The following is a reprint of a guest post that was written for and appeared on the ICIC.org Blog yesterday
Logistics 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.
DevelopErie presents award to Logistics Plus CEO for its non-manufacturing category
ERIE, 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.
Logistics Plus Coordinates Delivery of Monster-Sized Trailer
Massive Rogers Brothers Corporation Trailer Moved from Albion, PA to Houston, TX
ERIE, 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.
Congratulations on creating your new retail business! You’ve set up a cool new website, you’ve found a low-cost source for your merchandise using overseas manufacturing, and you have seller accounts set up on Amazon.com and eBay.com. Now you need to get your products into the United States and deliver them to your warehouse or fulfillment centers. Unfortunately, incoterms, customs regulations, duties, and freight transportation are not your areas of expertise. No worries, Logistics Plus has helped many other retailers, just like you, get their products imported and delivered to where they need to go – easily, quickly, and affordably.
When you work with us for your import shipping, you get access to the entire Logistics Plus® network of resources. That’s over 350 talented and dedicated logistics professionals in nearly 40 offices across 20 countries; capabilities across all modes of transportation, including air, ocean, ground, and rail; and expertise in customs brokerage, regulations, duties, tariffs, taxes, documentation, and everything else involved in importing goods from a foreign country. Importing to Amazon fulfillment centers doesn’t have to be worrisome or complex. Whether you need only freight shipping from the U.S. port to your fulfillment center or complete door-to-door transportation from the manufacturer to the destination – Logistics Plus can help you with it all. And if you’re also selling your goods in Europe, Asia or elsewhere – we can help you with those moves too.
You have a retail business to run and products to sell – that’s your specialty. If you’d like to keep your focus on that part of your business, let us help you with the logistics side of things. Join the countless other retailers who turned to Logistics Plus for their imports and international shipping needs. You’ll quickly discover how we put the “plus” in logistics by doing all of the little things you need to succeed! To get started, send us an email to quotes@logisticsplus.com or give us a call at 1.866.LOG.PLUS! (1.866.564.7587).
WICU-12-WSEE-TV, an Erie, PA-based news affiliate, recently aired the following feature on Logistics Plus. The segment was part of the station’s coverage of the DevelopErie’s Employer of the Year finalists announced in December. There are six area companies that are finalists for the top award. The 2014 Erie County Employer of the Year will be unveiled by DevelopErie at the Annual Awards Dinner on January 22, 2015, at the Bayfront Convention Center in Downtown Erie.
A project almost two years in the making came together yesterday for Logistics Plus and our customer Rogers Brothers Corporation. Rogers Brothers, manufacturer of ROGERS® low-bed heavy-hauler semi-trailers, designed and constructed the largest trailer they have manufactured since WWII for their customer, Southern Peru Copper Mine Corp. The monster-sized 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 weighs 94 tons, 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 (i.e., no air) and weighs close to 1,000 pounds. This one trailer is so big, that Logistics Plus needed to coordinate six over-dimensional trailer loads to legally move it on U.S. highways.
Rogers Brothers trusted Logistics Plus to coordinate the movement of the trailer from its manufacturing facility in Albion, PA to a warehouse at the Port of Houston in Texas, where the end customer will ship the trailer via ocean breakbulk to Peru. Many Logistics Plus team members – including Andy Seidler, Matt Bosko, Abi Lopez, Gretchen Seth, Craig Warnshuis, Gretchen Blough, Jeremy Chaffee, and others – were 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.
Logistics Plus team members, Gretchen Blough and Jeremy Chaffee were onsite yesterday at Rogers Brothers to help coordinate the final details, including trucks, drivers, riggers, and paperwork. As often is the case, some ‘behind the scenes’ hiccups and weather issues made things interesting. In the end, however, the combined team battled through a snowstorm, ice, and cold to load all six truckloads in just over eight hours. The customer is very pleased, and everything is proceeding on schedule to deliver to Houston.
If you have big, unique, or challenging project cargo as described here, then contact us and let our Logistics Plus specialists go to work for you too.
Logistics 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.
ERIE, 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.
ERIE, 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.
