Top 10 3PLs: Readers’ Choice Excellence Awards
The votes are in. It’s no stretch to say these third-party logistics providers rule when it comes to customer service and responsiveness.
Shipper expectations abound for third-party logistics (3PL) providers. And the 3PLs that made this short list deliver and then some.
Quick replies to queries? Got it. Fixes for any issues that arise? Already on it. The 3PLs nabbing a Top 10 3PL Excellence Award spring into action, whether it’s managing inventory or delivering freight on time. With the supply chain disruptions and upheaval of the past few years, this adaptability is no easy feat. Yet these 3PLs do it again and again.
This agility earned kudos from our readers, who cast 12,500 votes via our survey platform and made it abundantly clear who should get awarded. Once again, Echo Global Logistics rounded up the most plaudits. Says a logistics rep from Sony: “Echo’s ability to handle varying volumes and complexities makes them reliable partners for businesses at different stages of growth.”
The other 3PLs on this list received ample praise as well, with readers mentioning customer service and excellent communication as the reasons they belong on this list.
By managing a portion or all of a shipper’s transportation and logistics operations, 3PLs keep supply chains flowing—even during port shutdowns and labor shortages—by relying on their expertise, experience, resources, and technology offerings.
The shippers that took our survey hail from wide-ranging markets, from retail to manufacturing and services. Voters include supply chain decision-makers from household names such as Amazon, Nestle, and Microsoft; retailers such as Dollar General, Target, and Walmart; as well as manufacturers such as General Motors, Unilever, and Whirlpool.
Year after year, our audience shortlists the 3PLs that are consistently excellent and laudably adaptable. Their go-to providers get the job done. They’re resourceful and responsive, offering solutions in times of upheaval and volatility. Readers and challenging times have put them to the test, and they continue to show boundless responsiveness.
1. Echo Global Logistics
2. Kenco
3. Hub Group
4. Sunset Transportation
5. DHL Supply Chain
6. Ruan
7. Ryder
8. R2 Logistics
9. Brown Integrated Logistics
10. SEKO Logistics
1. ECHO GLOBAL LOGISTICS
Doug Waggoner, CEO
Echo Global Logistics is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services. Founded in 2005, Echo was created with one objective: to simplify transportation management. Headquartered in Chicago with more than 30 offices around the country, Echo offers freight brokerage and Managed Transportation Solutions for all major modes, including truckload, partial truckload, LTL, intermodal, temperature-controlled shipping and warehousing, and warehouse services.
Named one of Newsweek’s Most Trusted Companies in America, Echo leverages its proprietary, web-based and mobile app technology, analyzing data from its network of more than 50,000 transportation providers to help its 35,000 clients simplify the critical tasks involved in transportation management. With the latest in artificial intelligence and innovative load-matching algorithms, Echo tailors individualized service to every client’s unique transportation needs.
In addition to providing transportation solutions for all major modes, Echo also offers dry and temperature-controlled warehousing and warehouse solutions. Following a full-service model, every warehouse facility is highly organized, inspected, and strategically located to enable expedient shipping across the United States.
In the past year, Echo increased its existing international services with established locations in Mexico as well as expanded solutions in Canada. Echo combines its advanced technology with expert, 24/7 service, ensuring every client and carrier can access top-of-the-line solutions while receiving readily available support every step of the way. This combination of technology and dedicated team members is what sets Echo apart from other 3PLs.
In a highly competitive industry, delivering reputable and reliable service fosters trust and transparency, critical elements in the business of transportation management. As the people at Echo like to say, “technology at your fingertips, experts by your side.”
Client Roster
Culligan International
Duracell
Greenheck
Johnstone Supply
Newell
Omron
Purely Elizabeth
Taraca Pacific
“Echo merits recognition due to its innovative technology solutions, extensive carrier network, customer-centric approach, and comprehensive service offerings.”
2. Kenco
Denis Reilly, President & CEO
Kenco is privately held and smaller than many other top 3PLs, lending to its agility and customer-centric approach. But it also boasts similar operating scale and access to cutting-edge technology that its larger, publicly traded competitors offer.
From robotic process automation and proprietary, AI-enabled predictive analytics to large-scale automation and robotic fulfillment, Kenco offers the best of both worlds between niche, customized solutions and nationwide, service-integrated omnichannel delivery.
Its primary offerings include value-added distribution and fulfillment, transportation services, MHE fleet solutions and automation guidance, and supply chain consulting, design, and innovation. The Kenco Innovation Lab is noted for its innovation-as-a-service (InaaS) model and ability to quickly pilot and deploy physical and digital solutions with a low cost of entry.
