Erie Reader Spotlight

Erie Reader Spotlight

Logistics Plus is being spotlighted in the Feb 4 – 17 issue of the Erie Reader as part of their 2015 Industry Innovation & Entrepreneurship Issue. A cutout of the article is shown below (as well as the newspaper cover and a small Logistics Plus ad that also appeared in the issue).

Erie Reader Cover  Erie Reader Ad

Erie Reader Spotlight

Inner City Development Through International Logistics

Inner City Development Through International Logistics

The following is a reprint of a guest post that was written for and appeared on the ICIC.org Blog yesterday

Erie Union Station and MuralLogistics Plus Inc. is a small but growing company in the $700 billion global logistics industry.  The company has continued to grow since it appeared on the 2007 Inner City 100 list: just last year Logistics Plus was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the United States. The company was founded in 1996 by Erie, Pennsylvania entrepreneur Jim Berlin, and today it has over 350 employees in 36 offices and 20 countries around the world.

Despite international success, Berlin has not forgotten his roots in northwestern PA and continues to drive local community development. In 2004, he purchased the historic Union Station in downtown Erie and established it as the firm’s global headquarters (left image in the photo above). In his quest to create a diverse and vibrant inner-city community, he made additional retail space available in the building which now houses a restaurant, wine room, and hair salon, among other businesses. Just a year ago, Berlin acquired the old ‘Skinner Engine Warehouse’ – now the home to an airsoft recreational business and other business tenants.

Downtown Erie, PA– once a vibrant hub for manufacturing and transportation in the Midwest – was hit hard during the past two U.S. economic recessions. Hard times simply renewed Berlin’s commitment to Erie. “We thought this was a cool place to be; it fit our style, our character, and the logistics angle,” Berlin says. “I always said if downtown Erie comes back, I’ll look like a genius, but at the time I bought the building, I looked like the dumbest guy in town. I find it’s hard to get people in Erie excited about Erie. It seems we have an inferiority complex with people saying, ‘Erie’s not that bad.’ Why not just go out and make it something? Why be apologetic about it? Make something happen.”

The enthusiasm Berlin has for Erie can also be seen in the various paintings and murals he has commissioned, including ‘Welcome to Erie’ messages on the city’s Peach Street and Sassafras Street bridges, and a large mural on a Bayfront warehouse depicting the historic ‘Battle of Lake Erie’ to commemorate Erie’s proud heritage (right image in the photo above). The mural includes the copy ‘DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIPMENT,’ which is a logistical wink to the iconic “Don’t give up the ship” motto sewn on the flag adopted by the American fleet prior to the famous battle.

Still, Berlin’s inner-city development efforts would not be possible if it weren’t for his successful logistics and supply chain management business. At the heart of that business are very talented professionals that help companies around the world with project cargo and project management, import/export services, air, and ocean freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution, global trade compliance services, LTL and truckload transportation, rail and intermodal services, and logistics and technology solutions. “We consider ourselves ‘a solutions company’ first and foremost with a reputation for handling all aspects of logistics from cradle-to-grave,” says Berlin.

As Logistics Plus nears its 20th anniversary, what lies ahead for the company and the community in which it resides? “I always joke that I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen today, no less a year or two from now, but our overall motto is to grow, and we will continue to do that because of our talent, our energy, our passion and our continued record of success,” says Berlin. “Growth equals opportunity – and more fun – so that is our mantra.” Growth and success are also the cornerstones of Mr. Berlin’s development efforts in downtown Erie. “I believe that now we are beginning to see a renaissance take hold, and I do predict that a couple of years from now, the Union Station Square neighborhood will be a vibrant community — a long way from where it was when we first got here.”

About Logistics Plus Inc.

Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight management, global logistics, and business 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 extra little things needed to ensure its customers’ success. For more information, visit http://www.logisticsplus.com or follow @LogisticsPlus on Twitter.

Logistics Plus Named 2014 Employer of the Year

Logistics Plus Named 2014 Employer of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DevelopErie presents award to Logistics Plus CEO for its non-manufacturing category

Logistics Plus Logo Slogan URLERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, January 23, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, is proud to announce that it was recognized as the 2014 Employer of the Year by DevelopErie in its non-manufacturing category. The award, which was presented on Thursday, January 22nd at DevelopErie’s annual awards dinner at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, confirms Logistics Plus as a leading employer of choice in northwestern Pennsylvania and within the highly competitive transportation and logistics industry.

