• The University of North Florida (UNF) has partnered with Suddath to launch a new information technology lab at the university to enhance the curriculum for students studying transportation and logistics
• The lab allows students to research and run simulations across a variety of conditions through live-feed data across multimodal transport systems 
• UNF’s Transportation and Logistics program is among the highest-ranked programs of its kind in the country, partially due to the active local shipping economy in Jacksonville

The University of North Florida (UNF) and Suddath have partnered to launch a new Suddath Logistics Information Technology Solutions Lab at the university.

The lab’s technology and design aim to enhance the learning experience of students enrolled in the Transportation and Logistics program while also working to build better preparedness for industry standards.

With the multi-year sponsorship commitment from Suddath to UNF, the lab is equipped with tools and resources that are in use in the industry today, allowing students to engage in more meaningful research.

The lab has the technological capabilities to use simultaneous live-data feeds across multimodal transport systems, including road, rail, sea, and air.

“We are extremely fortunate to partner with The Suddath Companies to offer this new state-of-the-art technology lab within our College’s Transportation and Logistics program,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of UNF’s Coggin College of Business. “The Suddath Logistics Information Technology Solutions Lab will provide students access to real-time data and information relevant to building logistics analytics capabilities.”

Jacksonville, where UNF is located, serves as one of the biggest shipping hubs on the east coast. The lab’s introduction to the university’s curriculum can lead to collaboration between local companies and students to further conduct research and offer professional experience.

UNF’s Transportation and Logistics Flagship program is considered among the best in the nation of its kind, due in part to the active regional economy in supply-chain management and logistics.

According to research from Statista, the third-party logistics (3PL) market is expected to exceed $297 billion U.S. dollars by next year. At the local scale, the Jacksonville Port Authority reports that cargo activity through the Port of Jacksonville generates 138,500 jobs in Florida and supports nearly $31.1 billion in annual economic output for the region and state.

“Suddath is proud to support this initiative, delivering an enhanced learning experience that both inspires and prepares the industry’s future leaders,” notes Michael J. Brannigan, Suddath President and CEO. “Jacksonville is a dynamic and growing multimodal transportation hub, and we’re very pleased to play a part in cultivating – and keeping – the best talent here, with many different roles that offer promising and rewarding careers.”