Today, more than 80% of global shipping involves containers. They're packed with everything from personal storage items in dry containers to heavy machinery on flat rack containers. For business owners shipping products, getting a container from point A to point B requires precise planning and high-level tracking. But that's easier said than done when global supply chains become over-congested, leading to loading time issues and delays.
That's bad news for business owners who are already under a massive amount of stress. The truth is that container storage delays can cripple a business, but there's a viable solution: drayage brokers in Minneapolis, MN like RelyEx. Drayage companies provide unique solutions to minimize demurrage and help ensure the successful delivery of your freight.
With more than 30 combined years of experience and a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx has quickly become the first choice for streamlined, efficient drayage services. To understand the true value of RelyEx's offerings in the global logistics industry, it helps to understand first what drayage is and why it's used.
If you're a seasoned business owner who uses port drayage to transport your products, you know exactly how important the service can be. But if you were to poll a group of random people, you may get five different definitions of the term "drayage." That begs the question, how is one of the most crucial steps in the supply chain and most vital components of global trade such a confusing concept? When you break it down, it's not too difficult to grasp.
Drayage, by definition, means the transportation of freight from an ocean port to another destination. Today, drayage is also used to describe the process of transporting products and goods over short distances or over "the first mile."
While drayage often means short-distance movements during the supply chain process, it's primarily used in the container shipping space. Drayage loads usually have arrival and departure points in the same city and don't include long-haul, national transportation.
Because a drayage load can mean a few different things, confusion among carriers is common. Many carriers link drayage with going into a port, but that isn't always true. While all drayage loads typically originate from a port of entry, there are often several legs of a drayage journey before a container turns up at its final stop. Legs of a drayage load may include:
You may be thinking, what's so important about drayage? It's such a small step in the container storage transport process. In reality, it's an integral piece needed in the logistics industry and a crucial part of U.S. supply chain management.
To truly understand the importance of drayage, let's use flowers as an example. Most cut flower shipments enter the market from areas in South America until they end up at Dutch auction houses. Once there, wholesalers purchase flowers in bulk and send those products to retail outlets worldwide. Because flowers are perishable, they typically need to be refrigerated and are often shipped in reefer containers. These refrigerated vessels must maintain a certain temp to prevent loss.
Drayage companies like RelyEx allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services. Drayage companies allow flower shippers to send their products from Argentinian ports to airports in the Netherlands with peace of mind, because their products are protected. The only way to accomplish this feat is with the help of swift, meticulous port drayage services.
If port drayage is compromised, it can cause delays and even fines. You know the packages you get delivered to your front door from apps like Amazon? Without drayage and drayage brokers, one or two-day shipping times wouldn't even be possible.
As a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone, it seems like drayage shipping issues shouldn't exist. But the fact is inefficiencies and congestion are still major problems at ports. Whether it's a lack of carriers, absent chassis, or overburdened terminals, delays lead to missed deadlines, lost revenue, and worse.
But anytime challenges exist, so too do innovative solutions.
QUOTE REQUESTRelyEx was created because our founders saw a need in the logistics space for more reliability and efficiency. The reality of the shipping and logistics industry is that it has become very transactional. It's an odd evolution, because most businesses seek a third-party logistics partner that is accessible, transparent, and committed to providing solutions.
As the logistics space continues to grow, it creates newfound expenses and complexities. Clients like ours know that and need a supply chain partner who is genuinely interested in their business. By understanding the needs of our customers and carriers, we can provide the most reliable, effective drayage services possible.
Unlike some drayage companies in Minneapolis, MN, we begin managing your containers before they ever hit the ports by mapping out the most efficient pathways of delivery. That way, our team can discover the best drayage pathways to expedite delivery time and reduce fees that cut into profits.
Our valued drayage customers choose RelyEx because:
At RelyEx, we like to consider ourselves problem solvers. The nature of the container drayage industry presents new challenges every day, but we're firm believers that there's a solution to every hurdle we encounter. And while some drayage businesses implement a reactive approach, RelyEx customers choose us for our proactive mindset. We take pride in solving your company's drayage challenges to help you avoid frustrating fees, missed expectations, and delayed shipments. We strive to make every transaction successful and streamlined by partnering with shippers who prioritize transparent, prompt, and accurate communication.
