by Scott Frederick | Oct 13, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Partners with Erie International Airport and Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority to Activate New FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
The ERI FTZ will provide regional businesses deferred, potentially reduced or eliminated, Customs duties, and reduced door-to-door transportation expenses.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, October 14, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, announced today that it has added a new and significant cost and time savings option to its portfolio of available client services: the implementation and use of Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) protocols.
Since 1934, and all across America, U.S. Foreign Trade Zones have proven to be enormously successful examples of ‘public-private partnerships’; wherein regionally-focused public agencies support and coordinate their efforts with businesses to foster opportunities to increase job creation, expand capital investment, and expedite economic development by facilitating global trade.
The new general purpose ERI Foreign Trade Zone (ERI FTZ) warehousing and distribution facility is located on Tom Ridge Field at Erie International Airport (ERI); and was accomplished in close cooperation with ERI, and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority (Port Erie), the Grantee of Foreign Trade Zone #247.
To introduce and celebrate the launch of the activated ERI FTZ, there will be a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3837 West 20th Street (the former Penn-Brass building) in Erie, PA on October, 22nd, at 3:30 pm. Immediately following the ceremony, Logistics Plus will host an informational reception at The Brewerie at Union Station, located directly below its 1406 Peach Street global headquarters. Leaders from regional businesses that already are, or intend to be, actively involved in world trade, are invited to attend.
Port Erie and ERI filed applications and received grants of authority for Foreign Trade Zone status from the U.S. Foreign Trade Zones Board in Washington. Under a contractual agreement with ERI, Logistics Plus filed and secured activated status for the site from Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and will operate FTZ warehousing and distribution facilities on the airport property.
“We’re very excited about this new partnership with Erie International Airport and Port Erie, and the long-term economic development prospects it provides to the Erie area,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “Erie International Airport has a great location and facility, while Logistics Plus has the knowledge, experience, equipment, software, and expertise to make this FTZ partnership very successful.”
Thousands of U.S. businesses have discovered that Foreign Trade Zone utilization can prove to be an incredibly effective tool to help develop new markets while systemically increasing profitability from both their existing operations and international trade relationships. CBP has declared FTZs to be the best practice for compliant management of global supply chains, coordinated logistics, and integrated manufacturing operations. FTZs enable importers and exporters to consistently benefit from this CBP-privileged status; offering duty savings, reduced transportation and insurance costs, and the flexibility to do in America, what is too often done off-shore. This includes packaging, kits, labeling, sorting, assembling, processing or manufacturing. If the finished products are exported from an FTZ, the original Customs duties are reduced ($79B in CY 2013).
“I am impressed with how quickly Logistics Plus was able to get this public-use foreign trade zone activated and business-ready,” said Christopher L. Rogers, Executive Director at Erie International Airport. “Combined with our recently extended runway and other economic projects, Erie International Airport has expanded beyond passenger-only transportation – we are also a capable hub for air cargo and global commerce.”
To learn more about the ERI FTZ powered by Logistics Plus, please visit www.logisticsplus.com/ERI-FTZ
About Erie International Airport (ERI)
Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field is managed and operated by the Erie Regional Airport Authority. It is served by three major airlines: Delta, United, and American with nonstop flights to three major cities and connections to over 1,100 different destinations. North Coast Air, located on the west side of the airport offers the region’s best in FBO services including fuel and aircraft maintenance. Also located at ERI, the North Coast Flight School is the only FAA fully approved flight training center serving the greater Erie area. The Erie Regional Airport Authority is a Pennsylvania Municipal Corporation established in 1951 under the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act No. 164, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, constructing, improving, maintaining, and operating, owning, leasing, and providing financing for the airport and all facilities necessary or incident thereto. Learn more at www.erieairport.org
About Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority (Port of Erie)
The Port of Erie is located on the southeast shore of Lake Erie in a natural bay formed and sheltered by Presque Isle, Pennsylvania. Erie´s harbor entrance channel is 29 feet deep. The Port of Erie and O-N Minerals Erie offer cargo shippers on the Great Lakes/Seaway System the finest facilities available. With 85 million people within a 500 mile radius, Port Erie is at the hub of the US and Canadian Industrial Center. Learn more at www.porterie.org
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
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
by Scott Frederick | Oct 6, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Nominated for Two Disrupt Erie Awards
Jim Berlin nominated for Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year and LP Linguistic Solutions nominated for Startup of the Year
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, October 6, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc. (LP), a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, is proud to announce that it has been nominated for two Disrupt Erie Awards presented by Innovation Collaborative. The two award nominations are as follows:
Jim Berlin, Founder & CEO of Logistics Plus has been nominated for the Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year Award (What founder’s work do you think has had the most positive impact on our community’s well-being over the past year and why?)- LP Linguistic Solutions, a subsidiary of Logistics Plus, has been nominated for the Startup of the Year Award (What founder’s company that is less than five years old shows the most promise for continued growth and profitability?)
The Innovation Collaborative is a 501c(3) non-profit organization located in Erie, PA. They are the independent voice for innovators, facilitating, measuring, and communicating progress for northwest PA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to its website, companies nominated for awards are “driving change” within the community and within their respective industries, and are “making a lasting economic impact and creating lasting opportunities.”
