Westone Logistics

Floor Speech

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, so many of our Nation's small businesses started with nothing more than an idea and the determination to see that idea grow; to see a need and fill it. From a small backyard or garage, small businesses can become the providers of a local solution. From humble beginnings, companies grow and expand to reach new customers and broader regions. I rise today to recognize WestOne Logistics, a small business in my home State of Idaho that has quickly grown from that small, family business into one of the region's leading providers of third-party relocation services.

Founded 8 years ago by Kendra Keim, WestOne Logistics saw the need for highly efficient and reliable logistical services in our region and has striven to provide superior service to local companies. A woman-owned, family-run business, WestOne Logistics is a third-party logistics provider that works with companies to provide part or all of their supply chain management and relocation. This company exemplifies the problem solving and can-do attitude so characteristic of Idaho's small business culture. The team at WestOne Logistics, through efficiency and customization, continues to grow and expand their services. Even through the depths of this recent economic recession, the team at WestOne Logistics has seen an incredible increase in business, growing over 200 percent in revenues in the past 5 years. It is encouraging to see this level of growth in the small businesses of my home State, despite the tumultuous economic landscape.

With an eye for specifics and adaptability for new, specialized products, WestOne Logistics is able to accommodate environment sensitive products in the largest common warehouse in the State of Idaho. Their facilities offer 108,000 square feet of secured, fully sprinkled, climate-controlled space with an additional 70,000 square feet of food-grade warehouse storage space.

Not only is this team dedicated to hard work and quality in their company but they also are active in their community and are always looking for ways to give back. For example, 22 of their 35 total employees are Red Cross ``ready when the time comes'' certified in order to respond to local crises through a corporate partnership program.

WestOne Logistics is another prime example of the hard work and dedication of the small businesses of my home State. It is imperative to our national economy that businesses such as these continue to grow and thrive. I congratulate the team at WestOne Logistics on their success and wish them the best in the future.

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