It has also recently doubled down on its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, and is actively partnering with customers to build more sustainable and resilient supply chains.
Kenco has always been recognized first and foremost for its world-class lean operating system and people-first culture, driven by its motto to “be honest, serve, get better.” That’s why the typical contract client stays with Kenco for 14 years, and why it consistently earns best-in-class net promoter scores.
“Our consistent ranking on the Top 10 List these last several years is a testament to our continuous, strong commitment to our customers,” says Denis Reilly, president and CEO of Kenco. “We help companies achieve real results using agile best-in-class logistics solutions, technology and talent. It is an honor to be recognized by our customers and the industry at large again this year.”
Client Roster
Alphalete
Chevron
Dow
General Mills
Jeni’s
Oatley
Reckitt
Stryker
Whirlpool
“Kenco has a wide footprint and a history of accommodating our needs with great service.”
3. Hub Group
Phillip D. Yeager President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
Hub Group delivers innovative solutions and a commitment to service to customers across multiple industries. It provides transportation and logistics solutions that combine its own assets, strategic relationships and cutting-edge technology to support each customer’s needs. Hub Group’s reputation is built on stability, helping it deliver long-term value to customers while continuing to add to its suite of supply chain solutions.
Hub Group’s North American solutions include intermodal, truck brokerage, dedicated, temperature controlled, LTL, managed transportation, consolidation, fulfillment and final mile. The company designs custom supply chain solutions for customers, leveraging the tools and capacity necessary to support the seasonality of their business, scale with their growth and deliver the service and quality they expect.
Hub Group’s industry-leading logistics solutions are designed for customers that want better control over costs, higher levels of service and a streamlined approach to their supply chain. The company harnesses proprietary technology to optimize multimodal networks for customers operating both domestically and across the globe.
Hub Group’s strategic network of technology-driven, highly automated warehouses provide access to 99.7% of the U.S. population within an average of 1.2 days, allowing customers to stage inventory and fulfill e-commerce orders with confidence. Its consolidation programs ensure better performance, on-shelf availability and compliance for retail-bound shippers.
Through customer-centric strategies, Hub Group centralizes communication, management and accountability while delivering a seamless network aimed at generating savings and service, while continuously assessing for improvements to drive long-term success.
These solutions are blended and delivered to customers with a single point of contact, supported by teams that look deeper into supply chains to extract hidden value, provide better visibility, and help navigate customers’ businesses toward their unique goals. With nearly 6,000 employees and drivers across the globe, Hub Group is always in pursuit of “The Way Ahead”— a commitment to service, integrity and innovation.
“They are just that good.”
4. Sunset Transportation
Lindsay Graves CEO
Sunset Transportation secured the fourth spot this year, marking its seventh consecutive appearance on the prestigious Inbound Logistics Top 10 3PL list. This recognition highlights Sunset’s unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation in the logistics sector.
Established over three decades ago, Sunset has transformed from a small family-owned brokerage into a leading transportation management company known for its exceptional service and innovative solutions. With a global network, Sunset provides comprehensive logistics services including freight brokerage, transportation management, supply chain engineering, and consulting, making it a one-stop-shop for all freight needs.
Led by CEO Lindsey Graves, along with a committed leadership team, Sunset emphasizes personalized customer service, fostering a culture that drives company growth. Graves’ commitment to mentoring and supporting women in logistics further enriches the diverse and inclusive workforce.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized once again by Inbound Logistics as a top 3PL provider,” states Lindsey Graves. “This honor reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Our consistent ranking reaffirms our commitment to pushing the boundaries in logistics through advanced technology and personalized service, setting new industry benchmarks.”
In an era where customer service often feels impersonal, Sunset’s high-touch service shines, emphasizing the importance of relationships and the human element in transportation. The company is dedicated to enhancing the human experience through technology, because ultimately, it’s the people who make the difference when it matters most.
“Sunset adds great value to our company and exceeds expectations.”
5. DHL SUPPLY CHAIN
Patrick Kelleher, CEO
DHL Supply Chain North America, the global and North American contract logistics leader within DHL Group, remains committed to delivering a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions for its customers. The 3PL goes beyond just enhancing flexibility, predictability, and speed—it focuses on building resilience and future-proofing its customers’ supply chain.
In the last year the industry continued to navigate ongoing economic challenges and ever-evolving consumer trends. DHL Supply Chain empowered customers to thrive by providing enhanced supply chain visibility through continued digitalization efforts. This translates to greater transparency throughout the supply chain.
