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Speedy Freight Launches First US Branch in Dallas, Texas

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Speedy Freight Launches First US Branch in Dallas, Texas

UK 3PL Speedy Freight Expands into US Market

UK-based third-party logistics provider Speedy Freight has announced a significant global expansion with the opening of their first office in the United States, located in Dallas, Texas.

Read also: 3 Strategies For Importing Goods From The U.S. To Europe

Continuing their rapid growth trajectory, Speedy Freight is introducing its renowned freight and fulfillment solutions to the US market. Dallas was selected for its strategic central location, large size, and high level of commercial activity.

The new Dallas branch will offer comprehensive 3PL services, including full truckloads, less-than-truckloads, drayage, expedited shipping, and cross-border operations. Speedy Freight aims to cater to a wide range of businesses, from start-ups needing efficient supply chain management to international corporations seeking streamlined operations.

Speedy Freight is equipped with advanced, in-house developed technology to meet specific freight and fulfillment requirements. The company specializes in quality assurance and reliability, ensuring finely tuned logistics plans for industries ranging from fast-moving consumer goods and high-volume tradeshows to time-sensitive healthcare commodities.

The company provides inventory and supply chain management for businesses of all sizes, with user-friendly technology that integrates seamlessly with online stores, ensuring hassle-free operation and comprehensive stock management. Speedy Freight also offers warehousing capacity and cross-dock capabilities.

This US expansion follows Speedy Freight’s recent growth in the EU, with new locations in Dublin and Spain. Their universal transportation and warehousing management system provides clients with full visibility of quotes, active jobs, and invoices through an online portal, supported by knowledgeable local teams offering excellent customer service.

Leading the US sales division is Starr Bollefer, Vice President of Sales since March 2024, who expressed excitement about the company’s US venture and commitment to delivering exceptional service to American customers.

John Munnelly, Chief Operating Officer at Speedy Freight, stated, “Expansion to the USA has always been a goal for the business, and thanks to our outstanding year-on-year growth, we feel now is the perfect time to open our first North American branch. The high level of commercial activity in and around Dallas-Fort Worth makes it the perfect location for Speedy Freight, and we’re confident our team will hit the ground running with their personalized logistics service offerings.”

Mike Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Speedy Freight, added, “This is a massive milestone for Speedy Freight, and we see a huge opportunity in North America for future expansion. Our franchising model is perfectly suited to the US business landscape, and we’re confident that this is just the first of many USA offices.”

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St. Louis Regional Freightway Unveils $8 Billion Priority Projects List for 2025

The St. Louis Regional Freightway has announced its 2025 Priority Projects List, which includes 27 projects with a total investment exceeding $8 billion. As of May 2024, over $500 million in projects have been completed, and nearly $2.3 billion in additional projects are fully funded and underway. This ongoing commitment highlights the region’s dedication to enhancing freight infrastructure in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

Red also: Louis Region Poised To Join One Of The World’s Most Comprehensive Port Networks

Work underway on Chain of Rocks Bridge

Released on May 15 during the annual Freight Summit at FreightWeekSTL 2024, the Priority Projects List is curated by the Freight Development Committee of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. This committee includes representatives from the Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation (IDOT and MoDOT), the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, various transportation modes, the manufacturing and logistics sectors, and academia.     

Among the completed projects are the $222 million replacement of the Merchants Bridge and the $278 million improvement of Interstate 270 from James S. McDonnell Boulevard to Bellefontaine Road. These projects were among the highest priorities since 2016.

Kirk Brown, Region Five Engineer for IDOT, highlighted key projects such as the $496 million Chain of Rocks Bridge and improvements to Illinois Route 3. Tom Evers, Assistant District Engineer for MoDOT, discussed the recently completed I-270 North Project and upcoming projects including the I-70 improvements between Wentzville and Warrenton, slated to start in early 2025.

The largest project on the list is the new terminal at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a $2.8 billion investment. The collaborative efforts between IDOT, MoDOT, and other regional partners are crucial for advancing these projects, according to Mary Lamie, who leads the St. Louis Regional Freightway.

Lamie noted the region’s strong aerospace sector and its significant contributions to the national supply chain. Future investments will also support the region’s top ranking as the most efficient inland port in the nation, enhancing access to barge terminals and industrial parks.

The St. Louis Regional Freightway was established in 2014 by Bi-State Development to support freight movement and infrastructure projects in the region. The Priority Projects List is an annual tool used to advocate for critical infrastructure improvements, reflecting unanimous support from the Freight Development Committee.

For more information and detailed fact sheets on the 2025 Priority Projects, visit freightweekstl.com.  Comments on the list can be submitted by email to MCLamie@TheFreightway.com until August 1.

 Link to List

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St. Louis Emerges as a Global Freight Powerhouse with Key Infrastructure Boosts and Collaborative Triumphs

In the face of persistent supply chain disruptions, the St. Louis region showcased unparalleled collaboration and infrastructure strides in 2023, solidifying its position as a pivotal player in the national and global freight network. The St. Louis Regional Freightway presents a snapshot of major developments that unfolded throughout the year, either fortifying the region’s freight infrastructure or underscoring the resilience of its industrial market.

