No one can debate the role third-party logistics and cold storage providers play in today’s challenging cold supply chain is an important one.
The companies on this year’s Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list continue to improve their expertise and keep up with the latest temperature monitoring technologies, transportation management systems and warehouse management systems. Their capabilities have become as diverse as the customers they serve—from small local producers to global food manufacturers—all of whom have unique requirements. Transportation and logistics in the food supply chain, especially perishables, requires a commitment on the part of 3PLs and cold storage providers to continually invest in their own operations to meet the needs of their customers’ operations.
To help logistics professionals know who they can turn to for help in temperature-controlled transport issues, Food Logistics offers its annual Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers, as an up-to-date list of providers with a summary of their capabilities. This list provides a handy resource to transportation decision makers, giving them a snapshot of the capabilities of these companies and the geographic region(s) they serve.
Congratulations to all of the companies earning a spot on our 2016 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list. To see the entire list of companies and the services and capabilities they offer, please click here.
The following are expanded profiles of some of the companies on the list.
Company: AFN, Niles, Ill.
Website: www.loadafn.com
Year founded: 2003
Number of employees: 190
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: AFN is a uniquely people-powered logistics company that provides dry van and refrigerated truckload, LTL, and partial services to leading food and beverage industry clients throughout North America. Recently, Ocean Spray named AFN as their 2015 "Partner of the Year" in recognition of the partnership-driven service they provide. Their holistic approach to shipping helps their clients select the most efficient, cost-effective methods for moving freight, enabling them to reach their short- and long-term business goals.
Company: Allen Lund Company, La Canada, Calif.
Website: www.allenlund.com
Year founded: 1976
Number of employees: 436
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Allen Lund Company offers customized Transportation Management System (TMS) solutions. Each one of their TMS installations is a separate instance on the cloud in your company’s name, and built to handle the most complicated refrigerated loads but is effective for any commodity. Pricing includes unlimited users and complete support from installation to user training. See for yourself how a customized solution makes all the difference.
Company: Americold, Atlanta, Ga.
Website: www.americold.com
Year founded: 1903
Number of employees: 11,000
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Americold offers a complete U.S. national network with facilities in every major food production and consumption market, along with a national LTL consolidation network to save trucking costs.
Company: Burris Logistics, Millford, Del.
Website: www.burrislogistics.com
Year founded: 1925
Number of employees: 1,861
Area(s) served: U.S. Region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Burris Logistics is a high-quality provider of customized perishable, multi-temp supply chain solutions, including freight management, warehousing, distribution and technology solutions. The Burris family's commitment to exceptional customer service goes back five generations. The company’s promise of "integrity delivered" remains an integral part of everything they do today - and in all the years to come. You have Donnie Burris' guarantee.
Company: DB Schenker, Freeport, N.Y.
Website: www.dbschenkerusa.com
Year founded: 1947
Number of employees: 6,000
Area(s) served: International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: As barriers to global trade erode, an increasing level of supply chain complexity has become necessary to meet global customer demand. Major manufacturers have created these layers as they contract new logistics partners to source better and cheaper raw materials, consolidate shipments for cost-efficiency and deliver final product to their customers. This has resulted in companies trying to manage dozens of logistics service provider’s relationships. DB Schenker has set out to link global markets using environmentally friendly, intercontinental, seamless logistics chains. Their customers benefit from appropriate door-to-door solutions and complex service packages covering the entire value chain.
Company: DSC Logistics, Des Plaines, Ill.
Website: www.dsclogistics.com
Year founded: 1960
Number of employees: 3,000
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: With over 55 years of experience in the food and CPG industries, DSC Logistics is a leader in transforming logistics and supply chain management into a critical business strategy based on collaborative partnerships, innovative thinking, and high-performance operations. DSC achieves the business goals of Fortune 500 and other dynamic companies by designing, integrating, managing and adapting customized supply chain solutions. As a Lead Logistics Partner (LLP) and third-party logistics (3PL) provider, DSC delivers value by reducing total system costs, optimizing business processes, facilitating growth and change, and maximizing the potential of the supply chain. DSC is a certified woman-owned business, and is named annually as a Top 3PL and Top Green Supply Chain partner by multiple trade journals.
Company: DSW Distribution Centers Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Website: www.dswdist.com
Year founded: 1973
Number of employees: 55
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: DSW Distribution Centers Inc. is a 43-year-old, family-owned, third party logistics provider offering a wide array of value-added services with specialized licensing and multiple temperatures for the food, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, beverage and consumer packaged goods industries.
