Lowe’s Receives Port’s Shipper of the Year Award

Lowe’s, one of the largest users of The Port of Virginia®, is the recipient of the port’s 2023 Shipper of the Year award.

The annual award is presented by the port at the Virginia Maritime Association International Trade Symposium. It recognizes an exceptional shipper that works with the port to make it better for all users.

Left to right: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Kara Matzko, director of strategic accounts for The Port of Virginia, Sean Conner, Lowe’s senior manager of government affairs, Brian Bernarding, Lowe’s senior director of international transportation and logistics (at the podium) and Pennie Ayers, Lowe’s vice president of supply chain transportation.

The award was presented Oct. 5, by Thomas D. Capozzi, chief sales and marketing officer for Virginia International Terminals LLC., the port’s private operating company. On hand to receive the award for Lowe’s were Pennie Ayers, vice president of supply chain transportation and Brian Bernarding, senior director of international transportation and logistics, and Sean Conner, senior manager of government affairs. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was also present at the ceremony and congratulated the Lowe’s team.

“Lowe’s imports a growing number of products for its retail locations through The Port of Virginia,” Capozzi said. “Not only is Lowe’s an import customer for the port, it is also a significant corporate citizen in Hampton Roads. We’re working with the Lowe’s team to help it grow its cargo volumes through the port and leverage our assets and operating model to better ensure predictability and stability in the company’s supply chain.”

In October 2022, Lowe’s announced plans to develop the 1.5 million-square-foot import distribution center in the Virginia Port Logistics Park in Suffolk, VA.

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The port owns Norfolk International Terminals, Newport News Marine Terminal and Virginia Inland Port and leases Virginia International Gateway and Richmond Marine Terminal. The VPA through its private operating subsidiary, Virginia International Terminals, LLC (VIT), operates all five terminals. A recent economic impact study from The College of William and Mary shows that in fiscal 2022, The Port of Virginia helped create more than 565,000 jobs statewide and generated $63 billion in gross state product.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 17 million customer transactions a week in the U.S. With total fiscal year 2022 sales of over $97 billion, approximately $92 billion of sales were generated in the U.S., where Lowe’s operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. For more information visit Lowes.com.