“Maintaining St. Louis as a world-class freight hub requires a commitment to enhancing our infrastructure and fortifying our resilience in the face of supply chain challenges,” remarked Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi-Modal Enterprises at Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. “The investments made over the past year are geared towards ensuring future competitiveness and growth in the region.”

Leading the roster of advancing projects is the construction of the new Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River. A collaborative effort between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the bridge, estimated at $496 million, is deemed critical for the seamless movement of freight through the region and the heartland of America.

The St. Louis Regional Freightway has championed this project as a top priority, garnering support from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and industry leaders. This project, integral to connectivity with various transportation modes, such as rail, river, and air, is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance a 22-mile section of Interstate 270.

Other notable projects identified as priorities by the St. Louis Regional Freightway also gained traction in 2023, including over $400 million in improvements to Interstate 70 and $233 million in improvements on I-55. These investments, totaling billions of dollars, aim to enhance safety, reliability, and intermodal connections, fostering economic growth and job creation in the region.

The industrial landscape of the St. Louis region boasts ample manufacturing space, with low average rents and a skilled workforce comprising 15% of the region’s employment. The St. Louis Regional Industrial Real Estate Market Indicators & Workforce Report revealed that manufacturing in the St. Louis metropolitan region ranks as the fourth largest industry, with workers nearly 15% more productive than the national average.

The aerospace industry took the spotlight during the second annual Take Flight Forum, where key players discussed an imminent boost of over $5 billion in investments, expected to create 1,000 new jobs in the bi-state area. The region’s five airports, including St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Spirit of St. Louis Airport, contribute significantly to the thriving aerospace manufacturing and aviation ecosystem.

Collaboration efforts extended to the rail sector, where the St. Louis region’s Class I railroads, economic development organizations, brokers, and business leaders identified and marketed top rail-accessible industrial real estate sites. Twelve locations, featuring heavy industrial user zoning and serviced by the region’s six Class I railroads, are ready for developers seeking the advantages of strong rail infrastructure and multimodal connectivity.

In a novel initiative, the St. Louis Regional Freightway introduced riverboat cruises for students and educators, offering tours of the Ag Coast of America—a 15-mile stretch of the Mississippi River renowned for its 16 barge transfer facilities, capable of handling over 150 barges per day. These cruises provide valuable insights into the region’s multimodal freight network and highlight career opportunities in transportation, manufacturing, and logistics.

FreightWeekSTL showcased the advantages offered by the St. Louis region to shippers and carriers, with discussions covering innovations, investments, and collaborations shaping the future of the freight industry. Notable topics included digitalization of global waterways, advances in autonomous railcars, and the creation of a Supply Chain Information Highway, all with ties to the St. Louis region.

A significant achievement in 2023 was the receipt of the Top Supply Chain Projects Award by the St. Louis Regional Freightway and Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis for the $222 million Merchants Bridge replacement project. This project doubled the bridge’s capacity, enhancing freight movement efficiency and reliability.

“As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2023, the St. Louis Regional Freightway anticipates continued success in driving economic development, strengthening connectivity, and maintaining the region’s global status as a logistics and manufacturing hub,” expressed Mary Lamie.

shippers opendock Loadsmart, a leading freight technology company, today announced the appointments of Tish Whitcraft as chief customer officer

Loadsmart Welcomes New Chief Customer Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Loadsmart hires executive officers Tish Whitcraft and Marcello Mastioni.

Loadsmart, a leading freight technology company, today announced the appointments of Tish Whitcraft as chief customer officer and Marcello Mastioni as chief operating officer.

In her new role as chief customer officer, Whitcraft will be leading sales, onboarding, customer experience and revenue operations, and growing customers across the portfolio of Loadsmart’s logistics service offerings and technology products. Before joining Loadsmart, Whitcraft was chief customer officer at OpenX, a global leader in adtech, where she was responsible for all income-related functions for over $600 million in global revenue.

“Tish brings to Loadsmart more than 20 years of experience in building and leading customer-driven revenue ecosystems,” said Felipe Capella, Loadsmart co-founder and co-CEO. “With Tish’s extraordinary experience in the areas of sales, customer journeys and sales operations, she will play a pivotal role in growing our customer base.”

As chief operating officer, Mastioni is augmenting the impact of the Loadsmart product, engineering, marketing and customer service organizations by promoting an explicit data and results-driven model. Prior to joining Loadsmart, Mastioni was chief operating officer for NASDAQ real estate technology and services company Altisource, and previously spent several years at the Expedia Group in leadership roles.

”Marcello brings us a unique combination of leadership, business acumen and agile process expertise,” said Capella. “I am confident in his ability in this new role to advance the company towards our vision of becoming the number one platform for digital logistics execution by 2023, by further developing our strategy and doubling down on a useful process that keeps the customer at the forefront of everything we do.”


Whitcraft and Mastioni join the team of Loadsmart executives in the midst of deploying its $200 million Series D raised in January 2022 at a $1.3 billion valuation following a Q4 of 2021 that saw the freight technology company acquire Opendock and Kamion, a leading dock scheduling software and truck management system, respectively.

About Loadsmart

Transforming the future of freight, Loadsmart leverages technology and logistics data to build efficiency around how freight is priced, booked and shipped. Pairing comprehensive logistics technology with deep-seated freight industry expertise, Loadsmart fuels business growth, simplifies operations and increases efficiency for carriers and shippers alike.