by Scott Frederick | May 20, 2015 | News
Each year, in its July issue, Inbound Logistics publishes its definitive resource on third-party logistics and the outsourced logistics market. Since Logistics Plus is a comparatively small 3PL, we’ve never been close to making this list (and frankly, we’ve never even tried). However, we have always prided ourselves as “the little engine that could” in terms of our world-class customer service and our global capabilities.
If you have enjoyed working with us, and if you’re so inclined, please vote for Logistics Plus as your top logistics partner and let the world know that there’s a great “mid-size” 3PL out there working hard to help shippers with their transportation and logistics. According to its website, you don’t need to be an Inbound Logistics subscriber to vote. You’ll also be entered into a drawing for one of 10 free 18-carat gold Parker pens.
As always, we thank you for your business, loyalty, and support!
VOTE HERE
PS: As a reminder, we are very appreciative of testimonials since that’s essentially how our business has grown over the past 19 years!
by Scott Frederick | May 19, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Customs Broker Solutions Receives Remote Location Filing (RLF) Status with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Its licensed customs brokers can now clear shipments at all ports in the United States.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, May 19, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, announced today that its Customs Broker Solutions division has obtained Remote Location Filing (RLF) status from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agency.
RLF is designed to optimize supply chain performance by allowing customs filings from a centralized location for all ports within the United States. Logistics Plus Customs Broker Solutions can transmit electronic entry data to all ports within the United States using its new RLF status. Logistics Plus customers nationwide will have immediate delivery of their cargo no matter where they are located. Customers will also benefit from consistent, uniform entry processing, expedited clearance times and overall reduction in costs.
“We made RLF status a priority as a way to expedite customs processing on behalf of our customers,” said Gretchen Blough, licensed customs broker for Logistics Plus Customs Broker Solutions. “We’re extremely happy that CBP approved our RLF status, and we’re excited to be able to add yet another capability that simplifies importing for our customers.”
Please visit www.logisticsplus.com/customsbroker online for more information.
About Logistics Plus (LP)
Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight transportation, warehousing, global logistics, and supply chain management solutions through a worldwide network of talented and caring professionals. Founded in Erie, PA by local entrepreneur Jim Berlin nearly 20 years ago, Logistics Plus has been repeatedly recognized as one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country. With a strong passion for excellence, its 350+ employees put the “Plus” in logistics by doing the big things properly, and the countless little things, that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Evansville, IN; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Lexington, NC; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Laredo, TX; Houston, TX; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Turkey; United Kingdom; and additional agents around the world. For more information, visit www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.
Media Contact:
Scott G. Frederick
Vice President, Marketing
Logistics Plus Inc.
(814) 240-6881
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
by Scott Frederick | May 5, 2015 | News
Continuing a long-standing tradition, this past weekend a group of Logistics Plus employees (i.e., the “LP vs MS team” pictured below) helped raise $754 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society “Walk MS” event in Erie, PA. The Walk MS event itself creates a hope-filled and fun atmosphere for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis while generating a greater awareness of MS in the public at large. Families were drawn closer together, co-workers were united for a greater good, and people gained a better understanding of what MS is and how close we are coming to achieving a world free of this disease. The funds raised give hope to the more than 2.3 million people living with MS worldwide.
Pictured below (left to right) are Christie Paradiso, Jacquie Woodring, Lee Anne Kennedy, Kathy Fiedler, Francisco Tijerina and (in the stroller) Raylan Kennedy.
by Scott Frederick | May 4, 2015 | News
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
Logistics Plus was founded by a small business entrepreneur in 1996 and has been growing ever since. Today we are one of the fastest-growing privately-owned transportation and logistics companies in the country. Our founder, Jim Berlin, was recognized as a regional entrepreneur of the year in 2004 and is a lifetime member of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Hall of Fame. Not only did we start off as an entrepreneurial small business ourselves, we also proudly serve hundreds of small businesses by helping them manage their freight shipping and transportation.
