Top logistics companies in the USA

The top logistics companies in the USA offer effective solutions for supply chain management, analytics and more. Many can be integrated with existing business structures to streamline operations. These companies are more than a shipping solution: they provide key solutions to business pain points to improve workflow and increase revenue. 

Quicklook: Top Logistics Companies in the USA

• Best For Global Shipping and Order Fulfillment: C.H. Robinson Worldwide
• Best For Freight Brokerage and Supply Chain Consulting: XPO Logistics
• Best For Air/Ocean Freight Forwarding: UPS Supply Chain Solutions
• Best For Returned Goods Management: Expeditors International
• Best For Dedicated Contract Carriage: J.B. Hunt

5 Top Logistics Companies in the USA

These top logistics companies offer exceptional value, service, reliable deliveries and logistics solutions for a variety of businesses. Consider these top five logistics companies for all of your supply chain and logistics needs. 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide

Our second pick, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, is headquartered in Eden, Prairie, Minnesota. They offer a full suite of logistical solutions, including freight forwarding and supply chain consulting while striving to avoid unexpected costs in the changing freight market and global supply chain. C.H. Robinson Worldwide is an excellent choice for businesses that need global shipping and order fulfillment services, with specialized services in China and Southeast Asia. 

Best For: Global Shipping Solutions

Location: 14701 Charlson Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

Services: 

• Air/ocean freight forwarding
• Contract carriage
• Transportation management
• Fulfillment

Employees: 

• Over 16,800 full-time employees 
• Thousands of contractors

Revenue: $23.1 billion

Special Features:

• Consulting services
• Complete supply chain services
• Custom brokerage solutions

Benefits:

• Prompt email responses
• Massive transportation network
• Can handle all logistics needs in-house

Disadvantages:

• Difficult to reach customer support by phone

Pricing: 

• Varies 
• Depends on services requested

XPO Logistics

XPO Logistics are innovation leaders in truck brokerage and less-than-truckload freight transportation based in Greenwich, Connecticut. They offer comprehensive services to meet the needs of any business, including international logistics and large capacity shipments. Their primary services include warehousing, distribution, freight forwarding and supply chain consulting. XPO also provides order fulfillment solutions.

Best For: Supply Chain and Consulting Solutions

Location: 5 American Ln, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831

Services: 

• Freight forwarding
• Contract carriage
• Returned goods management
• Distribution

Employees: 100,000

Revenue: $12.81 billion

Special Features:

• Consulting
• Complete supply chain management
• Returned goods management

Benefits:

• Strong industry reputation
• Dedicated carriers
• Offices across dozens of countries

Disadvantages:

• A bit more expensive than some other providers

Pricing: XPO Logistics tends to cost slightly more than some other logistics providers, especially when dealing with small quantities of merchandise. As with the other carriers, pricing varies based on the services requested.

UPS Supply Chain Solutions

UPS Supply Chain Solutions is the logistics division of the long-standing freight company. UPS SCS can provide clients with solutions to address any aspect of supply chain management, including brokerage services, inventory management, transportation and customs clearance.

Best For: Freight Forwarding

Location: Alpharetta, GA

Services: 

• Air and ocean freight forwarding
• Supply chain management
• Order fulfillment

Employees: 534,000 

Revenue: $84.63 billion

Special Features:

• Extensive domestic shipping network
• Flexible shipping options

Benefits:

• Rapid delivery capabilities
• Exceptional customer service
• Reliable order fulfillment

Disadvantages:

• Order tracking limited to 90-day window

Pricing: Contact for pricing

Expeditors International of Washington

Expeditors International of Washington, based in Seattle, has been in the business for more than 40 years. This company offers exceptional returned goods management services as well as warehousing and freight forwarding. For companies with a large volume of consumer goods, Expeditors International of Washington’s full-service fulfillment solutions are a good solution. They also offer LCL solutions, global logistics, supply chain, transportation, customs and compliance and more. 

Best For: Returned Goods Management

Location: Seattle, WA

Services: 

• Ocean freight
• Air freight
• Warehousing

Employees: 19,500

Revenue: $8.1 billion

Special Features:

Experience with the defense industry

Cross-border services

Benefits:

• Superior returned goods management services
• Cross-border ground shipping is available
• Extensive domestic warehousing and distribution network

Disadvantages:

• No dedicated carrier options
• No freight brokerage

Pricing: Contact for pricing

J.B Hunt Transport Services

Rounding out our list of top logistics companies is J.B. Hunt Transport Services. This provider offers a well-rounded group of services and expertise in a variety of industries. J.B Hunt Transport Services is a great choice for businesses that need domestic logistics services. They offer advanced technology to expand your company’s capacity to deliver while creating value for customers.

