This year’s list of providers in the third-party logistics and cold storage sectors reveals a noticeable trend. Specifically, more providers are adding new services to their portfolios to meet industry demands, which range from compliance with food safety and transportation regulations to customer driven requirements for real-time tracking of cargo and temperature-monitoring.
Moreover, these same 3PLs and cold storage providers are improving their existing services to achieve more accuracy, improved efficiencies and cost reductions.
Ultimately, transportation and logistics in the food supply chain—including 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.
Congratulations to the companies earning a spot on our 2015 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list.
To view the entire list of winners and the services they offer, click here.
Company: Allen Lund Company, La Canada, Calif.
Web site: 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: ALC Logistics offers customized Transportation Management System (TMS) solutions. Each one of our TMS installations is a separate instance on the cloud in your company’s name. Our TMS is built to handle the most complicated refrigerated loads, but is effective for any commodity. Our pricing includes unlimited users and complete support from installation to user training. See for yourself how a customized solution makes all the difference. Call us for a demo 800-282-3246.
Company: Burris Logistics, Milford, Del.
Web site: www.burrislogistics.com
Year founded: 1925
Number of employees: 1,786
Area(s) served: U.S. region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: A high quality provider of customized supply chain solutions and custom retail distribution. Enjoy all of the benefits of self-distribution with none of the headaches. The Burris family’s commitment to exceptional customer service goes back five generations. Our company promise of "integrity delivered" will remain an integral part of everything we do today—and in all the years to come. You have Donnie Burris' guarantee.
Company: CaseStack, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.
Web site: www.casestack.com
Year founded: 1999
Number of employees: 200-250
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Thousands of suppliers turn to CaseStack for innovative consolidation programs, efficient warehousing systems and streamlined transportation management, all of which are centered on the company’s proprietary, real-time inventory and order technology. This enables customers to realize cost savings and achieve the performance levels of their larger competitors for less investment.
Company: C.H. Robinson, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Web site: www.chrobinson.com
Year founded: 1905
Number of employees: 12,632
Area(s) served: International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: C.H. Robinson remains one of the world’s largest third-party logistics providers having managed 14.3 million shipments in 2014 for customers of all sizes around the world. The company has been named to the Fortune 500 list since 2002, named to Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, received the First Leaf award from Green Freight Europe in 2015, was named Driscoll’s 2014 U.S. Carrier of the Year, and presented with Kraft Foods’ 2014 Partnership Award.
Company: Choptank Transport, Preston, Md.
Web site: www.choptanktransport.com
Year founded: 2000
Number of employees: 214
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Choptank Transport is a 3PL that shippers want to work with. The company has been named a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for two years in a row and has seen exceptional growth because of its reliability and outstanding customer service. Our mission statement says it best: “By providing an exceptional work environment, out team will be better able to provide superior service to our customers offering effective and efficient freight management solutions.”
Company: DSC Logistics, Des Plaines, Ill.
Web site: www.dsclogistics.com
Year founded: 1960
Number of employees: 2,900
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: With over 50 years’ 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.
Web site: www.dswdist.com
Year founded: 1973
Number of employees: 50
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: DSW Distribution Centers, Inc. is a 42-year-old privately owned multi-temperature and multi-licensed warehousing and distribution company specializing in food and pharmaceutical-grade supply chain services. DSW is Organic Certified, holds two CA-ABC Alcoholic Beverage Licenses, and several State Board of Pharmacy Licenses. DSW offers Retailer Compliance Programs, International Language Labeling and many “extreme” value-added services, including Internet Shopping cart fulfillment and 24/7 on-line reports.
Company: FST Logistics, Columbus, Ohio
Web site: www.fstusa.com
Year founded: 1991
Number of employees: 230
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: FST Logistics has completed its first year as an Employee Owned Company (ESOP). This creates an ownership atmosphere where employees know they have a stake in the business and a direct impact on their future. This flows over into day-to-day operations when employee-owners are working with customers, co-owners and vendors while performing their duties with "ownership thinking." This has made us a better company for employees and our business partners.
Company: Henningsen Cold Storage, Hillsboro, Ore.
Web site: 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 is a 5th generation family owned cold logistics provider founded in 1923. No matter which warehouse you walk into you will have the same consistent experience, friendly people, hot coffee and a smile.
Company: H&M Bay, Inc., Federalsburg, Md.
