Trinity Logistics is proud to announce its recognition as a Top Freight Broker by Transport Topics for the 21^st consecutive year, ranked 17. This honor serves as a testament to the company’s continued commitment to delivering outstanding People-Centric service in the logistics industry.

Transport Topics is a leading publication in the transportation business and is well-known for its annual comprehensive rankings of freight brokerage firms. Companies are ranked based on gross revenue and services offered. 

Trinity Logistics is thrilled to have made spot #17 on the Top Freight Brokers List for 2023 as this accolade reflects Trinity’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers and helping them meet their unique logistics needs. With a core focus on exceeding expectations, the company has built a reputation for its integrity, reliability, and customer service.

“This recognition continues to showcase our ability to serve our shippers and carriers with People-Centric Freight Solutions®,” says Sarah Ruffcorn, President of Trinity Logistics. “Team Trinity works hard to continually strengthen our shipper and carrier relationships, providing value to them in simplifying their processes and providing an excellent Trinity experience. Earning this recognition continues to show we are rising to the ongoing supply chain challenges and are serving our customers well. Thank you, Transport Topics, for the recognition. We’re honored to have made it another year in the top 20’s – #17!”  

Trinity’s parent company, Burris Logistics, has ranked number 35 on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Logistics Companies List and number 4 on their Top Refrigerated Warehousing List. 

To see the complete list, visit Transport Topics.  

About Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.   

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.  

We are currently recognized as a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, a Top Freight Brokerage Firm by Transport Topics, and as an Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL.  

Trinity Logistics is excited to announce that the company has been recognized as a Top 100 3PL by Inbound Logistics in 2022.  

Every year, hundreds of third-party providers submit their credentials to Inbound Logistics to be considered for their Top 100 list. Among the applicants considered, Trinity’s recognition further highlights the company’s growing brand of People-Centric Freight Solutions® among shippers and carriers. 

“This year’s theme for our annual 3PL edition: pizza. But think about it. Whether companies need to outsource just a slice or the full pie, there’s a 3PL to meet their needs. And outsourcing supply chain, logistics and transportation solutions to a trusted partner was never more important than during the disruptions of the past few years” said Felecia Stratton of Inbound Logistics. 

“We are honored to be named as one of the top 3PLs in the industry,” said Sarah Ruffcorn, President of Trinity Logistics. “Our focus on People-Centric Freight Solutions ® continues to make us a trusted partner for both shippers and carriers. I am proud of our team and how they continue to serve those around them with excellence.” 

Trinity consistently strives to be the best by offering its audiences customized logistics solutions through its People-Centric approach.  Trinity is honored to receive this recognition as it continues positively representing the company’s legacy by providing excellent service to the logistics industry. 

About Trinity Logistics 
 
Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.  

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions. 

We are currently recognized on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Freight Brokerage List, a Top 3PL and Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics, and a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation by Women in Trucking. 

If you’ve never worked with a 3PL (third party logistics) company, you might not know how to go about selecting a reputable provider for you and your freight. There are many factors you should consider when making this important decision.

To help avoid the possible problems that can arise from using a 3PL, there are important things you should consider before partnering with one. To ensure you’re getting competitive rates while still working with a top 3PL, take into account these factors:

1. Who are you really entrusting your freight to?

Don’t pass off your precious cargo to just anyone. Top 3PL’s are only as trustworthy as their carrier network. You should ask if your 3PL has a carrier compliance management system in place. Check to see that they’re monitoring their carriers’ safety ratings and insurance. A top-notch provider will thoroughly vet the carriers they’re working with, while other companies might just offer your freight to the first carrier who raises their hand.

Trinity Logistics has a whole team dedicated to vetting and monitoring our carriers. Currently we have a carrier network of 70,000 and counting.