RelyEx approaches your business from the customer's perspective - a unique approach that helps us provide high-quality, effective drayage services. We've been in the customers' shoes, know their pain points, and because of that, provide first-hand solutions to stressful supply chain issues. With over 30 years of collective knowledge, our team excels in:
Our varied, high-level drayage shipping experience helps us achieve our overarching goal: expertly managing your freight movement needs. That way, you can direct your time and focus on growing the core aspects of your business while we handle the heavy lifting. Throw in proactive planning to avoid bottleneck situations and strong communication for transparent customer relations, and you can see why so many companies trust RelyEx.
When it comes to shipping logistics, it only takes one mistake by a mediocre worker to disrupt your business. That's why, at RelyEx, we pride ourselves on forming and nurturing relationships with carriers who match our standards of care. Our founding partner started his career transporting freight for companies as an on-demand carrier. He uses that knowledge to maximize the resources of our carriers so that our customer's expectations aren't just met - they're exceeded.
Based in the port city of Minneapolis, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Customers choose RelyEx because:
Some drayage brokers don't care how customers feel about their service as long as they sign a contract and get paid. As a solutions-oriented team, RelyEx takes the opposite approach. We're motivated by the opportunity to overachieve for our customers and to provide them with the best logistics experience possible. With professional experience as carriers and shippers ourselves, we know the roadblocks and challenges you're facing. We excel at mapping out the best plans of action to solve those problems. But that's just the start.
Our tracking experts monitor and manage every aspect of your drayage shipment from booking to delivery, 24/7. Once booked, we look for the availability of your containers hourly once they're at port. When they arrive, our team acts quickly to access your storage containers when they're available.
Plus, RelyEx ensures your company's requirements are met by the carrier during loading and delivery and provide necessary documentation as fast as possible. With real-time tracking updates and access to our customer service professionals, your team has complete visibility throughout the shipping process.
Over the years, RelyEx has built a strong network of drayage carriers, transloading locations, and container storage spaces to provide you with the best possible options to match your drayage service needs. We know that searching for quality service presents an added layer of complexity and stress to our customers. That's why we work hard to take that off your plate by connecting you with our reliable shipping partners.
With a background moving freight as an on-demand carrier, our founding partner understands how to maximize the resources and equipment of our carriers to match your needs.
Like other industries, the global logistics space is complex. Mistakes will be made, and problems will happen. With those truths in mind, RelyEx has built its reputation as problem solvers. Unlike other drayage companies, we don't shy away from this industry's complexities because we take pride in solving problems. Even better, we aim to do what's needed to avoid those problems altogether.
As your logistics partner, we will provide your company with accurate, transparent, and prompt communication. If there are unexpected issues, we'll notify you immediately and will provide several options to remedy the problem. We even offer custom reporting for large clients who need at-the-moment updates and quick access to shipment documentation.
Why let the unpredictability of your industry dictate your success? With a background working in manufacturing, our founders are familiar with the demands of managing production schedules and sales orders. That experience makes it abundantly clear to us that every business and industry is different. If you struggle with seasonal surges or other factors, our team supports your business with a mapped-out plan and schedule, so you stay ahead of the game.
QUOTE REQUESTBased in the port city of Minneapolis, RelyEx has a keen understanding of the challenges of managing the inbound and outbound flow of containers. Our team of container drayage experts provides your business with unique solutions to nuanced shipping problems, minimizing demurrage and ensuring the successful delivery of your freight.
Demurrage is a charge issued by a port, carrier, or railroad company for storing containers that do not load and unload their cargo promptly. Once the daily limit of free time is exceeded, shippers are charged daily demurrage fees until their cargo is shipped. Though different ports have different policies, charges can range from $75 to $150 per container, per day, for a set number of days. Additional demurrage fees are incurred if a shipper exceeds the port's parameters.
Even when shippers maintain a tight schedule for unloading freight, external factors can play an uncontrollable part. Typically, shipping mistakes caused by human error trigger the most demurrage charges. Some of the most common causes of demurrage include:
Typically, shippers need four specific documents to clear shipments through customs: A Bill of Lading (or BOL), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and an arrival notice. Seasoned drayage brokers like RelyEx are used to preparing these documents, but new shippers tend to miss this step due to inexperience.
