In response to rising demand for local support of its automated material handling solutions, Intelligrated Systems Inc. has opened a district office in Ontario, Calif. to serve its clients in the Inland Empire logistics region, the company announced Tuesday.

As a supply chain hub for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the Inland Empire hosts distribution centers that handle a large amount of the nation's freight. The twin Southern California ports are the busiest in the country, handling 40 percent of all containerized import traffic.

Based in Mason, Ohio, Intelligrated provides automated material handling products to clients who need to drive fulfillment productivity in the areas of retail, manufacturing, and logistics. In addition to the automation hardware, Intelligrated also provides software, service, and support to keep the machinery running. The new office will provide those features to companies located in the western states, the company said in a statement.

"Convenient, localized access to solutions development and project-management support helps our customers and businesses continue to reap even greater efficiency from their automated material handling systems," Dave Stinson, vice president for Western regional sales and operations, said in the statement.

"The Ontario district office allows us to reach more clients and prospects in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah with even greater levels of personalized service and on-site support," Stinson said.