GENCO
Started Logistics: 1898
Serves: N. America
HQ: USA
Revenue: $1,509
Employees: 9,914
Warehouses: 140
Sq. Ft.: 36.50 million

The pioneer in reverse logistics is investing millions in Lean logistics, emphasizing the elimination of waste, reduction in variability and technological innovation. Each Genco facility—it has more than 37 million square feet of warehouse space—has a Lean facilitator responsible for completion of value stream maps and engagement of all Genco teammates. The initiatives translate into an average of $30 million in savings for customers.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.
Started Logistics: 1995
Serves: Intl’
HQ: USA
Revenue: $1,301
Employees: 600

Before acting innovatively, you must think that way and Landstar has long thought moving information about a client’s freight is as important as moving freight. Its cost effective software and “Advanced Technology” solutions offer benefits that include no upfront software purchase while providing simplified implementation, something that led Information Week to name the company one of its “Most Innovative IT Users” for eight straight users.

LeSAINT LOGISTICS
Started Logistics: 1983
Serves: N. America
HQ: USA
Revenue: $65
Employees: 350
Warehouses: 14
Sq. Ft.: 4 million

When larger 3PLs couldn’t deliver customized solutions for its retailers, Turtle Wax turned to LeSaint and its “End2End” supply-chain solutions. The company’s ability to react to quickly and efficiently spurred a growing relationship. Turtle Wax’s Jim Mackowiak said: “[LeSaint’s] ability to be nimble and flexible in managing those requirements has given us an upper hand as
we try to manage cost and bring value to our customers.”

LYNNCO SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS, INC.
Started Logistics: 1991
Serves: N. America
HQ: USA
Revenue: $70
Employees: 65

An acknowledged industry leader in innovative transportation management, LynnCo’s solutions stretch to reducing the variable of “bad luck” as its supply-chain dashboards and metrics allow clients to quickly adapt to unplanned events. When a client was having difficulty dealing with unpredictable raw material availability, LynnCo’s accountability solution allowed the client to stabilize production at a savings of more than $750,000 a year.

M&W LOGISTICS GROUP
Started Logistics: 1973
Serves: Southeast &
Midwest
HQ: USA
Revenue: 30 million
Employees: 150
Sq. Ft.: 350,000

Staying ahead means improving on the past. For M&W this meant developing a simpler website allowing clients to identify and access services as well as the adoption of an electronic data interchange solution allowing M&W to communicate immediately with shippers about transfer loads, shipment status, invoices and electronic payments, which have improved the time frame to set up new customers with a significant savings in costs.

MENLO WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS
Started Logistics: 1990
Serves: Global
HQ: USA
Revenue: $1,540
Employees: 8,500
Warehouses: 138
Sq. Ft.: 20 million

The company prides itself on using advanced thinking to come up with simple solutions to complex operations. For example, Menlo encourages customers to think about its  postponement” service as a supply-chain strategy. Delaying final assembly of a product until it’s required by an end-customer can reduce holding costs while increasing availability of production capacity.

RYDER SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS
Started Logistics: 1957
Serves: Intl’
HQ: USA
Revenue: $2,383
Employees: 14,312
Warehouses: 233
Sq. Ft.: 35 million

Giving its customers a high degree of visibility allows Ryder to connect them with their supply-chain partners more efficiently and safely—the company was recognized by Security Magazine as being one of the top companies for security practices in transportation and logistics. Ryder’s Dick Jennings, VP of Supply Chain Solutions, says because of this “the customer is better able to anticipate, control and react to volatility in the supply chain.”

TOLL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Started Logistics: 1888
Serves: Intl’
HQ: Australia
Revenue: $6,266
Employees: 33,000
Warehouses: 650
Sq. Ft.: 32.30 million

The company has become adept at taking industry best practices and customizing them for use by its customers in smart systems and state-of-the-art technology. Toll’s REAP Warehouse Execution System provides a customizable suite of software, fixed and mobile devices, tags and data networks to customers using radio frequency identification for individual projects.

UNISOURCE (Now a Veritiv company)
Started Logistics: 1968
Serves: Global
HQ: USA
Employees: 4,300
Sq. Ft.: 16 million

Unisource, now a Veritiv company, specializes in innovative “turnkey” solutions that result in lower inventory and overhead. A proud example is Unisource’s work in the manufacture and delivery of Kenzie-Covers, customized, kid-friendly medical masks for children with compromised immune systems. In partnership with Strouse Corp., Unisource designed and manufactured the masks while also providing primary and secondary packaging and kitting of components.

UNYSON LOGISTICS
Started Logistics: 2005
Serves: N. America
HQ: USA
Revenue: $340
Employees: 210

This company believes in taking a collaborative approach in developing tailored solutions for its customers, inviting them to blend their best ideas with those of Unyson’s network of logistics professionals. This method, which targets improving customers’ supply-chain issues through implementation of best practices and increased visibility of critical activities, delivers quantifiable savings typically ranging from 12 to 25 percent.