NEWS

ODW Logistics Inc. CEO John Ness recalls an alarming conversation last year with an executive who wanted to make two hires.
Ness questioned a capital expenditure request that was about 10-times the usual amount.

“(He said), ‘John, I know you don’t want to hear this, but we are completely out of room. This is to knock down a wall and turn a supply closet into two more work stations,’ ” Ness recounted. “I said, ‘OK, I’ve had my head in the sand about this haven’t I?’ (We decided) we’re not going to do that—that’s crazy. Let’s really explore the best strategy of how we can create space for our growing company.”

A year later, the Columbus third-party logistics provider has signed a lease to move its headquarters to the historic Buggyworks complex in the Arena District amid an ambitious plan to double revenue by 2020.

ODW will relocate 65 to 70 workers from its operation on the city’s south side, near Obetz, leaving the six-building campus with a little breathing room and 550 employees.

“We’re on an aggressive growth plan. This move is one of the many things we’re doing to realize that mission,” Ness told Columbus Business First in an exclusive interview. “It will allow us to better support the growing business and provide some relief for over-stuffed buildings.”