Home > Floripedia > Tampa: National Distribution No Problem	Site Map

Tampa: National Distribution No Problem

Industrial Tampa

1926

For four decades Tampa cigar manufacturers have been distributing their wares to the far corners of America. National distribution from Tampa, therefore, presents no problem. Through a long list of commodities, only eliminating those where great bulk and low retail value enter into the equation, Tampa manufacturers can be efficiently and economically sold to America.

This hinges in large measure on the City’s strategic location on deep water. Ships chartered for bulk and pack freight ply in and out of the harbor regularly. The transport charges to the great Atlantic coast distributing centers are very moderate, the service is excellent and keeps abreast of requirements, and the element of transportation costs can be effectively solved. Just as an instance in point it has been developed that a machine tool retailing at $25 can be laid down in New York from Tampa at 20 cents for carriage, and a fountain pen retailing at $5.00 for one penny.

The statement is made without fear of successful contradiction that a long list of merchandise which the American public buys by the million annually can be manufactured more cheaply at Tampa in relation to the great market centers of the country than in any other American city. Additional evidence of the industrial advantages of Tampa is indicated by the continual increase in volume of traffic originating from the 577 industries here manufacturing 93 different products, and from the existing competition between carriers, making possible favorable rates to practically every portion of the country—through the Panama Canal, to the West Indies and to South American countries.

Source:
"National Distribution No Problem" Industrial Tampa, published by Tampa Board of Trade, 1926.

Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,
College of Education, University of South Florida © 2005.