Please join us in acknowledging entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country this week and for being truly a backbone to our economy. This year’s SBA theme is “Dream Big, Start Small.” Logistics Plus is truly an example of a company that started small and dreamed big. You can too.
by Scott Frederick | May 1, 2015 | News
Do you know the difference between a flatbed and a step deck? Dry van versus a Conestoga? Lowboy versus a Gooseneck? Even if you’re not sure what equipment you might need to move your important freight shipment, your friends at Logistics Plus can probably find exactly what you need. But in case you’re really curious, here’s a quick primer on the different types of truckload transportation equipment you might encounter.
Straight Truck
A straight truck, also known as a cube truck, cube van, box van, or box truck, is a truck that carries cargo on the same chassis as the power unit and cab. These types of trucks are often used to move furniture, home goods, and smaller items, or for “hot-shot” expedited freight deliveries.
Dry Van (Enclosed) Trailer
Dry Van trailers are generally enclosed and are commonly used to carry and protect freight from the harmful elements of the weather or the roads. Your shipment can be loaded on the rear of the trailer, normally using a loading dock. In cases where a loading dock is not available, some trailers come equipped with liftgates that can help get your freight from the ground to the trailer and back again.
Flatbed (Flat Bed) Trailers
Flatbeds are extremely popular and are widely used because they are very versatile. Generally, a flatbed is used to load freights on its tip, sides, and rear. With these capabilities, flatbeds have become a primary and leading assets of the trucking industry.
Step Deck (Stepdeck) Trailers
Stepdeck Trailers are otherwise known as drop decks and they are actually a variation of the flatbed trailer design that mainly consists of a bottom and top deck. These trailers are specifically designed to haul freight that cannot be transported on a standard type of flatbed, often due to height restrictions. Step decks can be open or they can also be enclosed in a dry van or Conestoga style of trailer.
Conestoga Trailers
Conestoga trailers come with a rolling tarp system that is used to cover and uncover the trailer and gives protection to the freight. The benefit of a Conestoga trailer is that the tarp can be rolled back to allow side loading or unloading of freight.
RGN (Removable Gooseneck) Trailers
RGN or Removable Gooseneck Trailers are excellent for carrying tall or long freight. An RGN trailer comes with a detachable front, allowing the trailer to be dropped on the ground in order to create a ramp. It is capable of carrying freight weighing up to 150,000 pounds. It can go from 3 axles up to 20 plus axles for heavier shipments. RGN Trailers are more specialized so they are also generally more expensive.
Stretch RGN Trailers
The Stretch RGN or Removable Gooseneck Trailer is designed to haul freight that is too long to be carried by a standard type of RGN. Depending on the weight of the freight, axles may range from 3 axles or higher. This means that the heavier the load is the more axles are to be used.
Lowboy Trailer
A Lowboy Trailer is an unpowered trailer which is commonly used to haul freight. These kinds of trailers are generally designed to carry and transport taller items. This means that the items to be carried by a Lowboy Trailer are taller than the legal height of items that are commonly carried by flatbeds. The types of trailers are also good for hosteling freight between loading docks or within a freight yard.
Refrigerated (Reefer) Trailers
A refrigerated trailer is a temperature-controlled unit. It is generally used for transporting chilled or frozen products. The temperature inside the trailer can be controlled no matter the outside weather conditions. Refrigerated trailers are very specialized and take additional fuel to keep the cooling mechanism running, and therefore more difficult to source and more expensive than standard equipment.
Specialized Trailers
Specialized trailers are specifically made for certain types of freight commodities or substances and include such equipment types as tank, perimeter, double gooseneck, and dolly trailers.
Whether your are looking for a specific transportation equipment type, or you’re just not sure, the truckload transportation experts at Logistics Plus can help you with a wide range of in-house (through our NTL division) and brokered equipment options in order to meet your needs (which is why Transport Topics ranked us one of the top freight brokerage firms in North America). Contact us for more information or request a quick quote on your next truckload freight shipment.