Company: FST Logistics, Columbus, Ohio
Website: www.fstlogistics.com
Year founded: 1991
Number of employees: 260
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: FST Logistics is employee-owned and 100 percent focused on customer service. Their unparalleled service is second to none in the 3PL world. FST’s asset-based temp-controlled transportation like LTL and TL, along with full-service temp-controlled warehouse offerings such as pick-pack, display builds, kitting and e-commerce order fulfillment, allows FST to truly be a "one-stop shop."
Company: Great Lakes Cold Storage, Solon, Ohio
Website: www.glcsinc.com
Year founded: 1999
Number of employees: 155
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: Great Lakes Cold Storage offers full-service distribution of millions of cases per year for various grocery chains, seven days a week, 363 days a year.
Company: H&M Bay Inc., Federalsburg, Md.
Website: www.hmbayinc.com
Year founded: 1982
Number of employees: 574
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: H&M Bay is the country's premier logistics provider for LTL refrigerated and frozen commodities. H&M Bay has consolidation centers strategically located nationwide, along with a host of web-based systems for ordering and tracking, to help customers manage all of their shipping needs. When keeping it cold counts, contact H&M Bay.
Company: Hanover Logistics, Hanover, Pa.
Website: www.hanoverlogistics.com
Year founded: 2006
Number of employees: 135
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Hanover Logistics is made up of two long-standing privately held operating companies; R.H. Crawford, Inc. trucking and Hanover Terminal, Inc. warehousing. Hanover Logistics has been on the Food Logistics Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list since 2010.
Company: Henningsen Cold Storage Co., Hillsboro, Ore.
Website: www.henningsen.com
Year founded: 1923
Number of employees: 330
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Henningsen Cold Storage Co. is a fifth-generation family-owned, full-service temperature-controlled storage and logistics provider. Founded in 1923, Henningsen operates a national network of warehouses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Henningsen has also been named a "Top Green Provider" by Food Logistics for the past two years.
Company: Hickory Transportation Services, Jacksonville, Fla.
Website: www.hickorytrans.com
Year founded: 2008
Number of employees: 60
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Unlike typical 3PLs, Hickory Transportation Services is an asset-based carrier first and a broker second. As the sole transportation partner to BUBBA burgers and Peterbrooke Chocolate, Hickory is also a shipper who knows the pain points of each of their customers. With a highly experienced team, Hickory moves hundreds of temperature-sensitive loads every week and specializes in lanes east of the Mississippi along with the entire state of Texas.
Company: Integrity Logistics Inc., Wilsonville, Ore.
Website: www.integritylogistics.com
Year founded: 1988
Number of employees: 20
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Integrity Logistics is a proud member of Fellowship of Companies for Christ. As a member of this organization, they pledge to conduct business with the highest moral and ethical standards. Integrity is also active community members supporting a variety of charity works, including partnerships with many of their clients. Additionally, 25 percent of Integrity’s staff are certified transportation brokers and the company is a member of the EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership.
Company: Johanson Transportation Service, Fresno, Calif.
Website: www.johansontrans.com
Year founded: 1971
Number of employees: 90
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Johanson Transportation Service is a Transportation Member of Blue Book Services since 1979, which puts them in an elite group of reputable, honest companies with strong financial positions and trading policies. JTS has a $1.5 million credit score with the highest rating of XXXX. JTS has also earned the highest ''Four Star'' rating with Red Book Credit Services and earned the Business Character Award, which reflects high ethical trading practices, business competence and financial stability.
Company: Kane Is Able, Scranton, Pa.
Website: www.kaneisable.com
Year founded: 1930
Number of employees: 1,200
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Kane Is Able‘s customer-centric culture is built on 86 years of family ownership. Their metrics-driven, lean six sigma operations deliver logistics at the speed of life. Kane’s associates are honored to be recognized by partners like Sam’s Club (3PL of the Year; second year in a row) and Kimberly-Clark (best overall distribution center performance). Manufacturers make products people love. Kane’s job is to get them to market with dependable people, exceptional logistics.
Company: Keller Logistics Group, Defiance, Ohio
Website: www.kellerlogistics.com
Year founded: 1978
Number of employees: 348
Area(s) served: U.S. Region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Keller Logistics Group is a family owned asset-based 3PL bringing over three decades of logistics expertise. From maker to market they've got it covered as a complete logistics solutions provider.
