LATHROP – Look at Gordon Trucking as a math formula.

Fifty permanent jobs. Space for 500 trucks. Operations in 28 different states.

Add it all up and it provides one huge boost to Lathrop’s economy and sends a signal that despite an uncertain economic future, successful companies still recognize that the city’s location along California’s arterial thoroughfare and its proximity to the 120 Bypass and Highway 99 is an invaluable asset.

That was all on display Wednesday morning at the official grand opening of the company’s newest terminal on Harlan Road. Local dignitaries mingled with the outfit’s administrators to learn a little bit more about the operation they’ve been waiting to see open up.

“We welcome any new business, but Gordon Trucking has been an excellent partner to work with – they tried to search out Lathrop residents to hire when they were in that phase of development,” said Lathrop Community Development Director Glen Gebhardt. “This is going to be a valuable asset in this area. They’ve done everything that we asked and they have a beautiful facility here.”

With quick and easy access to routes that serve both the Sacramento region and the Bay Area, Director of Terminal Operations Gary Driskill – a Nebraska transplant that came out to California to take a position within the company – considers the location pivotal.

And with the amount of traffic that the site dispatches, location is everything.

“It’s an ideal spot because I-5 is perfect for the volume of freight that we move,” he said. “And if we need to access Highway 99, we can just cross at Highway 120 which makes things very easy.

“It’s been great settling in here in Lathrop. Everybody has been so welcoming to all of us, and that makes a difference.”

Those that turned out for the special event were treated to a barbecue lunch and a presentation by the Gordon family. Facility tours were also offered which showed off the state-of-the-art service bays and the office space – both part of the 24,000 square feet of inhabited space that sits on the 16-acre parcel.

The event carried special weight for Lathrop Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Kennedy-Bracken who got to see another business locate to the community – a feather in the cap of both her organization and the City of Lathrop as a whole.

She wholeheartedly believes they made the right move.

“I think that they selected the right place,” she said. “We have a lot of land here and a lot of opportunities. Both the chamber and the city welcome more opportunities like this.

“Gordon Trucking hired people from Lathrop which is a great thing. The economy is turning around and this shows that and business is growing and this shows that as well – it’s a good sign for the community.”

Gordon Trucking is located at 12550 S. Harlan Road.