2. Do they have years of industry experience, or are they the new kid on the block?

 It’s better to work with a company that’s been around long enough to know all the ins and outs of the industry. A best practice would be to look for a company with more than a year or two of experience, that also has a positive reputation. If they have a reputation for freight going missing or shady business practices, chances are, those rumors have some truth behind them. Be sure to do your research.

Trinity Logistics is currently celebrating 40 years in business. We are named 18 out of 100 on Transport Topics’ Top Freight Brokerage List for 2019. Not to mention, being a part of the Burris Logistics family, with their 95 years of experience to help bring total end-to-end supply chain solutions to our customers.

3. Is your 3PL financially stable?  

Working with a 3PL that isn’t financially healthy could prove to be disastrous. A company that is unstable might not be paying their carriers on time, which could mean less reliable carriers are handling your freight. Additionally, entrusting your shipments to a company that could be closing its doors next week would negatively impact your business’ bottom line. A top 3PL should be able to provide you with an honest picture of their financial situation.

Trinity Logistics has the credentials to prove our financial health is in check. We are P3 Performance Certified up to $250,000 by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA).

4. Do they have a claims management department to offer negotiation on your behalf?

No one likes to think about things potentially going south when it comes to shipping freight. The truth of the matter is that it can happen, even if you’re working with the best 3PL out there. That’s why it’s important to consider how the 3PL handles those issues as they arise. A 3PL that has a claims team who will act on your behalf to negotiate your freight claims with carriers offers a valuable service that could save your business money in the long run.

We have a highly qualified Team to manage all of our claims. They are here for every step of the claims process, should something ever happen with a shipment.

5. Are they a one-stop shop for all of your freight and logistics needs?

A top 3PL should be able to provide you with multiple modes of transportation like truckload, LTL, and intermodal, as well as other logistics services like transportation management software, warehousing, and freight management. Do they offer analytics and reporting for your shipments? The importance of partnering with a company that knows your freight needs inside and out will help you stay efficient and ahead of the curve.

Trinity Logistics services many different modes of transportation alone, as well as transportation management. With the added benefit of Burris Logistics, we can find a way to service any transportation need you may have.

Considering these factors before choosing a 3PL could save you a ton of money and unnecessary stress. Always remember to look at a shipping quote as just one piece of the puzzle, and not let it be the only reason you choose who will be arranging your shipments. 

Read what one of our customers, Edison Lighting Supply, has to say about their journey in finding a reliable 3PL partner in Trinity Logistics:

“We have tested many logistics companies, and Trinity is the company that gives us the best service and value, on a consistent basis, with utter transparency. While the prices are slightly higher through Trinity, than through some other companies, Trinity provides unbeatable promptness in providing quotes, and on-time pick-up and delivery. Every other company we have tested ended up costing us more money in the long-run, due to delays, inaccuracies, and bad service. We will never shop another company again; Trinity is now our logistics provider for life.”

If you’re in the market for a partner in transportation, consider Trinity Logistics. We promise it will be worth it.

Request A Quote.

Originally published February 16, 2016. Updated by Christine Griffith & Krista Lee. 

A little over 15 years ago, Armstrong and Associates found 46 percent of Fortune 500 companies use 3PL (third-party logistics) companies to help with their freight arrangement. In May 2017, that number nearly doubled to 90 percent.

The study found that companies that use 3PLs do so to control their costs and improve the efficiency of their supply chain, while some larger companies rely mostly on 3PLs to handle their complete day-to-day freight management.

Why are more successful companies turning to 3PLs? It’s a growing market, turning away from the transactional relationships of the past and building “meaningful partnerships,” according to the 21st Annual Third-Party Logistics Study.

Of course, the overall economy has a major impact on the logistics market, so we’ll take a look at the contributing economic factors, the growth in logistics, and the role 3PLs play that have the biggest companies in the United States relying on them for all of their logistics needs.

