Considering historical trade significance and current logistics, Cincinnati, with its central location and access to various transportation modes, would likely be the best choice for a consumer goods company using the center-of-gravity approach to optimize U.S. distribution.
For a consumer goods company seeking to reduce the distance to the U.S. population from a single location using a center-of-gravity approach, the city that would offer the best choice for this facility would ideally be the one with central location relative to population distribution and connectivity with various modes of transportation. Considering the historical significance of trade sites like Cincinnati, which was once one of the largest cities in America due to its location on the Ohio River, and the current infrastructure that supports break of bulk points in major cities, Cincinnati would seem to be a favorable choice.
More centrally located trading towns have shown to grow more than peripheral ones due to their advantageous situation factors, which include being at the intersections of multiple transportation modes—a characteristic beneficial for trading and industrial activities. This principle is evident in the development and continual growth of large U.S. cities. Additionally, the concept of economies of scale underscores the efficiency and productivity that comes with concentrating economic activities in a single location, which cities naturally support.
Based on this analysis, and considering historical precedents alongside current logistical and economic efficiencies, Cincinnati stands out as a strategic location for a consumer goods company aiming to optimize distribution across the U.S.