If a shipper only pays for part of their shipment, a vessel operator may refuse to release their freight until their bill is fully paid. Payment delays lead to cargo detention at the port of entry, which triggers demurrage charges.
QUOTE REQUESTPaperwork is needed when you're shipping goods with a drayage company. When documents like the Certificate of Origin or Bill of Lading arrive at their destination late, you can expect demurrage fees. RelyEx avoids this situation entirely by being proactive when submitting paperwork.
Additional causes for demurrage fees can include:
At RelyEx, we know first-hand how stressful supply chain problems can be for business owners. Though drayage shipping might seem minor on the surface, it affects every stage of your shipping process. And when inevitable hurdles manifest, RelyEx propels you over the proverbial roadblocks with a proactive mindset and a passion for challenging projects. We believe that all problems have a solution, and our unique vantage point allows us to provide first-hand solutions to customers in a wide array of industries.
When it comes to your business, don't settle for anything less than RelyEx. Contact our office today to learn more about how we make your shipping experience streamlined and stress-free.
Minnesota prepares for a season-opening tipoff against visiting Bethune-Cookman on Monday in Minneapolis, and this time the Golden Gophers are looking for better results.That said, it would be hard to envision worse results. The Golden Gophers are coming off a difficult season in which they went 9-22, including 2-17 in the Big Ten Conference to finish in last place.A healthier roster, combined with a year of experience for some of the team’s key players, has Minnesota coach Ben Johnson feeling optimistic heading into his ...
Minnesota prepares for a season-opening tipoff against visiting Bethune-Cookman on Monday in Minneapolis, and this time the Golden Gophers are looking for better results.
That said, it would be hard to envision worse results. The Golden Gophers are coming off a difficult season in which they went 9-22, including 2-17 in the Big Ten Conference to finish in last place.
A healthier roster, combined with a year of experience for some of the team’s key players, has Minnesota coach Ben Johnson feeling optimistic heading into his third season.
“Taking this over, I understood that Minnesota has never been a quick fix if you want to sustain it,” Johnson said.
The season marks a new opportunity for Golden Gophers forwards Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen, both of whom sustained torn ACLs in each of the past two seasons. A trio of sophomores, including Pharrel Payne, Braeden Carrington and Joshua Ola-Joseph, also return.
“They have no idea how it’s going to benefit them as sophomores with what they went through,” Johnson said. “It’s not going to get any harder ever again than it was.”
Minnesota’s most highly touted freshman is Cam Christie, a four-star recruit from the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows, Ill. Christie is the younger brother of Max Christie, who played at Michigan State and now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Meanwhile, big man Dawson Garcia returns to the Golden Gophers after averaging a team-high 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds last season.
Bethune-Cookman comes off a 12-20 season, including an 8-10 record in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Wildcats are led by former NBA All-Star Reggie Theus, who serves as the program’s athletic director and head basketball coach.
The season opener will mark the expected debut of Zion Harmon, who Bethune-Cookman says is the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to the program. Harmon was ranked in the top 100 nationally by a number of publications and drew interest from Kansas, Kentucky and Louisville.
“I look at our depth,” Theus said. “I look at our size. And I think that we’re going to have enough size and depth to really deal with just about anything. The one thing we lack is a little experience.”
Newcomers have defined third-year coach Ben Johnson's tenure so far with Gophers men's basketball. They've carried a big load.After losing 10 players to the transfer portal once he was hired to replace Richard Pitino in 2021, Johnson had the largest group of newcomers in the Big Ten. And entering last season, the Gophers were near the top again with a high number of new faces.The quantity of incoming players has finally shrunk a bit for the U — but not the quality.For the first time, Johnson has a core of players b...
Newcomers have defined third-year coach Ben Johnson's tenure so far with Gophers men's basketball. They've carried a big load.
After losing 10 players to the transfer portal once he was hired to replace Richard Pitino in 2021, Johnson had the largest group of newcomers in the Big Ten. And entering last season, the Gophers were near the top again with a high number of new faces.
The quantity of incoming players has finally shrunk a bit for the U — but not the quality.
