Gretchen Blough, customs brokerage manager, and Scott Motter, manager of safety, compliance, and warehousing, were both featured on the weekly Business Spotlight program from WPSE Money Radio. Business Spotlight is a 30-minute program airing Fridays and Saturdays at noon. Each segment focuses on a business or organization that is making an impact across the region.
In this special segment, Gretchen and Scott discuss the company’s new Customs bonded warehouse in Strongsville, OH, future bonded warehouses, and other customs and warehousing topics.
You can listen to a replay of the interview on the Logistics Plus Podcasts page or by clicking below to listen on LP Radio on Spotify.
Logistics Plus Earns ‘Great Place to Work’ Certification for a Seventh Consecutive Year
In anonymous surveys, employees continue to rate Logistics Plus as a great workplace.
ERIE, PA (February 6, 2024) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a global leader in transportation, logistics, and unique supply chain solutions, is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place to Work® for the seventh year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on what the company’s current 450+ USA-based employees say about their experience working at Logistics Plus. 94% of employees say Logistics Plus is a great place to work. That is 37 percentage points higher than the average U.S. company.
Additional facts from this year’s survey results:
97% of employees say they are treated fairly regardless of their race.
96% rate the service that Logistics Plus provides as “excellent.”
96% feel that management is competent at running the business.
98% are willing to give extra to get the job done.
94% feel good about the ways Logistics Plus contributes to the community.
94% feel a sense of pride when they look at what the company has accomplished.
Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.
“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Logistics Plus stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”
“This is very cool and very humbling,” said Jim Berlin, Founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. ” We really are a special company that does things differently. Of all the awards we receive, my favorite is the great place to work. It’s tough to keep everybody happy at any company. But I think we’ve successfully created a place where people can have a lot of freedom, make mistakes, learn from them, rise up, and grow with a cool, global company.”
According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion.
About Logistics Plus, Inc.
Audio Comments
Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP) is a 21st-century logistics company and a leading worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions. LP works in the background to help businesses manage their supply chains in an ever-changing world. Founded in 1996, today LP has annual global sales of over $500M with more than 1,000 employees located in 50+ countries worldwide. LP is recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, a top 3PL provider, a top 100 logistics company, a top freight brokerage and warehousing provider, and a great place to work. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the PLUS in LOGISTICS by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
One of 1,000 truckloads of pipe for Naftogaz delivered in a global operation carried out by Pennsylvania-based Logistics Plus and Vorex USA. (Company photo)
The joint operation between Logis-ukraines-port-of-chornotics Plus and Vorex, LLC, an American oil and gas equipment supplier that won the contract to supply the pipe to Ukrainian state gas producer Naftogaz, entailed $100 million worth of gas pipes, delivering $100 million worth of gas pipes, weighing over 22-thousand tons, to hundreds of sites in Ukraine in a complex effort that involved filling and then offloading four break bulk ships onto 1,000 trucks to avoid anti-ship mines and missile attacks. The entire project took 14 months to order, fabricate, and prepare, then eight months to deliver.
“It’s hard to think of a more complex operation from all my years in the business,” said Fedor Zakusilo, the Ukrainian-American founder and president of Vorex USA, who started out in the oilfield supply business in 2000. “At times, the staff was pushing it dangerously hard, and we had to rein them in – people were actually unloading pipe while a factory just across the road was exploding from a Russian attack. The dedication to getting the job done was off the charts.”
“Everyone was quite on edge throughout this operation,” said Chief Operating Officer Yuiry Ostapyak, a Ukrainian-American who, at 39 years of age, has worked for 20 years for the Erie, Pennsylvania-based Logistics Plus. “This was definitely one of the biggest logistics challenges we have seen – it’s one that a lot of companies would have shied away from.”
“I think the future in logistics will go to the companies that learn to find a way to say ‘yes’ quicker, even as circumstances get more and more difficult,” Ostapyak said. “When the war broke out, many Western companies were running away. We were running toward Ukraine, to help. That attitude will become increasingly essential in the future.”
Ukraine Rebuild Newswire is the brainchild of Adam Brown, a foreign correspondent with 35 years of experience in Latin America, West Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia for The Associated Press and Bloomberg News. His work has appeared on the front page of virtually every major newspaper in the world and he has appeared on CNN, BBC, ABC, CBS and elsewhere from Afghanistan, Kosovo and many other wounded places.
About Vorex USA
Wherever there’s oil and gas, Vorex USA has the equipment and expertise you need to extract and transport it. They distribute products for more than 40 North American and European manufacturers in more than 15 countries around the world. Its goal is to provide the expertise to help you meet any technical challenge. Their products meet the industry’s highest standards and they deliver them on schedule, at the lowest cost to you. Learn more at usavorex.com.
About Logistics Plus, Inc.
Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP) is a 21st-century logistics company and a leading worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions. LP works in the background to help businesses manage their supply chains in an ever-changing world. Founded in 1996, today LP has annual global sales of over $500M with more than 1,000 employees located in 50+ countries worldwide. LP is recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, a top 3PL provider, a top 100 logistics company, a top freight brokerage and warehousing provider, and a great place to work. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the PLUS in LOGISTICS by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
Logistics Plus Recognizes Six LTL Carriers for 2023 Awards
Dayton Freight, Pitt Ohio, Ward Transport, RIST Transport, Estes Express, and Lake Erie Trucking all receive honors.
ERIE, PA (February 1, 2024) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a global leader in transportation, logistics, and unique supply chain solutions, is recognizing six less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers for superior performance in 2023 as part of its annual scorecard review. The 2023 award receipts are as follows:
Dayton Freight: Diamond Award. It’s the eighth consecutive year Dayton has been honored.
Pitt Ohio: Titanium Award. It’s the first time that Pitt Ohio has received an award.