Online voting is available from October 5th through October 30th. Winners will be chosen (50%) based on public input and (50%) based on the specific criteria listed on the nomination forms. Final judging will be performed by Mr. Thom Ruhe and the Innovation Collaborative Board of Directors. Winners will be announced at the awards banquet on November 11th at The Clubhouse at Presque Isle Downs and Casino Clubhouse.
To learn more about the Innovation Collaborative and to cast your vote for the Disrupt Erie Awards, please visit https://innovationcollaborators.com/disrupt-erie-voting/
About LP Linguistic Solutions (LP)
Logistics Plus Linguist Solutions was founded by a group of language, logistics and military veterans to fulfill one mission — to raise the bar and set new standards for clients who require language services. Its philosophy is simple; hire the best people, deliver the best work and we do it at a fair and competitive price. Its employee family is comprised of ethnically diverse and culturally aware seasoned professionals in the fields of language services and training, recruiting, intelligence, security, logistics, information technology, government relations and military operations. Learn more at www.lplinguisticsolutions.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
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
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
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
by Scott Frederick | Sep 17, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Opens New Office in Dubai, UAE
New United Arab Emirates Location Expands Middle East Presence
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, September 17, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, continues to expand its global presence with the opening of a new United Arab Emirates (UAE) office located in the city of Dubai – an emerging global city and business hub for the Middle East and South Asia. It is also a major transport hub for passengers and cargo. The city has become symbolic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. As is customary, the new office was inaugurated with a local prayer ceremony.
Siew Hua will manage operations and business development for Logistics Plus Dubai. Siew Hua brings with her over 20 years of logistics experiences from Asia, India, Middle East and Africa where she implemented many 3PL and 4PL projects for multinational clients such as BP Amoco, Union Carbide, Dow Chemical, Celanese Chemical, Nalco Chemical, Afton Chemical and, most recently, Dow Sadara Chemical.
Suchit Sehgal will manage sales and marketing for Logistics Plus Dubai. He has extensive experience managing logistics for oil and gas companies, wind and thermal power companies, crane manufacturers, seismic companies, dredging companies, and offshore vessels. Suchit has a post-graduate degree in accounting and financial management from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.
Logistics Plus Dubai provides a full range of services that include customs brokerage; ground transportation; movement between the free zones; warehousing for both chemical and temperature control products; open yard storage; airfreight; ocean freight; air charter; and vessel charter.
“I’m very excited about continuing our expansion in the Middle East,” said Jim Berlin, founder and CEO of Logistics Plus. “The addition of Siew and Suchit strengthens our services in the region and gives us more local expertise in yet another important global market.”
About Logistics Plus
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
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
by logisticsplus | Aug 24, 2015 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Logistics Plus Begins 20th Year of Operations
Company has been providing transportation and logistics solutions since August 1996
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, August 24, 2015 – Logistics Plus Inc., a worldwide provider of transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions, will be celebrating the company’s 20th year of operations over the next twelve months. The company is planning a variety of customer promotions and employee events in the coming year in recognition of its forthcoming 20th anniversary in August 2016.
It all started in August 1996 when GE Transportation, a division of General Electric and a locomotive pioneer, gave Logistics Plus founder and CEO, Jim Berlin, a one-year, three-person purchase order to help manage the domestic transportation of parts from more than 1,000 U.S. suppliers. That relationship would grow into a worldwide global supply chain partnership taking the company to Mexico, India, China, Indonesia, and beyond. In 1999, Logistics Plus began growing and diversifying its customer base, adding additional clients within the U.S. and around the world.
As his business grew, Berlin needed to find a global headquarters that would be the right fit for the company’s expanding staff and international culture. The result was the $2 million purchase of the 100,000 square foot historic Union Station in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania in 2003. Following significant renovations, Berlin would hoist flags at the top of the building to signify the many countries and nationalities represented by his employees – a tradition that continues today.
In 2011, Logistics Plus made an important strategic acquisition when it purchased Horizon Logistics with offices located in Dallas, Texas; Lexington, North Carolina; and San Francisco, California. The acquisition would add additional talent, service capabilities, and warehousing space to its growing network. Additional warehousing capacity was recently acquired when the company purchased the old Skinner Engine building in downtown Erie in early 2014. Berlin has also created or invested in a number of other related companies, including NTL, a national truckload services company; LP Linguistic Solutions, a language translation company; and Lynx Fulfillment, a dedicated warehousing and fulfillment company.
Today, as the company enters its 20th year, Logistics Plus has $120 million in annual sales, more than 1,000 active customers, over 380 employees, and nearly 50 offices in 20 countries worldwide. The company was named to the Inc. 5000 list in 2014 for being one of the fastest-growing transportation and logistics companies in the country. This past year the company has received recognition as a top workplace by the DevelopErie economic development agency, a top 50 freight broker by Transport Topics magazine, and a great supply chain partner by SupplyChainBrain magazine.
To learn more about the company and its history, please visit www.logisticsplus.com/about-us
About Logistics Plus
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 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 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; 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
scott.frederick@logisticsplus.com
