by Scott Frederick | Sep 23, 2015 | News
Launched in 2004, SmartWay® is an EPA program that helps the freight transportation sector improve supply chain efficiency. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a strong government/industry collaboration between freight shippers, carriers, logistics companies and other stakeholders, to voluntarily achieve improved fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impacts from freight transport. Participating companies, like Logistics Plus, use performance based quantification and reporting tools that benchmark and inform industry and the marketplace on freight operations, energy and environmental efficiency. SmartWay partners demonstrate to customers, clients, and investors that they are taking responsibility for the emissions associated with goods movement, are committed to corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices, and are reducing their carbon footprint. To date, the partnership includes nearly 3,000 companies and associations committed to improving fuel efficiency. You can learn more about the partnership here.
Fast Facts About SmartWay Transport Partnership
SmartWay is a partnership between EPA and large and small trucking companies, rail carriers, logistics companies, commercial manufacturers, retailers, and other federal and state agencies. Collectively achieved (cumulative, 2004 – now):
- Over 3,000 partners
- $20.6 billion dollars in fuel costs saved
- Saved 144.3 million barrels of oil — the equivalent of taking over 13 million cars off the road for an entire year.
- 61.7 million metric tons CO2 reductions
- 1,070,000 tons NOx reductions
- 43,000 tons PM reductions
by Scott Frederick | Sep 22, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Now Provides Logistics Financing Solutions
Strategic Partnership with WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. Allows Customers to Finance International Trade
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, September 22, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc. (LP), a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, has established a strategic partnership with WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. (WBC), a commercial finance company, to provide term loans for companies exporting and investing overseas, and for foreign companies selling and investing in the United States.
Logistics Plus will offer the new financing solution to customers in conjunction with its international logistics, consignment warehousing, and forthcoming foreign trade zone (FTZ) operations. As part of the program, attractive loans of $1 million to $10 million will be made available to companies that need to finance their international trade activities. This includes permanent working capital, equipment purchases, facility construction and acquisitions, corporate buyouts, joint ventures, debt refinancing, and other related investments.
“WBC works with a full range of U.S. and foreign government-supported international financing programs to procure favorable loan terms for companies who wish to participate in the global market,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “So overseas customers of ours who export to the U.S. or elsewhere, and to U.S. customers who are looking to create or expand their global presence, the LP/WBC solution can provide them ready cash to help them do so.”
To learn more about LP/WBC logistics financing solutions, please visit www.logisticsplus.com/WBC
About WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. (WBC)
WBC is a commercial finance company that offers flexible term loans helping small and midsize businesses complete in the global marketplace. Founded in 2003, WBC is a direct lender staffed by multilingual professionals with many years of experience in cross-border trade and project finance. The WBC team has a proven track record of successfully closed loans around the world. You can learn more about them at www.worldbusinesscapital.com
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 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; Charlotte, NC; 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; UAE; 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
[email protected]
by Scott Frederick | Sep 21, 2015 | News
How do you to fit 3.9m wide flanges through a 3.4m wide aircraft cargo door? You consult with the project cargo experts at Logistics Plus, of course. Read more about this project cargo solution in a new logistics case study from Frederik Geirnaert, project manager for Logistics Plus Belgium. The case study includes a brief summary, a downloadable PDF with more details, and a photo gallery. Go to the case study page by clicking the image to the right or the button below.
by Scott Frederick | Sep 16, 2015 | News
The Erie Time-News published an article entitled “Logistics Plus in Erie brings casual approach to corporate success” in today’s paper (and online at goerie.com). It’s a nice little article with some great photographs – and we appreciate the time their staff writer spent interviewing our team, and the “inside look” he shared regarding our company’s culture.
The piece is nicely written, but I fear the forest may have been lost for the trees in the translation. While the article talks about our many non-standard practices, e.g., extremely casual attire, lack of budgets and plans, goofy personality of our CEO, etc., it doesn’t fully connect the dots as to how and why this has all been so successful. Great “managers” have budgets and plans; however, great “leaders” are beyond these standard business tools. Mr. Berlin is one such individual. Yes, he wears a t-shirt, tennis shoes, and jeans; tells funny stories; and hasn’t read our policy manual in over 10 years – but what he does do each and every day is show emotion, compassion and support for his employees and his business. A day hasn’t gone by where Jim hasn’t preached that “Logistics Plus is the company that gives a sh*t” and that we need to show our customers that is truly the case at all times. So while our company culture may seem casual and different, it has fostered an employee base that began as 3 and is now over 350, and one that has real passion for serving its customers, growing the business, and achieving success (over $120M worth of success, mind you, mostly through business referrals and customer testimonials, and as Jim often says of our employees “finding a way to YES!”).
It is true our employees enjoy the onsite fitness center, corporate trainer and free meals; but when they’re back at their desks they are working hard – often beyond normal business hours – to support the business. They know they are fully empowered to “do what’s right” for our customers and the business, and to think out-of-the-box to get the job done. And what’s great is that they also know if they make a mistake, they’ll simply get a hug from the CEO and pat on the back (and, of course, told “now, don’t do that again, right?”). I’ve been around a lot of big companies, and you won’t find that approach in too many company policy manuals, nor will you find many companies that will go the extra mile every day for their customers like Logistics Plus does.
Read the Erie Times-News Article
View the Erie Times-New Photo Gallery
by Scott Frederick | Sep 15, 2015 | News
Yesterday we reported how many Logistics Plus employees participated in this past Saturday’s Erie County Heart Walk event. Not to be forgotten is the annual Logistics Plus sponsorship of the Barber Beast on the Bay event which also took place this past Saturday (September 12, 2015). In addition to the company sponsorship, many Logistics Plus employees participated in this challenging event, including Alfredo Ayala, Jessica Skitka, and Judy Rowe. In fact, Judy’s son Adam Rowe finished fourth overall in the event.
Barber Beast on the Bay is a fundraising event to help support the Barber National Institute and its work with children and adults with disabilities. Spectators were encouraged to cheer participants along the courses and to join in the post-event party at Waldameer Picnic Groves. The main events include a grueling 10-mile extreme obstacle course challenge at Presque Isle State Park and a 1.2 mile adapted course for participants with physical or developmental disabilities. Not only does the Barber Beast on the Bay event raise awareness for a great cause, but it also brings the community together for a fun experience. Although the 2015 event was another success, final figures haven’t yet been reported. Last year the event raised $63,194 for the Institute, with proceeds benefiting more than 4,200 children and adults with disabilities.
The slideshow below contains a few photographs taken by LP employees at the event. Thank you again for supporting the community!
by Scott Frederick | Sep 14, 2015 | News
This past Saturday, Logistics Plus employees participated in the American Heart Association’s Erie County Heart Walk – one of 263 AHA Heart Walk events around the country. Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus, was the chairperson for the 2015 community event which raised over $100,000 to help save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers – heart disease and stroke. In addition to large contributions from Logistics Plus and other area companies, a 58-member Logistics Plus employee team raised a sizable amount of funds through local donations and support – many of whom also participated in the annual walk on Saturday (despite some chilly weather conditions).
The Erie County Heart Walk is designed to promote physical activity, heart-healthy living, and an environment that’s fun and rewarding for the entire family. Jim kicked off the event by sharing some informational and inspirational comments. Next, Alex Wagner, corporate fitness trainer for Logistics Plus, led the group in some muscle stretching exercises. When it was time to walk, Jim asked the ‘Shoup family’ (including two-year heart survivor, Tanner Shoup) to do the honor of leading the walk. You can watch the short video below which includes Jim’s opening talk and additional photographs from the event. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, and/or participated in this year’s event!