Best For: Dedicated Contract Carriage

Location: Lowell, AR

Services:

• Freight brokerage
• Dedicated shipping
• Logistics consulting

Employees: 29,000

Revenue: $9.16 billion

Special Features:

• Cross-border shipping
• Expert consulting services

Benefits:

• Expertise with industry-specific shipping requirements
• Dedicated shipping services
• Affordable freight brokerage

Disadvantages:

• No freight forwarding services
• Focuses on domestic and North American logistics

Pricing: Contact for pricing

What Is a Logistics Company?

A logistics company is a third-party fulfillment company, often called a 3PL, that provides solutions for every stage of supply chain management. A logistics company helps businesses organize the movement, delivery and warehousing of products or materials. A logistics company has a team of experts that understand the complexities of supply chain management to improve efficiency and delivery of goods.

Many top logistics companies also offer fulfillment services like receiving orders and packaging products, as well as receiving, processing and storing inventory from merchants.

How Does a Logistics Company Work?

Logistics companies assist in every stage of the supply chain, including the movement and storage of goods, services or information. A logistics company will start by assessing the needs of your organization. They will then develop a plan to move your products or materials from the point of origin to a fulfillment center or warehouse. 

Once there, the products or materials will then be distributed to satellite facilities, shipped to other regions or delivered to end-point customers. Logistics companies also offer comprehensive analytics to improve delivery times and company efficiency.

Things To Consider With Logistics Companies

Logistics companies can be a valuable asset to an organization, leading to increase profit margins and greater customer satisfaction. The key is to partner with the right team. Before making your final decision, we recommend that you consider factors like:

Expertise

Industry expertise is essential for the right fit. Many logistics companies specialize in certain types of businesses – find one that matches your company profile. Be sure to ask if the logistics company has experience partnering with clients in your industry. In highly regulated industries, such as gas or oil, expertise is even more important. 

Customer Service

Customer service is a vital part of logistics, especially if you need fulfillment services as well. Remember that the customer is king. If the logistics company offers customer-facing services, make sure they are exceptional. 

Many of the companies discussed above offer fulfillment services, return order management or customer support. While carrying out those roles, the company will be representing your brand. If a logistics team has a reputation for providing poor customer service, then working with them can ultimately harm your company’s reputation. 

Technology

The top logistics companies leverage the latest tools and technologies to make your life easier. As you’re speaking with prospective partners, ask about the software they use. 

Find out how much control you will have over your shipments and how advanced the tracking capabilities are. Technology is always changing, so make sure you choose a logistics partner that regularly updates their systems with the latest industry standards. 

Credibility

You’ll often have to trust a logistics provider with valuable resources and assets. Like customer service, a logistics company’s credibility will reflect back on your organization. If a particular company has a reputation for frequently delivering shipments late, you may want to find another partner for your supply chain needs.

While even the best logistics companies will occasionally receive a bad review, it is important that you are aware of trends in their service. Reading a large number of user reviews can provide valuable insights into a logistics company’s credibility.

Network of Locations

Most major logistics firms have maps on their websites that identify where their facilities are located. Compare this map against your service areas to ensure that the company has the resources in place to meet your logistics needs. 

The ideal fit for your company will have a large network of facilities and resources. For instance, if you need international shipping services, then you shouldn’t partner with a provider that has no locations outside of the U.S. On the other hand, some logistics companies have specialized networks in certain regions, like Europe or Southeast Asia. 

Safety

Strong insurance and an excellent safety record are an important factor in any logistics company. The top logistics companies offer adequate insurance options to protect your assets. They also have a reputation for delivering goods safely and on time. 

As you’re speaking with prospective logistics providers for your company, ask about the strategies that they use to protect customer shipments.

Real-Time Data

Both your company and the end customer will benefit from real time data and live tracking. When you choose a logistics provider, make sure that they are equipped to provide you with easy access to real-time data about the location and status of your shipments. 

You should be able to quickly locate your shipments anytime, day or night. Additionally, you should be able to verify an accurate inventory count so that you know when it is time to reorder materials or products.

Top Logistics Companies To Streamline Operations

While these top logistics companies are all based in the USA, they provide global logistics solutions for companies of all sizes. Logistics is a behind-the-scenes type of management that can make or break businesses of all sizes. Finding the right fit for logistics solutions can improve efficiency, increase company growth and customer satisfaction.

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