From closures and the never-ending driver shortage to fighting labor costs and adjusting to electrification, it's been quite the year for third-party logistics (3PL) providers. Yet 3PLs and cold storage providers remain a key puzzle piece to building and nurturing partnerships, cultivating resilience and helping companies in the cold food space overcome supply chain disruptions.
That's why it's important we honor and celebrate the top 3PLs and cold storage providers, both nationally and internationally.
Meet the winners of this year's Top 3PL and Cold Storage Providers award.
Many of this year’s winners offer a variety of 3PL services, with the top being LTL/TL (80% of winners), refrigerated trucking (79%), and truckload brokerage (77%), while many of the top cold storage services offered are cold storage (78%), cross docking (73%), warehousing/distribution management (72%) and fulfillment and EDI capabilities tied at 70%.
And, 42% of companies service North America.
Seventy-six percent of the winners plan to invest in software solutions this year, with 72% investing in warehouse management systems/transportation management systems (WMS/TMS). This is indicative of how forward-thinking these 3PLs and cold storage providers are, and how despite disruptions and other challenges, they continue to forge ahead.
CLICK HERE to learn more about all of our winners.
NEW THIS YEAR: There is one overall winner for Top 3PL and one overall winner for Top Cold Storage Providers, in addition to the regular winners.
Overall Top 3PL winner
Truckstop
https://truckstop.com
Truckstop, our 2024 overall Top 3PL winner, is a trusted partner for carriers, brokers, and shippers, empowering the freight community through a platform of innovative solutions for the entire freight lifecycle to increase efficiency, automate processes, and accelerate growth. This year, Truckstop introduced new security enhancements for brokers using its RMIS system, aimed at improving safety and trust within networks. These advancements include a sophisticated identity verification process that requires carriers to validate their identities annually or upon ID expiration by comparing their government-issued identification against a real-time photograph. Additionally, an enhanced multi-factor authentication (MFA) feature protects against compromised credentials, facilitating secure and smooth access to both Truckstop and RMIS platforms.
Dedicated to innovative technology that enhances the freight process, Truckstop also announced new patent filings, including one for generative AI in freight solutions; and introduced Load Alert Notifications, which allows carriers and brokers to access legitimate freight and trusted capacity more quickly and at scale. Other noteworthy achievements include Truckstop’s acquisition of the FreightFriend platform; and developing an exclusive partnership with Carrier Assure to enhance carrier vetting within the RMIS platform. This partnership represents a significant step forward in improving the efficiency and reliability of carrier onboarding and monitoring and showcases a commitment to advancing industry standards. CLICK HERE to watch our exclusive interview with Brent Hutto, chief relationship officer for Truckstop.
Overall Top Cold Storage Provider winner
Stoecklin Logistics
www.stoecklin.com/en-us
To meet evolving e-commerce demands and ensure freshness and quality, Stoecklin Logistics, a leading provider of automated material handling and warehouse storage systems and this year's overall Top Cold Storage Providers winner, continues to deliver innovative logistics solutions to more than 1,200 customers worldwide. In 2023, the company launched the Stoecklin CasePicker, designed to help minimize waste in fresh food distribution. The gripper allows different returnable and disposable containers to be picked immediately after one another, can operate in freshness zones ranging from 39.2°F to 57.2°F and can handle up to 135,000 cases of fresh fruit and vegetables a day. Further reducing energy waste, Stoecklin’s AGV and forklift fleets are equipped with energy management solutions that include energy recovery, IT-supported journey optimization, adaptive dynamics and minimization of emission sound pressure in rack handling and conveyor systems. Additionally, Stoecklin Logistics is helping leading cold storage companies achieve long-term success with solutions that ensure simple modular integration to reduce manual labor and promote healthier working environments. CLICK HERE to read our exclusive interview with Danilo Potocnik, head of sales for Stoecklin.
CLICK HERE to learn more about all of our winners.
Here are a couple of additional standouts:
DSW Distribution Centers, Inc.
www.dswdist.com
DSW is a 51-year-old family-owned food-grade and multi-temperature-controlled third-party logistics company specializing in perishable food products, beverages, organics, pharmaceuticals, and general commodities. DSW is SQF Level 2 GFSI-Certified with a Costco Addendum with Excellent Rating Scores. It's also USDA NOP-Organic Certified, Alcoholic Beverage Licensed and holds over 12 State Board of Pharmacy Licenses. DSW packs VIP variety packs and shrink packs and trays for over 40 customers worldwide. It maintains alliances with other companies for port drayage, customs brokerage and freight forwarding, national transportation and distribution centers across the nation, and provides full LTL/TL transportation services, retailer compliance programs, website shopping cart e-commerce fulfillment, international export labeling, EDI/XML/CSV/FTP automation, heat-shrinking and more.
MoLo Solutions
www.shipmolo.com
MoLo, a service of ArcBest, provides best-in-class truckload brokerage services across North America, connecting shippers and carriers to deliver products when and where they’re needed. Backed by ArcBest’s reliable asset-based system, MoLo offers the capacity to scale and keep supply chains moving and businesses growing. ArcBest's trusted asset-based system includes ArcBest's dedicated fleet, the Panther expedite fleet, ABF Freight equipment, and company-owned flatbeds, trailers, dry vans, rail containers, and refrigerated trailers. In addition to an account team built around their needs, customers can always reach MoLo's 24/7 track-and-trace, after-hours and weekend operations support teams.
Romark Logistics
https://romarklogistics.com
Romark Logistics is a comprehensive, technology-driven logistics company, providing innovative, tailored supply chain solutions. With roots dating back to 1954, Romark has expanded strategically, encompassing more than 10 million square feet of owned or managed industrial real estate in key locations throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, California, and Arkansas, with an additional 12 million square feet through a joint venture with Woodmont Industrial. Embracing early adoption of cutting-edge automation, technology, and e-commerce solutions has further elevated its top-tier service, catering to fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage companies. As part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives, Romark earned the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LoCT) GHG Scope 1, 2, and 3 Footprint badges, highlighting the company's dedication to reducing its environmental impact, conserving resources, and assisting clients in achieving their green objectives. Romark optimizes warehouse operations for maximum efficiency and service excellence by leveraging leading-edge technology such as robotics. Advanced systems like very narrow aisle environments (VNAs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) enhance warehouse processes, ensuring seamless operations. Romark utilizes drone inventory management to provide real-time insights and enhance inventory tracking accuracy. And, through strategic partnerships with the New Jersey Innovation Institute, technological advancements, and a focus on sustainability, Romark demonstrates its broader commitment to harnessing technology and innovation to drive industry-leading solutions.
CLICK HERE to learn more about all of our winners.