DHL Supply Chain also made significant strides in advanced automation and robotics, exceeding 500 million units picked with collaborative robots and introducing industry-leading solutions like Stretch from Boston Dynamics. Furthermore, it is integrating sustainable practices throughout its operations, such as the deployment of EV yard trucks and Class 8 EV trucks, minimizing environmental impact while optimizing efficiency. North America continues to be a breeding ground for groundbreaking solutions, setting industry standards across the globe.
DHL Supply Chain’s success and ability to consistently deliver for customers is contingent on its employees, which is why the company remains committed to attracting and retaining top talent. It fosters a culture of learning and development, providing opportunities for continuous growth through training programs, mentorship initiatives, and career advancement paths. Additionally, DHL Supply Chain prioritizes creating a positive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and inspired to contribute their best work and reach their full potential.
Patrick Kelleher, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America, reiterates the company’s core strengths: “Our success hinges on three pillars: best-in-class processes, a talented workforce, and continuous digitalization. This allows us to not only expand our customer base but also deliver exceptional results for our existing partners.”
Client Roster
Advanced Drainage Systems
boohoo
Brooks Running
Carhartt
Keter
Vizient
6. Ruan
Ben McLean, CEO
Ruan’s Integrated Supply Chain Solutions begin with conversations: With unrivaled expertise, Ruan uncovers insights, shares knowledge, and tailors solutions through Dedicated Contract Transportation, Managed Transportation, Value-Added Warehousing, and Brokerage Support Services, all designed to enhance efficiency and deliver results.
Eliminate Risk with Ruan’s Dedicated Transportation Solution: Your product is in expert hands with Ruan’s Dedicated Contract Transportation solution. Ruan employs only the finest professional truck drivers in the industry, who will know your business inside and out. All team members are committed to on-time delivery, each and every time.
Ruan’s Dedicated Contract Transportation team also excels at maintaining constant contact, executing seamless start-ups, operating exceptionally safe equipment, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Safety is Ruan’s top priority, which is reflected through its robust Megasafe training program and team of safety professionals.
Ruan’s Managed Transportation team thinks like a shipper: We are an extension of our partners’ logistics teams and make decisions in their best interest, including freight planning and execution, mode selection, carrier management, and network optimization. Ruan’s transportation management system enables visibility to all freight in the network and provides actionable analytics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and cost savings.
Leverage Ruan’s Warehouse Management Expertise to Drive Efficiencies: Innovative warehouse solutions are Ruan’s specialty. Value-Added Warehousing services offer dedicated, scalable, and agile warehouse space tailored to our partners’ requirements. Ruan excels in warehouse management, engineered facility design, site selection, export consolidation, cross docking/postponement, subassembly, kitting, international crating, and more. Integration with Ruan’s warehouse management system reduces touches, improves storage density, and increases overall flow efficiency.
Ruan’s Brokerage Support Services Ensure Additional Capacity: Ruan’s brokerage offering acts as a capacity aggregator across its fleet and the fleets of carriers with whom it partners. With no shipment volume requirements and no capital expenses needed, Ruan can help you scale efficiently, flexibly, and quickly. Ruan helps improve efficiency and save time by identifying asset-based backhaul opportunities or negotiating with our network of pre-screened carriers vetted for safety and reliability.
7. Ryder
Robert Sanchez, Chairman & CEO
As a $12 billion fully integrated, port-to-door supply chain and logistics company, Ryder provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions to some of the world’s most recognizable brands across 20+ industries. By combining cutting-edge technology and business intelligence tools with more than 90 years of operational know-how, Ryder custom-engineers solutions around its customers’ operations, rather than fitting them into a one-size-fits-all formula.
To fully optimize supply chains and transportation networks, Ryder continues to build on $1.6 billion in strategic investments it has made since 2018 to develop, acquire, and invest in innovative customer-facing technologies, products, and services. As part of that, Ryder collaborates with start-ups tackling disruptions in supply chain, driven by accelerating demand for e-commerce, asset sharing, next-generation vehicles, and digital technologies.
Ryder’s technology suite includes the one-of-a-kind visibility and collaboration platform RyderShareTM, enabling everyone involved in moving goods through supply chains—including shippers, receivers, carriers, and service providers—to see exceptions in real time and work together to prevent costly delays and find efficiency gains.
Ryder continues to expand its e-fulfillment network with a proven technology and operating platform enabling scalable e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment solutions for brands big and small. For last-mile big-and-bulky deliveries, RyderViewTM enables consumers to self-schedule deliveries and provides all parties notifications, order tracking, and 100% real-time visibility.