Web site: www.hmbayinc.com
Year founded: 1982
Number of employees: 553
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: H&M Bay is one of the country’s premier logistics providers for LTL refrigerated and frozen commodities. Consolidation centers strategically located nationwide, along with a host of Web-based systems for ordering and tracking, help you manage all your shipping needs. When keeping it cold counts, contact H&M Bay.
Company: JTS (Johanson Transportation Service), Fresno, Calif.
Web site: 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: JTS is continually customizing and expanding our technology offerings to meet our carrier, shipper and receivers’ business requirements. We feel strongly that this, plus our commitment to applying ethically sound business principles to our operations and customer service, sets us apart in the 3PL market. We have an A+ rating with the Fresno (CA) Better Business Bureau and have been a BBB Accredited Business since October 1990.
Company: Kenco, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Web site: www.kencogroup.com
Year founded: 1950
Number of employees: 3,800
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 Canada focused company with the capabilities of fulfilling supplier diversity requirements. We are very proud to be the largest woman owned third-party logistics company in the U.S.
Company: Lineage Logistics, Colton, Calif.
Web site: www.lineagelogistics.com
Year founded: 2007
Number of employees: 4,000
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: Lineage Logistics completed the acquisition of Columbia Colstor and Dreisbach Enterprises. With these three acquisitions, Lineage expands its national cold storage footprint to over 600 million cubic feet and a facility network of 111 facilities in 21 states.
Company: Metro Park Warehouses, Inc., Kansas City, Mo.
Web site: www.mpwus.com
Year founded: 1970
Number of employees: 175
Area(s) served: U.S. region Midwest
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: Metro Park Warehouses Inc. boasts licensed medical, pharmaceutical and alcohol distribution, call center services, heat tunnel shrink wrapping and bundling, display building, kitting, labeling and packaging.
Company: Penske Logistics, Reading, Pa.
Web site: www.penskelogistics.com
Year founded: 1969
Number of employees: 13,000
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: The parent company, Penske Truck Leasing, has won U.S. EPA’s SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award for the third straight year; Penske Logistics acquired Transfreight North America
Company: ReTrans Precision Logistics, Memphis, Tenn.
Web site: www.re-trans.com
Year founded: 2002
Number of employees: 500+
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: ReTrans is one of the top and only 3PL management companies of its kind. We provide customized service for each of our customer’s needs and many different forms of analysis and reporting. ReTrans has been growing at a rate of 20 percent each year and managing $600 million in freight expenditures.
Company: RLS Logistics, Newfield, N.J.
Web site: www.rlslogistics.com
Year founded: 1968
Number of employees: 200
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: RLS Logistics continues to provide customers with new service offerings. We continue to provide fast reliable temperature-controlled LTL service from the Northeast, servicing all 48 states. Additionally, RLS Logistics has announced a refrigerated only program to handle those temperature- and time-sensitive shipments. Our warehouse locations continue our green initiative. We have just been approved for a new solar project at our company headquarters in Newfield, N.J. Our goal is to have 90 percent of all power needed to run the facility generated by solar power. RLS opened its fourth temperature-controlled logistics center in Vineland, N.J., recently.
Company: Ryder System, Inc., Miami, Fla.
Web site: www.ryder.com
Year founded: 1933
Number of employees: 29,000
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Ryder works with nine of the 10 the top food and beverage companies in the U.S. Thousands of customers rely on Ryder’s experience in transportation and logistics. The company offers a network of maintenance facilities with expert refrigeration technicians and warehousing space.
Company: Star Distribution Systems, Inc., Palm City, Fla.
Web site: www.stardistribution.us
Year founded: 1892
Number of employees: 250
Area(s) served: U.S. region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Year after year, Star Distribution Systems, Inc. is touted as Florida's Premier 3rd Party Logistics Provider. Our core focus is on collaborative distribution and consolidated LTL transportation for over 125 valued clients. That said, we have the awards to back it up: Ocean Spray Rookie of the Year; six consecutive Bell Carter Foods Service Provider of the Year; Nestle Waters Regional Carrier of the Year; and recognized as one of Sun Maid Growers of California “Key Partners.”
Company: Total Transportation Network, Northfield, Ill.
Web site: www.totaltransportationnetwork.com
Year founded: 2008
Number of employees: 17
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Total Transportation Network is one of the fastest growing companies in Chicago. We have quality employees, which has truly allowed us to move increasingly high volumes and “sell a quality product” for our shippers. We work in a results-driven industry and we have never fallen short of getting those results day in and out. Our owners are very adamant to always bring forth the results and “no fail” attitude on each load we cover. Adding Fortune 100-500 customers is becoming a regular pattern and with the growing carrier/operations departments, we can surely continue to take on more.