“It’s an honor for Logistics Plus to be considered as the employer of the year, and great to be in such special company as the other awards finalists. I’d also like to congratulate Viking Plastics who won the employer of the year award in the manufacturing category,” said Jim Berlin, founder, and CEO of Logistics Plus. “I love how our team has taken our business idea and created something special. It creates jobs, provides services to the community, and provides a home for people to come and work and live and raise a family. That’s pretty much what this is all about, and so we’ll keep doing what we do.”

Nominees for the awards were submitted by the community and voted on by the DevelopErie Board of Directors. The Employer of the Year award is given to an Erie-region company in recognition of their investment in the community during 2014, whether it is an investment in product development, buildings, and equipment, or investment in people through job creation or educational training. Additionally, the company must exhibit a sincere and deep commitment to the Erie region and its employees.

“Logistics Plus began providing its services nearly two decades ago and the company has become one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country,” said Glenn “GT” Thompson, Member of Congress for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a letter to the company. “Not only has the company provided 350 challenging jobs, but it has also grown to efficiently handle all types of freight services as well as global trade compliance services. I thank them for making significant contributions to the local economy. It’s easy to see why Logistics Plus was selected for this prestigious recognition.”

Highlights of the awards dinner and Mr. Berlin’s acceptance speech is available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/Hzy4osi8OJw

About DevelopErie 

DevelopErie, formerly the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, serves as the lead economic development agency for the Erie, Pennsylvania region. DevelopErie is a private-public partnership comprising seven organizations with one staff and one mission to: “Develop Our Region’s Economy and Increase Our Region’s Prosperity.” DevelopErie works to create partnerships that provide our region’s businesses and organizations the programs, products and services they need to be successful. Visit them online at www.developerie.com

About Logistics Plus Inc.         

Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight management, global logistics, and business 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 extra little things needed to ensure its customers’ success.

The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Evansville, IN; Kansas City, MO; Lexington, NC; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greensville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Laredo, TX; Houston, TX; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya; Malaysia; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Turkey; 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

 

Logistics Plus Coordinates Delivery of Monster-Sized Trailer

Logistics Plus Coordinates Delivery of Monster-Sized Trailer

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Logistics Plus Coordinates Delivery of Monster-Sized Trailer

Massive Rogers Brothers Corporation Trailer Moved from Albion, PA to Houston, TX

Rogers Brothers TrailerERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, January 20, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, reported today that is has successfully completed a unique cargo logistics project for Rogers Brothers Corporation. The project was nearly two years in the making and culminated with a 220-ton capacity trailer being loaded for transport in Albion, Pennsylvania, and then delivered to the Port of Houston in Texas where it will be shipped breakbulk to Peru.

Rogers Brothers Corporation designed and manufactured the trailer, its largest since WWII, for Peru Southern Copper Mine Corp.  The massive trailer is designed to haul large mining equipment off-road and is two-to-three times larger than a standard highway trailer.  Fully assembled, it has a 220-ton capacity, is over 100 feet long, 20 feet wide, and is capable of hauling 440,000 pounds.  Each one of its 24 tires is made of solid rubber, with no air, and weighs close to 1,000 pounds.

A team of Logistics Plus professionals have been involved off and on over the past two years to assist the Rogers Brothers staff in costing, planning, quoting, surveying, and finally coordinating and loading the trucks.  Because the trailer was so large, Logistics Plus needed to coordinate six over-dimensional trailer loads to legally move it on U.S. highways.

“As often is the case, some ‘behind the scenes’ hiccups and weather issues made things interesting,” said Jeremy Chaffee, truckload solutions manager for Logistics Plus. “In the end, the combined team battled through a snowstorm, ice, and cold to load all six truckloads in just over eight hours. The shipment delivered on schedule to the Port of Houston and the customer couldn’t be happier.”

About Rogers Brothers Corporation       

Rogers Brothers Corporation, based in Albion, Pennsylvania, manufactures superior quality low-bed heavy-hauler semi-trailers under the trade name ROGERS®. For 100 years, ROGERS has manufactured The Ultimate in Trailers® for customers in over 65 countries around the world. Thousands of ROGERS trailers are used by construction, transportation, utility and mining companies; the military; and local, state, and federal governments. Visit them online at www.rogerstrailers.com

About Logistics Plus Inc.               

Logistics Plus Inc. provides freight management, global logistics, and business 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 extra little things needed to ensure its customers’ success.

The Logistics Plus® network includes offices located in Erie, PA; Fresno, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Evansville, IN; Kansas City, MO; Lexington, NC; Cleveland, OH; Charleston, SC; Greensville, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Laredo, TX; Houston, TX; Australia; Bahrain; Belgium; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya; Malaysia; Mexico; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Turkey; 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.