Logistics startup logs diverse investors

Mar 9, 2010 — The Indianapolis Star

Bruce C. Smith

Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Global wireless distributor Brightpoint and a who's-who list of private investors have joined forces to launch s2f Worldwide, a logistics and distribution company that could hire up to 250 workers in Plainfield by 2013.

The startup provider of supply chain management services announced plans Monday to lease more than 200,000 square feet with an option for the rest of a 480,000-square-foot building developed by Opus North.

To be located at 2675 Reeves Road, the new company has just 10 employees so far, but the plan is to ramp up to 100 by the end of this year and continue to grow, said President and Chief Executive Randall J. Lewis.

"Plainfield is an excellent location for s2f because of the proximity to (Indianapolis International Airport) and the surrounding highway system. Plainfield's infrastructure makes it ideal," Lewis said.

The company will invest up to $10.8 million to lease and equip the facility. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered up to $2 million in performance-based income tax credits and $45,000 in job training grants based on the company's creation of jobs.

Lewis declined to name any customers for its services but said talks are under way to handle logistics and distribution for companies in the automotive, life sciences, telecommunications and retail sectors.

A key for the company's prospects in a highly competitive transportation and warehousing industry may be that it is one of the few that can claim to be minority-owned because of the source of a majority of the startup funding that comes from:

Indianapolis Ice Miller attorney and airport board member Lacy Johnson.

Frank White Jr., Washington, who started an information technology company focused on the intelligence community.

Earl Scott, the founder of Dynis, an eastern U.S. network and telecommunications infrastructure company.

Lewis, who has 25 years of management and finance experience with GE (NYSE:GE) , Wells Fargo and (NYSE:WFC) most recently as executive vice president of WellPoint. (NYSE:WLP)

The new company also draws on funding or expertise from:

Stephen C. Hilbert, the founder and former president of insurer Conseco.

Michael S. Maurer, local entrepreneur and publisher.

Stephen H. Simon, Simon Equity Partners managing director, member of Indiana Pacers board and formerly a developer with Simon Property Group. (NYSE:SPG PRJ) (NYSE:SPG PRF) (NYSE:SPG PRG) (NYSE:SPG PRI) (NYSE:SPG)

Jack Binion, casino entrepreneur and chairman of Blizzard Management private investment company, who sold Horseshoe Gaming in Las Vegas in 2004 in one of the largest casino sales of the era.

Robert F. Wagner, trial lawyer and founder of Indianapolis law firm Lewis Wagner.

Brightpoint, headquartered in Indianapolis and operating from distribution centers in Plainfield, handled about 84 million cell phones and other wireless devices last year around the globe. Founder Robert J. Laikin is a director of s2f Worldwide.

Lewis said s2f would be in a position to draw on Brightpoint's distribution expertise but operate in other industries besides distribution of wireless devices.

"The company will be a minority-owned enterprise. But whether we are an MBE or not, companies will be looking for distribution partners they can trust, who can do the job they expect, and that is what we plan to do," Lewis said.

Call Star reporter Bruce C. Smith at (317) 444-6081.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0095-42699985