Global Trade • September/October 2022 • THE ENVELOPES, PLEASE...

Our 10th Annual Awards Honor 50 American 3PLs That Are All About Their Customers

It’s fitting that during a milestone year for our annual roundup of America’s best third-party logistics providers, the industry is on fire. By the time 2022 comes to an end, the global 3PL market size will hit USD $1.03 trillion, North America will have accounted for 40% of that total, and there will be no impediments to the industry reaching $2.14 trillion worldwide by 2032, according to Fact.MR, a Dubai-headquartered research firm with offices in the U.S. and India.

Many 3PLs you will find here play out sized roles in that rosy forecast, having also made other 2022 best lists based on total revenue rankings. A good chunk of these, in our compilation and others, are the U.S. and/or North American divisions of multinational logistics giants.

GETTING COMPETITIVE: In today’s logistics and supply chain space, 3PLs must focus on staying ahead of the competition while minimizing costs. Read more on Page 32.

However, Global Trade likes to diversify by adhering to a decade long tradition of acknowledging the excellence of as many 3PLs as possible, big and small. To that end, each company recognized on our list has been placed in a specific award category. This is not to suggest that is the only ability or service that 3PL nails for its customers. For instance, we have Logistics Plus under the 4PL/LLP (Lead Logistics Provider) category this year, but the Erie, Pennsylvania-based company would have fit just as worthy of our E-Commerce or Technology awards.

For an idea of how things have changed since we launched the America’s Top 3PLs special feature in 2012, we used to have a NAFTA category. A decade on, companies that excel in cross-border are categorized under USMCA—to reflect the U.S.- Mexico-Canada Agreement having replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.

AGILE

The Fort Smith, Arkansas-based company’s team members build deep, trusted relationships to act as extensions of their customer’s workforce. Dialing in the client’s needs and focusing on optimizing their supply chains allows ArcBest to be as agile as possible.

Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, and with offices and terminals throughout North America, Hub Group employs cargo tracking, freight analytics, historical documents and weather and traffic reports. This allows for quick adjustments, so client shipments stay on track along the supply chain.

Over two decades, the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company has built a reputation for finding ways to make customers’ businesses run smarter. Supply chain? Think finely tuned value chain aimed at improving your bottom line.

AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING

Headquartered in Marseille, France, and part of the giant CMA CGM Group, CEVA also includes its North American 3PL in Jacksonville, Florida. CEVA and Kodiak Robotics teamed up in March to deliver freight autonomously between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, as well DFW and Oklahoma City—a Sooner State first.

Having previously secured 350 TuSimple autonomous trucks, Loadsmith announced a partnership in May with Chicago-based Mastery Logistics Systems to develop a cloud based transportation management system. Denver-based Loadsmith’s goal is to become the first fully autonomous trucking firm.

Already hauling freight more than 9.3 million miles a day for America’s biggest companies, Schneider is all in when it comes to autonomous trucking. The Green Bay, Wisconsin-based company began weekly autonomous hauls in August between Dallas and Houston, with plans to expand the pilot program with Aurora vehicles.

E-COMMERCE

The Novi, Michigan-based 3PL services more than 100 e-commerce food and beverage brands dedicated to temperature-controlled, direct-to-consumer fulfillment. To maintain that momentum, Lineage acquired last mile drop-ship order fulfillment provider Crystal Creek Logistics and pick-and-pack order fulfillment service Perishable Shipping Solutions.

Three distinct areas of expertise make this Milwaukee, Wisconsin based 3PL a valuable partner to its e-commerce clients. Being an affiliate of industrial real estate firm Phoenix Investors means it can help find properties near key transportation lanes. A team of experienced supply chain pros utilize state-of-the- art warehouse management systems. And they will take over all your transportation coordination responsibilities.

Syncreon’s warehouse solutions can support e-commerce, retail, and business-to-business fulfillment, improve inventory efficiency, and accelerate response times. Based in Fairburn, Georgia, the company also offers a strategic location and advanced logistics technology.

EMERGING MARKETS

It would be understandable if shippers in emerging markets mistakenly believed Nashville, Tennessee-based Chariot is a solo operation. That’s because each customer of the 3PL has a single point of contact overseeing their account—backed by a team of specialists.

DHL’s global headquarters is in Bonn, Germany, but Plantation, Florida, is the logistics giant's home Stateside, where its Auto-Mobility business unit worked with U.S. automakers to get their most-popular brands into China and Taiwan. The program is a blueprint for expanding into other new markets.

Whether entering an emerging market or maximizing existing assets, the global company headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, provides supply chain planning solutions to help meet customers’ business goals. A combination of industry knowledge, advanced systems and technical prowess allow Penske to offer the most advanced logistics solutions in countries big and small.