Company: Kenco, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Website: www.kencogroup.com
Year founded: 1950
Number of employees: 4,000
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Kenco's integrated logistics platform focuses on commitment to service and cultural alignment; while providing vertically integrated and engineered solutions with its partners. Kenco is also a U.S. and Canadian-focused company with the capabilities of fulfilling supplier diversity requirements. Kenco is also very proud to be the largest woman-owned third party logistics company in the U.S.
Company: Kingsgate Transportation, West Chester, Ohio
Website: www.kingsgatetrans.com
Year founded: 1986
Number of employees: 44
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Serving clients since 1986, Kingsgate Transportation brings unique solutions to food manufacturers and distributors to drive significant costs out of their supply chain. Supported by best-in-class technology, Kingsgate provides integrated and customized solutions specific to the client’s needs. Kingsgate is a women-owned, WBENC certified company with a U.S. and Canadian focus with capabilities of meeting supplier diversity goals.
Company: KTI, LTD, Pulaski, Va.
Website: www.ktiltd.com
Year founded: 1995
Number of employees: 46
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: KTI is a family owned and operated company that has been providing first-class service to its customers for over 20 years. KTI offers low-cost, value-added, turn-key logistics solutions to customers of all sizes. The company's success is a result of a dedicated team committed to providing each customer with personalized service.
Company: Lineage Logistics, Irvine, Calif.
Website: www.linagelogistics.com
Year founded: 2006
Number of employees: 6,000
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: Lineage Logistics recently opened new facilities in North Charleston, S.C., and Long Beach, Calif., expanding its national cold storage footprint to more than 610 million cubic feet at 113 facilities in 22 states. Lineage also added High-Pressure Processing capacity at two locations and initiated energy savings programs throughout the network.
Company: M&W Distribution Services Inc., Atlanta, Ga.
Website: www.westlgi.com
Year founded: 1972
Number of employees: 250
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: M&W Distribution was named the 2015 recipient of the Eastman Service Excellence Award for a 3PL facility with a perfect Score of 100. M&W is a food-grade, full service, asset-based 3PL offering temperature-controlled warehousing along with a variety of value-added services. Their facilities in Atlanta and Tampa, Fla., are maintained to the American Institute of Baking (AIB) “Superior” standards for sanitation and pest control.
Company: Penske Logistics, Reading, Pa.
Website: www.penskelogistics.com
Year founded: 1969
Number of employees: 13,740
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Penske won a host of awards in last year including: Lowe's Gold Carrier, Knoll Operational Excellence, Whirlpool Special Supplier, and the Eastman Chemical Supplier Excellence award.
Company: Polar 3PL, Mars, Pa.
Website: www.polar3pl.com
Year founded: 2014
Number of employees: 5
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Polar 3PL offers both asset-based temperature-controlled transportation and warehousing/cross-dock services out of Solon, Ohio, and Cranberry Township, Pa. to customers across North America. Competitive rates and convenient transit times are provided through a multi-vendor consolidation program and all sizes of shipments are handled without delay from one pallet to many.
Company: Port Jersey Logistics, Cranbury, N.J.
Website: www.portjersey.com
Year founded: 1954
Number of employees: 185
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Port Jersey Logistics operates two divisions, Continental Logistics Inc., a transportation management division; and Tyler Distribution Centers Inc., a warehousing division. Both divisions focus almost entirely on servicing the packaged food and food ingredients industries.
Company: RLS Logistics, Newfield, N.J.
Website: www.rlslogistics.com
Year founded: 1988
Number of employees: 150
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: RLS Logistics is a cutting edge provider fully committed to food safety through BRC certification, energy saving facilities, utilizing solar to reduce costs.
Company: Ryder System Inc., Miami, Fla.
Website: www.ryder.com
Year founded: 1933
Number of employees: Over 33,000
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Ryder leverages their deep industry experience to deliver better warehousing, packaging and transportation every time. Only Ryder combines a full menu of solutions — from source to shelf, fleet maintenance to inventory management, safety to sustainability, packaging to driver recruitment — with deep industry-specific expertise gained from serving thousands of food and beverage companies, including the top 10 food & beverage companies in the U.S.
Company: Star Distribution Systems Inc., Plant City, Fla.
Website: www.stardistribution.us
Year founded: 1931
Number of employees: 300
Area(s) served: U.S. Region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Star Distribution Systems continues to be one of Florida’s premier third party logistics providers winning awards including: Bell Carter Foods — Service Provider of the Year (8th consecutive year); SunMaid Growers —Warehouse of the Year; Hospira Worldwide — Service Provider of the Year; and PVH — "Best in Service" award.