Ward Transport & Logistics: Platinum Award. It’s the sixth time in seven years Ward has been honored.
RIST Transport: Gold Award. It’s the third consecutive year RIST has been honored.
Estes Express: Silver Award. It’s the sixth consecutive year Estes has been honored.
Lake Erie Trucking: Bronze Award. It’s the first time that Lake Erie Trucking has received an award.
The Logistics Plus manages nearly a quarter million freight shipments annually as a recognized top freight brokerage firm. LP delivers services through Logistics Plus proprietary eShipPlus™ and MyLogisticsPlus™ transportation management systems – online TMS platforms with built-in MyFreightTrends™ business intelligence dashboards. LP offers shippers truckload, expedited, international freight forwarding, claims management, freight audit & payment, business intelligence, plus many other supply chain solutions.
Logistics Plus works with over 50 carriers to deliver LTL services in this concentrated transportation segment. Annual LTL carrier awards are based on an assessment of the following performance criteria:
Share of business volume and freight spend
Service, claims, and billing performance
Price competitiveness
Customer service
Account representation and partnership
Sustainability and other intangibles
“In this, the eighth year of our annual LTL awards program, we proudly recognize six of our top partners for being the best-of-the-best among our pool of reputable carriers,” said Scott Frederick, CMO and LTL Carrier Relations for Logistics Plus. “It was a difficult and competitive year, but Dayton, Pitt, Ward, RIST, Estes, and LET provided the best overall performance across most of our partnership ratings. I am especially proud of our two new, first-time award winners, Pitt Ohio and Lake Erie Trucking. Congratulations to all.”
About Logistics Plus, Inc.
Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP) is a 21st-century logistics company and a leading worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions. LP works in the background to help businesses manage their supply chains in an ever-changing world. Founded in 1996, today LP has annual global sales of over $500M with more than 1,000 employees located in 50+ countries worldwide. LP is recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, a top 3PL provider, a top 100 logistics company, a top freight brokerage and warehousing provider, and a great place to work. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the PLUS in LOGISTICS by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
Logistics Plus, once again, has been profiled as a top third-party logistics (3PL) company by Inbound Logistics magazine for its annual Logistics Planner. In its 32nd year of publication, the 2024 industry planner helps companies find the right technology solutions and transportation and logistics partners to drive supply chain efficiency. With both print and digital editions, the annual issue is updated with profiles of leaders in transportation, technology, logistics, and more who stand ready to help businesses face upcoming challenges to optimize their supply chains.
Logistics Plus Secures Customs Bonding for New Strongsville, OH Warehouse
Additional Customs bonding is expected soon at many of its other warehouses across the U.S.
ERIE, PA (January 30, 2024) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, has secured Customs bonding from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) at its new warehouse located south of Cleveland, OH. The 165 thousand square foot warehouse located in Strongsville, OH, was officially opened late last year. Additional Customs bonds are in progress for Logistics Plus warehouses in Phoenix, AZ, Chicago, IL, Memphis, TN, and Dallas, TX.
Customs bonded warehouses are a type of warehouse where goods can be stored and processed before paying taxes. The primary users of bonded warehouses are importers and exporters who need to store goods temporarily before shipping them to their final destination.
Benefits of using a Customs bonded warehouse include:
Avoiding expensive terminal fees associated with withhold release orders (WRO) holds for shipments reviewed for the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
Allows importers to delay paying duties on their imported goods.
If the goods are destroyed under CBP supervision, no duty is payable.
Goods stored in a bonded warehouse are exempt from customs inspections, saving the importer time and money.
Offers increased security for goods because Customs officials monitor them.
Under CBP supervision, goods can be manipulated by cleaning, sorting, repacking, or otherwise changing their condition by processes that do not amount to manufacturing.
Goods may be exported without the payment of duty, or they may be withdrawn for consumption upon payment of duty at the rate applicable to the goods in their manipulated condition at the time of withdrawal.
Goods may remain in the bonded warehouse for up to five years from the date of importation, allowing the importer additional time to handle the paperwork and legal formalities.
“Many bonded warehouses across the U.S. are private, meaning they are dedicated to only one importer,” said Gretchen Blough, Customs Brokerage Manager for Logistics Plus. “This means that bonded warehouse space is very scarce and at a premium when it can be found. We decided to create our own bonded warehouse space with our existing public warehouses so our customers have better options than what is currently available in the warehousing market.”
About Logistics Plus, Inc.
Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP) is a 21st-century logistics company and a leading worldwide provider of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, global logistics, business intelligence, technology, and supply chain solutions. LP works in the background to help businesses manage their supply chains in an ever-changing world. Founded in 1996, today LP has annual global sales of over $500M with more than 1,000 employees located in 50+ countries worldwide. LP is recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, a top 3PL provider, a top 100 logistics company, a top freight brokerage and warehousing provider, and a great place to work. With a Passion For Excellence™, its employees put the PLUS in LOGISTICS by doing the big things properly, plus the countless little things that together ensure complete customer satisfaction and success.
Gretchen Blough, customs brokerage manager, and Scott Motter, manager of safety, compliance, and warehousing, were both featured on the weekly Business Spotlight program from WPSE Money Radio. Business Spotlight is a 30-minute program airing Fridays and Saturdays at noon. Each segment focuses on a business or organization that is making an impact across the region.
ERIE, PA (February 6, 2024) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a global leader in transportation, logistics, and unique supply chain solutions, is proud to be 
Dayton Freight: Diamond Award. It’s the eighth consecutive year Dayton has been honored.
ERIE, PA (January 30, 2024) – Logistics Plus, Inc. (LP), a leading worldwide provider of transportation, logistics, and supply chain solutions, has secured Customs bonding from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (