Jacksonville-based Crowley playing critical role in helping country recover

Jacksonville, FL — They’re the essential workers many of us don’t often hear about but without them the supply chain would crumble.

It’s a 24/7 365 business in a normal year but during a crisis, it seems, shipping companies are on over-drive.

That’s been the case for Crowley the past two months.

Sal Menoyo, Crowley Logistics Vice President for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean said his division recently shipped fresh produce from Puerto Rico, through Jacksonville and right into hard-hit New York City.

“We heard there was a lot of people with a lot of smiles when this container with fresh food arrived for the people in need,” said Menoyo.

The pandemic has stressed supply chains around the world, but the need doesn’t go away.

Through government contracts, Crowley has been able to supply military personnel with meals ready to eat and medical supplies.

“We’ve delivered over 20 million MREs or meals ready to eat for military or civilian use over 2 million units of either masks or gowns face shields all around the country,” Patrick Wallace, Crowley’s Vice President for Government Supply Chain.

Much of the food ends up at food pantries and churches becoming a critical lifeline for vulnerable populations.

“We’re continuing on a daily basis to support the Department of Defense efforts as well as supporting other local states and governments

And it’s not just meals or personal protective equipment that are being hauled all over the country in containers, but the shipments also include breathing apparatuses, batteries, and hand sanitizers.

Like many companies, Crowley is also trying to figure out what the future will look like.

Ninety-five percent of its workforce is working from home, but Wallace said that hasn’t stopped them from delivering much-needed supplies.

“I think what you’ve seen is the resiliency of the supply chain overall and when asked to do things we can do them,” Wallace said.