For the first time, Johnson has a core of players back who have played meaningful roles. Four returners are led by All-Big Ten preseason forward Dawson Garcia, last year's scoring and rebounding leader.
But these five newcomers add much-needed depth in the backcourt and in the middle for the Gophers entering the new season. They'll face Division III Macalester in an exhibition game Thursday ahead of Monday's season opener against Bethune-Cookman at the Barn.
• MIKE MITCHELL JR.
GUARD • #2 • JUNIOR
Mitchell's father was one of the all-time football rushing leaders at Stanford. After playing his first two years at Pepperdine, the younger Mitchell now has a chance to play at the Power Five level like his pops. He was a four-star recruit coming out of the Bay Area.
The 6-2 San Jose, Calif., native was one of the top point guards available in the transfer portal with opportunities to play in several major conferences after shooting 42% from three and averaging 5.0 assists, second in the West Coast Conference.
"Mike brings a strong leadership presence to our backcourt," Johnson said. "Mike was really a productive player in the [WCC] the past two years. I love his ability to play in ball screens and his perimeter shooting capability."
• ELIJAH HAWKINS
GUARD • #0 • JUNIOR
The only player on the Gophers' roster with experience playing in the NCAA tournament, he's just 5-11 and 165 pounds. But Hawkins was huge last season for Howard as it earned the program's first March Madness berth in 31 years.
Hawkins was a first-team all-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection after ranking 11th in the nation in assists per game (6.0) and 21st in three-point percentage (46.6).
There's a sense of urgency for Hawkins to get back to the postseason after his 12-point, eight-assist performance in an NCAA tournament first-round loss to Kansas.
"Elijah is a mature young man, who has always been a winner," Johnson said. "He's a tough, gritty competitor that plays with an edge. Elijah has an alpha mentality and really loves to work on his craft."
University of Minnesota photo
• CAM CHRISTIE
GUARD • #24 • FRESHMAN
Growing up, Christie played mostly in his older brother's shadow. Max Christie turned into a McDonald's All-America and NBA draft pick after his freshman year at Michigan State. Cam's been motivated his whole life to be better than his big brother — and his potential seems just as high.
The 6-6, 190-pound freshman arrived as the top recruit in Johnson's 2023 class after earning all-state honors at Rolling Meadows in Arlington Heights, Ill. Christie expects to make an immediate impact as a deadeye shooter and athletic scorer in the U backcourt.
"No fear. Extreme confidence," Ben Johnson said. "Great maturity for an 18-year-old. He has high expectations for himself, which is what I love. I want all of our guys to have that game-changer mentality."
• JACK WILSON
CENTER • #33 • GRADUATE
No player in the Big Ten outside of Purdue's man mountain Zach Edey can match the size of the Gophers' new center, who once was the largest football player ever in the Pac-12 as a 6-11, 335-pound offensive lineman.
Wilson, a former four-star basketball recruit from San Mateo, Calif., played at Oregon State to start his career before transferring to Idaho and eventually Washington State.
The Gophers were desperate to find a big man in the portal to back up talented sophomore Pharrel Payne and challenge him physically in practice. They found their guy.
"It's undeniable this is a great opportunity," Wilson said. "It's extremely high-level basketball and it fits my style of play. I can have an impact in the Big Ten against other teams who have big, more traditional centers."
• KRISTUPAS KEINYS
FORWARD • #8 • FRESHMAN
Keinys joined the Gophers at the end of the summer after spending most of the offseason working out back home in Klaipeda, Lithuania. But the 6-8, 215-pound wing fit right in with his energy and athleticism once practice opened this fall.
Keinys won't back down to Big Ten opponents after already playing tough competition internationally, including the U18 European Championships in 2022.
The Gophers' deepest position is the wing/power forward spot with Keinys, Joshua Ola-Joseph, Isaiah Ihnen and Kadyn Betts.
"He's going to be another exciting young player for us to develop," Johnson said. "He's a really good athlete. He's skilled and can shoot it. Playing in Lithuania in the pro league, he's not going to be fazed. He's hungry to push guys."