Company: Transportation Insight, Hickory, N.C.
Web site: www.transportationinsight.com
Year founded: 1999
Number of employees: 325
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and International
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Transportation Insight is one of the largest and most experienced full-service 3PLs in North America, delivering bundled enterprise end-to-end logistics solutions. Services and solutions offered include carrier sourcing, robust Transportation Management System (TMS) technology, freight bill audit and payment services, supply chain analytics, reporting and Big Data solutions with interactive analytical tools, warehousing and LEAN consulting. Operating under a Co-managed Logistics® model, the 3PL fosters continuous improvement activities throughout client supply chains through the implementation of its Extended LEAN® methodology.
Company: Trinity Logistics, Seaford, Del.
Web site: www.trinitylogistics.com
Year founded: 1979
Number of employees: 260
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: Offering both freight brokerage and transportation management services, Trinity Logistics is one of the longest-standing major players in the transportation industry that specializes in serving the food industry.
Company: Triple T Transport, Lewis Center, Ohio
Web site: www.triplettransport.com
Year founded: 1988
Number of employees: 70
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: At Triple T Transport, our #1 goal is customer satisfaction from the initial contact through delivery with detailed communication. We are 100 percent employee owned/operated and proud of the employees who handle your product with care and dedication. With over 25 years of service, we can put together a plan to make sure your product gets to your customer on time. It doesn't matter what type of product you have—dry, refrigerated or frozen—we can service your needs.
Company: Universal Lumpers, Inc., Tempe, Ariz.
Web site: www.universallumpers.com
Year founded: 1982
Number of employees: 500-1,000
Area(s) served: U.S. region
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: By partnering with UL, you get over 30 years of industry-leading experience on your side! We've taken what was once a raw and undeveloped industry and transformed it into a structured, accountable, and standardized service — one focused on saving our clients time and money. Our commitment to quality in legal lumping has helped us build a solid reputation for dependable service, one focused on upholding warehouse, carrier, and vendor relationships. Most importantly, you'll gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing your inbound operation is being managed by the most seasoned company in the industry.
Company: US Cold Storage, Union City, Calif.
Web site: www.uscold.com
Year founded: 1816
Number of employees: 2,400
Area(s) served: National (entire U.S.)
Asset/Non-asset: Asset
Worth noting: USCS is the third largest PRW logistics provider in North America and totally committed to the frozen and refrigerated food industry providing a full range of services. We are a preferred leader in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics services offering best in class service. In addition, USCS offers 35 strategically placed facilities in 12 states: CA, DE, FL, IL, IN, NE, NC, PA, TN, TX, UT and VA. "The Logistics Network that Works for You!"
Company: Veracity Logistics, Clearfield, Utah
Web site: www.veracitylogistics.com
Year founded: 2012
Number of employees: 20+
Area(s) served: U.S. region
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: Veracity Logistics is strategically located in Clearfield, Utah, and Tolleson, Ariz., and provides food-grade warehousing, transportation and distribution 3PL services to food and nutraceutical manufacturers throughout the West and Southwest regions
Company: Vestra Logistics, Cumming, Ga.
Web site: www.vestralogistics.com
Year founded: 1997
Number of employees: 13
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Non-asset
Worth noting: With over 20 years of industry experience, Vestra Logistics is a woman owned and operated 3PL, with a precedence for superior service and logistics coordination.
Company: WSI (Warehouse Specialists, Inc.), Appleton, Wis.
Web site: www.wsinc.com
Year founded: 1966
Number of employees: 1,200
Area(s) served: North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)
Asset/Non-asset: Both
Worth noting: RELIABILITY IS EVERYTHING. Three simple words. A power promise. For nearly 50 years, WSI has helped customers succeed with reliable, integrated third-party logistics. We deliver tailored, end-to-end supply chain solutions designed to maximize operational efficiency, ensure reliable performance and minimize costs. That passion for excellence has built WSI into one of the nation’s largest privately held 3PL providers, with an exceptionally high client retention rate.
Company: Yusen Logistics (America), Inc., Secaucus, N.J.
Web site: www.us-yusen-logistics.com
Year founded: 1955
Number of employees: 2,647
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. Our customers include many of the top tier manufacturers in the food and beverage industry. Our services include: reefer; over-the-road; less-than-truckload; flow-through warehousing; and retail POS display management. We handle nearly a million dollars in food- and beverage-related business each year.