EXPEDITED

You want expedited? Ease increases the speed of shipments to their destinations by employing a 24/7/365 in-house customer service model and guaranteed 2-minute response times and 15-minute quotes and follow-ups. What the Dublin, Ohio-based 3PL does not do along the supply chain, it puts in the hands of trusted and innovative business partners.

The Lowell, Arkansas, company announced in June that it has entered a long-term agreement to expedite the delivery of new inter modal containers as well the freight of its customers. The goal is to accelerate customer shipments of cargo from Asia to the U.S.

“We quote it, we move it” is the motto at the Chicago-based 3PL, which offers that perfect, modern-day blend of tech-forward offerings and old-school methodologies. They partner with some of the country’s most prominent shippers and carriers to get loads to their final destinations ASAP.

FINAL MILE

The parent company is based in France and has facilities all over the planet, including its U.S. headquarters in Brentwood, Tennessee. Geodis in the USA recently acquired Need It Now Delivers, a Flushing, New York-based company that specializes in final mile.

XPO plans to spin off its truck brokerage, final-mile and managed transportation businesses by the end of 2022 under the name RXO. “Our best-in-class truck brokerage business will be the keystone of RXO’s asset-light platform, poised to continue to take share of a growing market,” says XPO Chairman and CEO Brad Jacobs.

From multiple pieces to big and bulky orders, Ryder last mile delivery has you covered with front door, over the threshold, room of choice and white glove services. With 125+ hubs nationwide, the Miami, Florida headquartered logistics giant provides two-day delivery to 95% of the country.

4PL/LLP

The Seattle-based company does not own the ships, trucks, and aircraft it uses daily, but as an LLP, Expedited can design custom supply chain solutions for e-commerce brands and provide core services that include supply chain management, transportation, customs and compliance, and warehousing and distribution.

Being nimble throughout the supply chain allowed the Erie, Pennsylvania based company to respond to the challenges of 9/11, COVID-19 and, most recently, the Ukraine invasion, when LP offices worldwide joined forces to provide critical relief supplies to war refugees.

The multi-modal LLP partners with manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to achieve significant cost savings, reduce cycle times and improve customer satisfaction rates through customized supply chain solutions. The Hickory, North Carolina, company is a partner of the Nolan Transportation Group freight brokerage.

GLOBAL

A century of customs brokerage experience gives Deringer’s customers a leg up, but don’t let the long legacy fool you into thinking the St. Albans, Vermont-based company is old fashioned. Deringer employs cutting edge technological tools and up-to-the-minute alerts on regulatory and logistical issues affecting international trade.

Not only does C.H. Robinson have headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (North America), Amsterdam (Europe), Port Melbourne (Australia), Shanghai (Asia), Mumbai (India) and Miramar, Florida (Latin America), it relies on contractual relationships with 85,000 air, ocean, motor, and railroad transportation carriers.

A division of the Brink’s Co., DB Schenker is a land, sea and air logistics giant based in Essen, Germany. Its U.S. division is among the largest integrated logistics service providers in the country, with more than 7,300 employees in 47 branches and 60 logistics centers as well as hubs at every American airport with international flights and ocean gateways from all major American points and ports to more than 150 global destinations.

LESS-THAN TRUCKLOAD

The Cleveland-based company offers lower LTL costs and premium discounts through its CT TransSaver pooled buying program. This allows small and medium-sized shippers to take advantage of the same competitive motor carrier pricing that industry big boys receive.

Based in Dallas (like a certain magazine), R2 not only simplifies complicated LTL shipping, but it also charges among the lowest rates out there. R2’s transportation management system oversees the entire journey of your LTL shipment.

Also based in Dallas (like a certain magazine), Worldwide opened its doors in 1992 and now proudly services more than 120,000 shipments daily. These are carried by more than 65 leading LTL carriers, nearly 85,000 truckload partners and the networks of UPS, the nation’s leading small package delivery provider.

PHARMA

The parent company is headquartered in Denmark, but DSV US is headquartered in New Jersey and operates all modes of transportation across the country. DSV recently became a full member and associate partner of the Pharma.Aero’s supply chain risk management platform Mytigate.

In 2018, the global logistics giant opened Pharma Hub Switzerland to expand its multimodal temperature controlled door-to-door shipping operations in its native country. Kuehne+Nagel expanded its healthcare contract logistics network in the U.S. with healthcare facilities in Memphis, Tennessee; Southaven, Mississippi; and, coming soon, adjacent to Indianapolis International Airport.

Known for designing and delivering warehouse and fulfillment solutions for food and beverage shippers, the Columbus, Ohio-based company also operates in the healthcare space. High value devices are distributed to hospitals and medical facilities nationwide, while ODW’s pharmaceutical packaging solutions range from blister packs to timed dosing.

SPECIAL SERVICES

A fourth-generation owned business that has operated in the Detroit, Michigan, market for more than 90 years, Evans tailors services to its manufacturing, e-commerce, and brick-and-mortar retail clients. Many of those customers have been with Evans for 30+ years—as have the 3PL’s employees.