Braeden Carrington forced a steal; Elijah Hawkins quickly started a fast break; and Mike Mitchell Jr. finished it with a layup.It was an early glimpse Thursday into the type of pace the Gophers men’s basketball team will look to play with this season. The play also helped Minnesota separate from Macalester after the Division III opponent led for nearly 10 first-half minutes of an exhibition game at Williams Arena.The underdogs from St. Paul grabbed four offensive rebounds on one early possession and made a handful of earl...
Braeden Carrington forced a steal; Elijah Hawkins quickly started a fast break; and Mike Mitchell Jr. finished it with a layup.
It was an early glimpse Thursday into the type of pace the Gophers men’s basketball team will look to play with this season. The play also helped Minnesota separate from Macalester after the Division III opponent led for nearly 10 first-half minutes of an exhibition game at Williams Arena.
The underdogs from St. Paul grabbed four offensive rebounds on one early possession and made a handful of early 3-pointers en route to a 17-9 lead. But the Gophers finally started to act like the bigger and more-talented neighbors, using that fast break and other facets as part of a 20-5 run in a 97-73 win.
“I’ve done these (exhibitions) a long time, those first 10 minutes to even first half, it’s going to be close,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “I told our guys, ‘We are not blowing these guys out in the first 20 minutes. It’s more of, again, showing our maturity. It’s like boxing: you just keep wanting to go body blow, body blow and hopefully wear them out.”
Johnson was particularly impressed by the team’s 32 total assists and only five turnovers. Hawkins, a transfer from Howard, and Mitchell Jr., a transfer from Pepperdine, each had nine assists.
Josh Ola-Joseph, who is switching from power forward to small forward, led Minnesota with 21 points, while Dawson Garcia added 19. Hawkins, Mitchell and Parker Fox also reached double digits.
Macalester guard Caleb Williams of Wild Rose, Wis., led the Scots with a huge performance: 41 points on 14 of 31 shooting. He hit a number of head-turning fadeaway shots.
The Gophers played without starting center Pharrel Payne and true freshman guard Cam Christie, while Macalester didn’t have big man Ba Badou, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
Johnson said Christie and Payne are not dealing with serious issues and might be able to return for the season opener against Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Barn.
Without Payne to run the starting lineup, the Gophers went with Garcia, Hawkins, Carrington, Ola-Joseph and Isaiah Ihnen.
Macalester is considered one of the favorites in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season after finishing fourth in the league in 2022-23. Johnson credited how sixth-year coach Abe Woldeslassie has the Scotts program on the upswing.
The Gophers last played Macalester in 1922, losing to the Scots 12-11. The U beat fellow MIAC team St. Olaf 71-55 in an exhibition game to start last season.
Ten other schools in the Big Ten will have played exhibitions against teams from Division II or lower levels this fall.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team hosts Division III Macalester from the MIAC in an exhibition Thursday night at Williams Arena.The game in itself means nothing and doesn’t count, but don’t tell that to Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen. It’s their unofficial return to the court after sitting out the last two seasons with knee injuries. For Fox, it’ll b...
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team hosts Division III Macalester from the MIAC in an exhibition Thursday night at Williams Arena.
The game in itself means nothing and doesn’t count, but don’t tell that to Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen. It’s their unofficial return to the court after sitting out the last two seasons with knee injuries. For Fox, it’ll be tough to hold back his emotions. He transferred to the Gophers after the Mahtomedi native was a Division II All-American at Northern State. He finally gets a chance to play for his hometown team at Williams Arena.
It'll be his first game in 960 days.
"Visible chills already. I think the moment I get to go on that court and get to sub in is going to be one of the most special moments of my life," Fox said. "There’s days where you never thought it would happen. Now I feel great, feel awesome. It’s a huge process and a huge journey, but it all works out and pays off for itself."
It all became real for Fox when he stepped on the court for a scrimmage against Colorado State. In his first live action, his first basket was a dunk. He remembers getting a text message from his parents before, telling him how proud they were of his fight to return.
"I can’t believe I got back here, that I was able to do this. I subbed into the game and got a bucket right away. We’re back, let’s go," Fox said.
There were times when he thought he might never play again. He tore his first ACL right around the time he committed to Ben Johnson and Minnesota. He entered the transfer portal and the 6-8 athletic forward talked with more than 100 schools.
