by Scott Frederick | Apr 7, 2015 | News
Mark your calendars! The 2015 Beer Run will be on May 16th at 10:00 am at Union Station in downtown Erie, PA. The event is presented by Logistics Plus, The Brewerie, and the American Heart Association (AHA), with proceeds going to benefit the AHA. Registration is between 8:00 and 9:00 am. You can pickup your “team” registration forms ahead of time at The Brewerie any time. You can also download the registration form from their website.
Run. Drink. Repeat. We hope to see everyone there!
by Scott Frederick | Mar 12, 2015 | News
This morning, Logistics Plus hosted the American Heart Association (AHA) 2015 Erie Leadership Breakfast in the banquet facilities at its Global Headquarters at Union Station. Executives and leaders across Erie gathered for breakfast and to discuss opportunities to improve health and wellness within the community.
Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus, gave a short keynote to open the meeting. Jim emphasized the benefits of investing in wellness and the positive impact it can have for companies and employees. Jim was followed by Todd Steele, director of operations forEmergycare, who shared current statistics on heart- and stroke-related incidents and talked about how companies can best prepare for these life-saving opportunities.
Gina Klofft, division director for AHA Erie, talked about upcoming opportunities to raise awareness and improve health and wellness, including the AHA Fit-Friendly Program and the upcoming Erie County Heart Walk on September 12, 2015. She also formally presented Logistics Plus with its 2014 Fit-Friendly Worksite Gold Achievement Award.
After the breakfast was finished, Jim Berlin gave the participants a tour of the historic Union Station, and Alex Wagner, head personal trainer for Logistics Plus, gave a tour of the on-site fitness center.
You can visit www.heart.org if you’re interested in learning more about the American Heart Association. Please visit www.logisticsplus.com to learn more about Logistics Plus services.
by Scott Frederick | Feb 10, 2015 | News
Join Logistics Plus at The Brewerie at Union Station on Tuesday, February 17th at 5:00 PM for a fun evening to benefit the American Heart Association.
Dine United and Celebrate Fat Tuesday in Authentic Mardi Gra Fasion while enjoying Dixieland Jazz and Cajun Cuisine.
Plus, Guest Bartending with Logistics Plus!
by Scott Frederick | Feb 4, 2015 | News
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.
by logisticsplus | Jan 5, 2015 | News
As we start the New Year, at Logistics Plus we’d like to confirm that we are very proud of the communities in which we reside, which is why we actively work to improve our local neighborhoods and the lives of our fellow citizens. We do this, in large part, as a result of the loyalty and support of our great customers, partners, and employees. We are particularly proud of the work our CEO and founder, Jim Berlin, has done to improve and vitalize downtown Erie, Pennsylvania – home to our global headquarters.
Here are some of the community projects and charities that we continued to support in 2014:
- Investments in downtown Erie, PA revitalization, including the continued revitalization of historic Union Station, the purchase of the historic Skinner Engine building a year ago, as well as murals and paintings in and around downtown Erie, PA welcoming visitors and encouraging further economic development.
- Local internship program that has provided valuable experience to nearly a hundred local college students and created many unique, post-graduation career opportunities – including dozens of them here at Logistics Plus.
- Annual contributions to United Way, with additional gift-giving by Logistics Plus employees through automatic payroll deductions.
- Charitable support of the March of Dimes, including sponsorship of local fund-raising events.
- Leading fund-raising efforts for the American Heart Association leading up to, and including its annual Heart Walk event.
- Corporate sponsorship of the Walk MS: Erie event in support of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- Annual sponsorship and participation at regional Make A Wish Foundation events.
- Support for the Barber National Institute and its pursuit to making dreams come true with community-based services for individuals with disabilities.
- Annual support of Grady’s Decision charity, a non-profit organization that was created to present help families experiencing premature births as well as those families with children needing specialized medical attention.
- Employees participate in a charity of the week prize raffles at our Global Headquarters every Friday, raising thousands of dollars for special local charities.
- Numerous other local donations and support of memorial funds, fund-raising events, community gifts, and family help as identified by Logistics Plus friends and family.
Thank you again to our employees, partners, and customers for your support in 2014, and your continued support in 2015. We promise we’ll continue to give back when and where we can, just as we always have.