Growing Logistics Market

Saving time, saving money, and avoiding headaches are top reasons to turn to a third-party logistics company. The cost reductions achieved by using a 3PL are expected to be a major market driver for 2017 to 2021, based on a report from Radiant Insights. The logistics market overall is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.5 percent per year during this time frame.

The American Trucking Association’s Trucking Activity Report sees growth continuing in freight and trucking through 2026. The report shows 28.6 percent increase in freight tonnage and a 74.5 percent increase in revenues to $1.52 trillion by 2026.

New orders for trucks dipped slightly in May, but research groups say overall, the outlook for the market is positive. Class 8 orders were down 30 percent from April, but were still 18 percent higher than May 2016.

Stifel analyst Michael Baudendistel wrote in a letter to investors that the firm believes the dip in Class 8 orders should be interpreted as a step back from unsustainable levels and believe there will be a strong growth period from 2019-2020.

Autonomous trucks are also expected to take the nation’s roads by storm within five years, according to the Transportation Research Board. This of course after the autonomous truck Otto went on a 120-mile beer run sans driver at the wheel in Colorado in October 2016.

Increases in technology and efficiency in the transportation world could have a major impact on delivery times and capacity.

Current Economy

While the Logistics industry has plenty of growth in its forecast, the U.S. economy is sending mixed signals.

Overall, the United States’ industrial production rose one percent in April 2017, the largest expansion in more than three years.

The U.S. unemployment rate hit its lowest level in 16 years, down to 4.3 percent. There were 138,000 jobs added in May, slightly down from April. While the number of jobs added was still lower than predicted, there were significant gains in sectors like mining, which added nearly 50,000 jobs.

At the Federal Reserve’s last interest rate meeting, there was a 67 percent chance of a rate hike occurring in June. If this is the case, it would be the third rate high in the last seven months, after a period of several years with few hike rate increases by the Fed.

Consumer spending stayed steady in May, at a $104 daily spending average, similar to the $107 average in April, according to Gallup. This is the fourth month in a row that self-reporting through Gallup averaged $100 or more.

Consumer confidence is down for the second month, but is up 19 percent from last year and according to Forbes, people are spending their money online, at value retailers, and on beauty products.

Role of 3PL

Third-party logistics companies are growing in popularity for a multitude of reasons: they can save time by increasing efficiency, providing visibility to freight spend, handle all logistics operations as a one-stop shop, and can service virtually any industry, and many operate in all 50 states and across the globe.

In the 21st annual 3PL Study, 93 percent of shippers surveyed said that improved, data-driven decision-making is essential to the future success of supply chain activities and processes. Of the 3PLS in the study, 98 percent reported that as well.

In the day to day world of freight arrangement, shippers can spend hours manually entering data and coordinating shipping with different carriers. Working with a 3PL cuts down on the amount of time spent on these daily operations, but can also provide services well beyond the input of data!

From staying ahead of potential impacts on the industry to in-depth account reviews, to cutting and managing costs, to fully outsourcing logistics operations with account management offered through a Transportation Management System, a 3PL can offer tremendous visibility to clients.

In the 21st Annual Third-Party Logistics study, 86 percent of shippers said that using 3PLs has improved their customer service, and 73 percent said 3PLs offer new and innovative ways to improve logistics effectiveness.

New demands from consumers and shippers will continue to evolve the logistics industry, making offerings more robust to better serve the industry.

Why Wait, Join the 90 Percent

We’ll take care of the nitty gritty of freight arrangement to get your shipments from point A to point B so you can focus on your core business. If you need anything from an emergency storage solution to a full warehouse operation, we can set you up with our warehouse providers. Have an emergency shipment that needs to leave ASAP? Don’t stress about finding a truck – we’ll do that part for you. Want to fully outsource your logistics operations with our Integrated Outsourcing TMS? You got it.

Join the 90 percent of top companies that rely on 3PLs to guide them through the complex world of logistics! Send us any one of your shipments and we’ll give you a no-hassle quote, from a real person, every time.