With the growth in nearshoring, Ryder continues to expand its cross-border facilities and capabilities at the U.S.-Mexico border, where it has operated for 30 years. The company also strengthened its position as a leading North American provider of customized dedicated transportation with the acquisition of Cardinal Logistics. And, with the acquisition of Impact Fulfillment Services (IFS), Ryder now provides contract packaging and contract manufacturing of food and non-food products, including a specialty in blending and filling dry powder and viscous products.
Client Roster
BJC HealthCare
Conagra Brands
Do it Best
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
ICON/NordicTrack
Mugsy Jeans
Pabst
Turkey Hill
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Wine & Spirits
WB Mason
“They are reliable and dependable.”
8. R2 Logistics
Katie Quinn, CEO
R2 Logistics’ reputation as an industry leader is built around its motto: “Customer Service is Priority Number One.” This comes with the understanding that not all client needs are made equal.
R2’s talented staff of logistics professionals works with each customer to identify their unique supply chain requirements. By offering custom-tailored solutions, the R2 team builds trust and creates a forward-focused relationship instead of a transactional one.
Customers recognize the value R2 Logistics brings to their supply chains. This has been made apparent by the recent recognitions such as the Chewy Brokerage Carrier of the Year award and CargoNet’s Best in Cargo Security award.
When market conditions can change without notice, the R2 transportation management system (TMS) gives shippers the advantage they need to stay ahead. The R2 TMS increases supply chain visibility and offers valuable data insights for efficient decision making.
When customers work with R2 Logistics, they not only receive world-class customer service but also technological advantages that drive their long-term success.
“R2 Logistics provides great communication and service and is easy to work with.”
9. Brown Integrated Logistics
Scott Shephard, CEO
Brown Integrated Logistics stands out as a Top 10 3PL not just for its services, but for its exceptional company culture and people. Since the 1960s, Brown has fostered a legacy of servant leadership, unmatched service, and a family atmosphere. This commitment to people and relationships makes Brown a great place to work and a trusted partner of choice for clients.
Brown’s core values, built around DELIVERing exceptional service, put people first. Every employee is empowered and accountable to deliver excellence to each other, customers, and the community. This dedication to a shared philosophy ensures all Brown associates are aligned in their pursuit of continuous improvement.
D – Dedicated to Safety & Integrity
E – Empowerment & Accountability
L – Lead by Example
I – Integrated Solutions
V – Value Everyone
E – Encourage Quality & Creativity
R – Results Matter
Brown’s journey began in trucking, but it has grown into a comprehensive 3PL provider offering dedicated trucking, warehousing, brokerage, and maintenance services. They leverage technology to optimize efficiency and reduce costs for their customers. Brown’s economies of scale and flexible approach allow them to adapt to market changes while maintaining their family-owned feel.
In short, Brown Integrated Logistics combines a people-centric culture with a commitment to continuous improvement and a comprehensive suite of services, making them a Top 10 3PL.
Client Roster
Domtar
Georgia Pacific
United
“Exceptional culture and people.”
10. Seko Logistics
James Gagne, President & CEO
Built on nearly 50 years of logistics expertise, SEKO Logistics specializes in expecting the unexpected. With a client-first approach, local expertise at global scale, as well as configurable technology platforms, SEKO is committed to finding forwarding, logistics and shipping solutions that turn clients’ supply chains into a competitive advantage.
SEKO’s core ethos is providing hands-on support and expertise at the local level. SEKO takes the time to understand its clients’ unique business needs and provide a solution that delivers and ensures clients can maintain excellent relationships with its own customers.
To further support its clients’ needs in competitive and emerging markets, SEKO opened new offices in India, Malaysia, Taiwan and Portugal in the past year and expanded operations in Singapore.
SEKO understands a true logistics partner is there whenever and wherever clients need, while also being a responsible steward of the people, planet and communities in which it operates. For example, SEKO and long-time partner Airlink, Inc. have supported 51 humanitarian organizations globally with 309 shipments of 2,059 metric tons of aid, reaching 3.5 million people affected by crises around the world since 2022.
Additionally, SEKO is advancing towards its goal of achieving carbon neutrality for all SEKO-owned or controlled facilities and activities by 2050. A key component of this plan is its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiative, turning to a sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.
Client Roster
Beach House Group
Castore Sportswear
Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts
Ember
Jaguar Land Rover
MANSCAPED
Reiss
THG
Thuma