Company: Transplace, Frisco, Texas
Website: www.transplace.com
Year founded: 2000
Number of employees: 1,234
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Transplace is a North American non-asset based logistics services provider offering manufacturers, retailers, chemical and consumer packaged goods companies the optimal blend of logistics technology and transportation management services. The company’s services and capabilities include Transportation Management Services, Intermodal, Brokerage and SaaS transportation management (TMS) solutions supplemented by supply chain strategy consulting services. The company is recognized among the elite 3PLs for its proven ability to deliver both rapid return on investment and consistent value to a customer base ranging from mid-market shippers to Fortune 500 companies.
Company: Transportation Insight, Hickory, N.C.
Website: www.transportationinsight.com
Year founded: 1999
Number of employees: 419
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Transportation Insight is a multi-modal enterprise logistics provider with top-tier solutions in all transportation modes. The breadth and depth of their offerings encompasses robust technology, big data solutions, supply chain analytics, streamlined operational processes and proprietary continuous improvement methodologies for the end-to-end supply chain. With the ability to coach, teach and train clients’ supply chain teams to drive excellence, Transportation Insight’s skilled professionals act as expertise multipliers, partnering with businesses to align their supply chains with strategic business goals that create long-term value and increase profitability.
Company: United States Cold Storage, Voorhees, N.J.
Website: www.uscold.com
Year founded: 1899
Number of employees: 3,000
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: United States Cold Storage is dedicated to being the leader in providing highly reliable and cost-effective logistics solutions to the frozen and refrigerated food industry, giving customers the competitive edge they need to succeed in the ever-changing business environment. Their Covington, Tenn., facility was recently awarded LEED Gold Certification status in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program. USCS Bakersfield was awarded the Kellogg Top Gun award for 2015, and their Hazleton, Pa., branch was awarded Unilever's Frozen Distribution Center of the Year, and the Butterball 2015 Warehouseman of the Year award.
Company: Universal Lumpers Inc., Denver, Colo.
Website: www.universallumpers.com
Year founded: 1982
Number of employees: 500+
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Universal Lumpers has over 30 years of industry-leading experience that's been focused solely on lumping and logistics. Unlike other lumping companies, Universal Lumpers provides logistics services as part of the industry standard lumping fees. They’re fiercely committed to the people on our team — all experienced and dedicated experts in their fields — and our people are committed to you. It’s that entrepreneurial spirit has made them a lumping and logistics leader, proudly serving Fortune 100 and 500 companies, along with some of the finest grocery and foodservice providers in the U.S.
Company: US Perishables, Lafayette, Calif.
Website: www.usperishables.com
Year founded: 2007
Number of employees: 14
Area(s) served: U.S. Region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: US Perishables has been named one of Inc. magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Company list and San Francisco Bay Area’s Fastest Growing Company list. They specialize in LTL and TL temperature-controlled products and offer warehousing, direct delivery, and cross-docking services.
Company: Worley Warehousing Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Website: www.worleycompanies.com
Year founded: 1977
Number of employees: 120
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Worley Companies is a focused food-grade 3PL whose disciplined approach to executional excellence distinguishes them from the competition. Food safety and food defense, as well as regulatory compliance, is supported by their ISO 9001-2008 and Organic certifications. Worley’s clients rely on them as a supply chain partner and subject matter experts.
Company: WSI, Appleton, Wis.
Website: www.wsinc.com
Year founded: 1966
Number of employees: 1,200
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: From canned tomatoes to non-fat dry milk to cranberries, WSI is your dry foods expert. Adhering to rigorous condition, count and time standards and safety regulations, WSI ensures products leave warehouses in top condition for journeys across town or overseas. Their commitment to absolute reliability – guaranteeing products arrive in the best shape, the right quantity, at the correct time – is key to their clients’ supply-chain processes. Rely on WSI to be an extension of your brand.
Company: Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc., Secaucus, N.J.
Website: www.yusen-logistics.com
Year founded: 1955
Number of employees: 2,600
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Yusen Logistics (Americas) has more than four decades of experience working with food growers, manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to help them solve their unique supply chain requirements. Yusen handles nearly a million dollars in food- and beverage-related business each year. Their services include: reefer; over the road; less-than-truckload; flow-through warehousing; and retail POS display management.