A non-asset-based choice for trucking companies across North America, Dallas-based Mode Group has access to specialized equipment to meet any shipping need. Experienced experts— including more than 50,000 active carriers—know how to handle seasonal and peak needs … at competitive rates.

The private, family-owned business based in St. Louis, Missouri, puts customers first with “5 Sunset Promises: Savings, Visibility through Technology, Data-driven Decisions, Continuous Improvement, Relationships.” That translates to tailored experience and service customization, access to multiple modes of transportation and the ability to scale.

SPECIALTY CARGO

With more than 2,000 flatbeds and step-decks, Landstar is the largest platform carrier in North America. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, the company is an industry leader in the safe and secure transport of hazmat, military arms, ammunition, explosives, or any high-value cargo.

Based in Haddonfield, New Jersey, Tucker is the oldest privately held freight brokerage in North America, specializing in notoriously complicated freight, including temperature-controlled, oversized, and high-value, high-security shipments. As a result, Tucker helps transportation pros for some of the world’s top brands.

You must ship something unusual, something oddly shaped, something you believe no one Earth has ever shipped before. Worry not. “If you’re staring at a transportation, distribution, or logistics conundrum, call us,” says the Atlanta based global logistics behemoth. “It’s likely we’ve seen it before.”

TECHNOLOGY

A UPS company based in Chicago with dual operations in Europe, Coyote takes a “Tech + Humanity approach” to customer challenges. For instance, CoyoteGO premium lets shippers use the company’s lauded digital freight platform and full transportation management system—for FREE!

Headquartered in the greater Seattle area, Holman is proud to have remained privately held and in continuous operation since it was established in Portland, Oregon, in 1864. But Holman’s no dinosaur, having partnered with OneTrack.AI to utilize artificial intelligence to reduce the risk of lift truck related accidents while increasing warehouse productivity.

Odyssey’s proprietary platform provides global transportation management services across all modes of transport. This allows the Danbury, Connecticut-based company to implement highly integrated and automated services while connecting clients to a large global logistics network.

The San Francisco-based company’s digital freight marketplace instantly connects shippers to more than 1.7 million drivers. Once a carrier is sourced, Uber Freight’s technology digitally executes shipments. Upon delivery, the shipper pays the carrier rate realized on the marketplace, plus a pre-agreed-upon fee.

TEMPERATURECONTROLLED

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the world’s largest publicly traded real estate investment trust owns, operates, acquires, and develops temperature controlled warehouses around the world.

At last count, Americold owned and operated 249 temperature-controlled warehouses with about 1.5 billion refrigerated cubic feet of storage.

Burris understands that different products require different environments, which is why its warehouses are designed to provide custom temperatures, humidities and adjustable racks. Headquartered in Milford, Delaware, Burris facilities are strategically located near major transportation hubs and ports around the U.S.

Grocery retailers, beverage producers and food manufacturers and processors are among the top customers of the company headquartered in Camden, New Jersey. NFI has millions of square feet of warehouse space available to lease or rent across North America.

The Lakewood, Colorado, company, which has facilities throughout the U.S., can boast of having done something no one else on the list had: being among the first 3PLs to deliver Chicken McNuggets to market. The perishable shipping experts now work with just about every major food company.

USMCA

For 35 years, FLS has specialized in cross-border freight between the U.S., where it has 11 offices in nine states, and Canada, where it is headquartered (Bonjour, Montreal!) and has six offices in four provinces—as well as operations in Mexico. Providing all equipment types and modes, FLS boasts of having an 99.7% on time rate and .001% claims rate.

Founded in 1993—or one year before NAFTA was signed into existence— ProTrans supports manufacturing markets from the Midwest to Texas and into Mexico, including maquiladoras along the border. Along with sister company Millennial Transport Services, the Indianapolis, Indiana-based company operates more than 30 strategically located facilities across North America.

The Warren, Michigan-based holding company owns subsidiaries engaged in providing a variety of customized transportation and logistics solutions throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. Its customers enjoy supply chain solutions that can be scaled to meet changing demands and volumes.

VERSATILE

Private, family-owned, and nimble CTL serves customers through its in-house fleet, a vast network of approved carriers—or both. “Capacity constrained? We will utilize our assets to help in a pinch,” vows the Jacksonville, Florida-based 3PL. “We will schedule alternative modes of transportation as needed.”

Headquartered in Chicago with locations all over the U.S., Echo will scramble to find alternative shipping modes and options to allow its clients to keep products moving. During the volatile market conditions in 2021, Echo maintained an on-time delivery rate of 96% for a large national food and beverage manufacturer that frequently ships from Southern California.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company is now the second largest freight brokerage in the country. Working with a network of more than 130,000 carriers, TQL creates supply chain efficiencies for a variety of customer needs through industry-leading technology and first-rate service.