For Scott Jackson, the decision to get into the trucking and construction business was an easy one.
“I’ve always loved big trucks and machinery. I grew up around them, and to this day, I love building trucks and seeing the final product of hard work,” Jackson stated.
This passion is also why the Norco native decided to start Jackson Industries, a trucking company based out of Laplace, after earning an Associate’s Degree from Delgado Community College. From humble beginnings, Jackson Industries has grown to become one of the Port of South Louisiana’s go-to trucking contractors.
“We started out hauling river sand and aggregates before we got into flatbeds and lowboys,” Jackson said.
The success of Jackson Industries is directly related to their work ethic and commitment to the satisfaction of their customers. This commitment has led them to become a major transporter for the Port’s Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, a 335-acre (135-hectare) maritime industrial park. In fact, the vast majority of their work takes place at the Port-owned public terminal, under the operation of Associated Terminals, an established leader in the operations and logistics industry.
The Globalplex Intermodal Terminal is a world-class shipping terminal designed for both vessels and barges. With storage and warehousing space for light manufacturing, they provide handling services and storage for bulk, breakbulk and containerized cargos. In addition to their services, their location within the Port of South Louisiana is perfect for light manufacturing, distribution and logistics companies.
Despite the monumental physical and economical scale of the Globalplex terminal, the local and family-owned Jackson Industries continues to be one of the main trucking companies the complex relies on.
A CONTINUING COMMITMENT
There’s a reason Jackson Industries keeps getting the call from Associated Terminals.
“We try to give 100% whenever they call,” Jackson said.
His company has forged a successful business relationship with both the Port and Associated Terminals, as evidenced by their reliance on Jackson Industries for their shipping needs. “They’re one of the best companies we’ve ever worked with. As long as they keep calling, we’ll keep answering.”
Though Jackson Industries started as a small trucking company hauling sand, they paid attention to the changing needs of the market and transitioned their business model to include flatbeds and lowboys, which landed them new (and big) customers like the Port of South Louisiana.
This forward-looking vision has served them well and is a valuable asset not only to Jackson Industries but to the future of the Port and the Globalplex terminal. The former sugar refining complex has grown to become an integral part of the economic and social history of the entire region. The success of the terminal and the Port of South Louisiana will lead to the success of the lower Mississippi River valley region.
With a redevelopment initiative that is guided by a master plan focused on the constantly changing needs of today’s shipping and manufacturing industry, Globalplex’s focus is on flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability. These attributes fit right into the model and proven values of Jackson Industries. The future of the Globalplex terminal is bright, and Jackson Industries fits right into their vision.
Focus on the Family and the Future
Through all of their growth, successes and struggles over the years, Jackson Industries has managed to not only survive, but to thrive.
“We’ve managed to stand the test of time. No matter how impossible or difficult things got, we stayed focused and overcame our problems,” Jackson said.
Jackson instilled his work ethic and business philosophy into his two sons, who also work with him at Jackson Industries.
“It was always important to me that our word and name would be good in the community and with the businesses that we deal with,” he stated.
Jackson also understands that commitment and hard work does not mean that a business or a business owner should blindly adhere to a strict business model. On the contrary, Jackson Industries is always looking to expand their operations to meet the demands of the market. In addition to their main customer, the Port of South Louisiana, they’ve also managed to pick up local contracts.
“We’ve worked on various local projects when we’re not working at the Port of South Louisiana, like Pin Oak and the Marathon expansion project back in 2008, the recent Valero expansion, and the new airport in Kenner.”
With their proven experience, quality of services, and rapport with their existing customer base, it’s no wonder their services are sought out by companies and facilities in the region.
Having established Jackson Industries as a leader in the local trucking market, Scott Jackson has turned his attention to the future — which is why he turned operations of the company over to his son, Jason.
“It’s a great feeling to see and work with my sons and to be able to teach them some of the stuff I learned.”
Scott Jackson is proud of what he’s built and what his family has accomplished, but he remains humble. A family man through and through, he’s built a successful company that benefits and supports the operations at the Port of South Louisiana and the surrounding region, and he’s managed to keep it all in the family.