit times. It would allow for increased capacity to move efficiently into and out of the
airport, and finally would help enhance the safety of the freight we move. Good roads provide a safer transportation
experience for all.”
Wilfley expressed optimism about the region’s continued investment in infrastructure and its alignment with the
needs of logistic providers.
“It’s great to see that the St. Louis region is willing to invest in our community and our infrastructure to help our
area continue to improve and thrive,” Wilfley said.
Wilfley also pointed out the region’s skilled labor pool and affordability as other major assets. He said when he
graduated with his degree in logistics and supply chain management from Missouri State University 15 years ago,
logistics programs were rare in local universities. Now, he said, nearly every school has one, which has been a huge
boost for the company’s talent pipeline. Comparing industrial lease rates, he said the St. Louis region comes in at
approximately $5.37 per square foot versus a national average of $9.35, making it a very cost-effective environment
for growth.
Mary Lamie moderated the virtual panel session. Lamie is head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway and Executive
Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development.
“It’s fascinating to hear directly from a global logistics company about all the advantages to operating here in the St.
Louis region,” said Lamie.
FreightWeekSTL 2025 was held June 2-6. To learn more or view any of the video sessions for FreightWeekSTL 2025,
visit www.freightweekstl.com.