"The first day in the portal I talked on the phone for nine hours straight," Fox said.
He cut his list to eight, including the Gophers. A talk with Johnson sold him.
"The biggest thing was when Coach Johnson told me, he said ‘Imagine going somewhere else and thinking about what it would be like at Minnesota?’ That did it, he got me for sure," Fox said.
Both he and Ihnen then had to focus on rehab together, and become cheerleaders on the bench as Johnson and the Gophers went through a 13-17 season, winning just four games in the Big Ten. The team would go through practices for hours, they would be in the training room.
"I spent more time with that dude than you guys even know, I love him to death," Fox said of Ihnen. "I know everything about him, he knows everything about me. He’s not clean in the kitchen, I’ll tell you that much."
Set to return last season, it happened again to both of them. Ihnen injured the same knee during summer workouts. Fox was running a transition drill in a practice, passed to Jamison Battle and planted his foot. His other knee popped.
"It’s ridiculous, honestly, to have those type of injuries back to back. I would not wish that on anyone. At the same time, it was a blessing having him there with me," Ihnen said.
"I passed it to Jamison for a three, took a step and it just gave out. I looked at coach, and I’m like I tore it. I knew it right away," Fox said.
After going through his first knee injury, the process was on Fox never wanted to go through again. That’s until the basketball junkie had to do it again. He has five TVs in his home, has a subscription to NBA League Pass and basketball is constantly on.
His mindset changed after the second injury. He was determined to play for the Gophers and put on the Minnesota jersey one day. That day is now.
"I told myself I gotta do it again. There’s no way I can’t do it again because I love it too much. I have to give myself that chance," Fox said.
Fox talked with fellow Gophers Chris Autman-Bell and Eric Curry about their injuries. He followed Klay Thompson’s return from an ACL and torn Achilles. He read books, and picked up journaling to help his emotions on the dark days.
He also started his own podcast, an outlet he needed and relied on.
Thursday night, Fox and Ihnen will play in their first exhibition in two years. Next Monday, it’s for real against Bethune-Cookman. It’s impossible to know what their role will be with the Gophers this season. Their focus is being back healthy.
"The game is really my life, I’m just blessed I get to be able to practice," Fox said. "This is the last hurrah, so I’ve got to give it everything I got. I can’t second guess, I can’t hold back."
MINNEAPOLIS — Kandiyohi County native Adam Duininck has been selected as the next president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District , according to a news release issued Oct. 25.Duininck was selected for the position after the retirement of former president and CEO Steve Cramer.Duininck has had a history in urban planning, transp...
MINNEAPOLIS — Kandiyohi County native Adam Duininck has been selected as the next president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District , according to a news release issued Oct. 25.
Duininck was selected for the position after the retirement of former president and CEO Steve Cramer.
Duininck has had a history in urban planning, transportation and community engagement, including work as chair of the Metropolitan Council and as the director of government affairs for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.
According to the release, Duininck, son of Garry and Cherris Duininck, grew up between Blomkest and Svea, just south of Willmar.
“I am thrilled to become the president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council-Downtown Improvement District at such a pivotal time for downtown Minneapolis and the region,” Duininck said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been achieved through Steve Cramer’s leadership.”
The Minneapolis Downtown Council is one of the longest standing central business associations in the United States. It is a membership-based organization which works towards the betterment of Downtown Minneapolis, according to its news release.
The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District is a nonprofit funded by local businesses whose goal is to improve life downtown by making it safer and cleaner.
"(Duininck's) vision for a vibrant downtown Minneapolis aligns perfectly with our 2035 Planning Process, and his proven track record in leadership and community development makes him an ideal fit for the role," said Karin Lucas, board chair, in a statement.
Duininck believes that economic prosperity in Minneapolis can help grow and develop the communities around it.
“The economic vitality of downtown Minneapolis relates to Willmar because a strong downtown Minneapolis is an economic driver for a strong region and a safe, thriving state,” Duininck said.
The Duininck family has been in the Willmar and Prinsburg area for generations. The original business was a road construction company begun in 1926 by three brothers. What is now Duininck Companies represents a portfolio of multi-generational and family-owned businesses. Duininck Companies has remained a part of the Willmar area community and the Duininck family since.