Top 15 Biggest 3PLs in the US – 2017

Dave Blanchard | Oct 24, 2017

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While the growth in the third-party logistics market has slowed somewhat, 90% of the major companies in the U.S. are now using at least one 3PL in their operations.

The total U.S. third-party logistics market has grown to become a $166.8 billion industry, according to market research firm Armstrong & Associates. Although the market has somewhat slowed, that still represents a 3.5% increase over the previous year.

Part of the reason for the slowdown, according to Armstrong, is that the acquisition craze died down somewhat, although in the past year FedEx did finally acquire TNT Express.

Armstrong’s research reveals that 90% of domestic FORTUNE 500 companies use at least one 3PL; that represents a significant gain over the past 15 years, when only 46% of the companies had a relationship with a 3PL, so the number has almost doubled since the turn of the century. This points to an ongoing trend, Armstrong notes, “for companies to outsource logistics functions to 3PLs in order to control costs and increase supply chain efficiency.” In fact, the larger a company is, the more likely it is that it will have at least one 3PL contract. The service most frequently outsourced to a 3PL is transportation management (24%), followed by warehouse management (19%).

15. CEVA Logistics (The Americas)

In the U.S. CEVA Logistics provides both freight management and contract logistics services for a range of customers across all sectors. CEVA in the U.S. employs a total of 9102 people and operates in 126 site locations across the country. The company provides comprehensive freight forwarding services across all modes, domestic and international, including customs house brokerage and door-to-door ground services. CEVA also delivers contract logistics solutions featuring customized, flexible design and a range of tailored warehousing and distribution services across the country.

2016 revenues: $2.31 billion

14. Total Quality Logistics

Total Quality Logistics, one of the country’s largest freight brokerage firms, connects customers needing to move truckload, less-than-truckload or intermodal freight shipments with carriers having the capacity to move them. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, TQL employs more than 4,200 people in 59 offices nationwide.

2016 revenues: $2.32 billion

13. Coyote Logistics

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Coyote Logistics LLC, a UPS company, provides truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, air and ocean brokerage services and transportation management services to more than 14,000 shippers of various sizes and industries. Coyote became a UPS company in August 2015, adding UPS asset utilization, air freight, ocean freight and customs brokerage to its portfolio of services.

2016 revenues: $2.36 billion

12. DB Schenker (The Americas)

DB Schenker USA has an integrated multi-modal transportation network, strategic warehousing and hub facilities, global supply chain information technology systems and visibility tools. DB Schenker USA has over 7,000 employees in 39 branches and 55 logistics centers providing over 21 million sq. ft. of distribution operations to its clients. DB Schenker offers land transport, air and ocean freight, as well as comprehensive logistics solutions and global supply chain management services from a single source.

2016 revenues: $2.63 billion

11. Ryder Supply Chain Solutions

Ryder, based in Miami, operates behind the scenes, managing critical fleet, transportation and supply chain functions for over 50,000 customers, many of which make the products that consumers use every day. Ryder employs 7,700 professional drivers and 5,900 technicians, manages over 44 million sq. ft. of warehouse space and 234,100 vehicles, and operates 800 maintenance facilities.

2016 revenues: $2.65 billion

10. FedEx Trade Networks/Supply Chain

FedEx Trade Networks provides international freight forwarding services, integrating air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, trade and customs advisory services and other value-added services. Service coverage encompasses North America, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. FedEx Supply Chain (formerly GENCO) is a non-asset-based 3PL that was among the first to develop a centralized returns process and proprietary reverse logistics technology.

2016 revenues: $2.91 billion

9. Hub Group

Hub Group, Inc. is a transportation management company that provides multi-modal solutions throughout North America, including intermodal, truck brokerage, dedicated and logistics services. Hub Group’s organization of over 4,000 employees delivers customer-focused solutions and service to help customers better control supply chains and their costs.

2016 revenues: $3.57 billion

8. Burris Logistics

Established in 1925, Burris Logistics operates an expanding network of temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution centers from Florida to Massachusetts. This fifth-generation, family-owned enterprise provides logistics, transportation and supply chain solutions coast to coast through four distinct operating divisions: Burris Custom Retail Distribution, Burris PRW Plus (Public Refrigerated Warehousing), Burris Transportation and Honor Foods (a redistributor of frozen, refrigerated and dry food service products).

2016 revenues: $3.62 billion

7. DHL Supply Chain North America

DHL Supply Chain, part of the DPDHL Group, combines value-added and management services with traditional fulfillment and distribution. The company offers expertise within the automotive, consumer, chemicals, energy, engineering & manufacturing, life sciences & healthcare, retail and technology sectors.

2016 revenues: $4.20 billion

6. Kuehne + Nagel (The Americas)

Established in the United States in 1966, Kuehne + Nagel employes over 74,000  at more than 1,300 locations in over 100 countries. The company’s market position lies in the ocean freight, air freight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a focus on providing IT-based integrated logistics solutions.

2016 revenues: $4.90 billion

5. Expeditors

Expeditors is a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle. The company employs trained professionals in 177 district offices and numerous branch locations located on six continents linked into a worldwide network through an integrated information management system. Services include the consolidation or forwarding of air and ocean freight, customs brokerage, vendor consolidation, cargo insurance, time-definite transportation, order management, warehousing and distribution and customized logistics solutions.

2016 revenues: $6.09 billion

4. J.B. Hunt

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. provides transportation services to a diverse group of customers throughout the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico. Utilizing an integrated, multimodal approach, the company provides capacity-oriented solutions centered on delivering customer value and industry-leading service. Service offerings include transportation of full truckload freight, which J.B. Hunt directly transports utilizing its company-controlled revenue equipment and company drivers or independent contractors. The company also has arrangements with most of the major North American rail carriers to transport truckload freight in containers and trailers.

2016 revenues: $6.18 billion

3. UPS Supply Chain Solutions

UPS Supply Chain Solutions offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, including logistics and distribution, transportation and freight, consulting, customs brokerage, and international trade services. UPS provides the expertise and the scale to meet the supply chain needs of customers worldwide, whether it requires the movement of goods, information or funds.

2016 revenues: $6.79 billion

2. XPO Logistics

XPO Logistics Inc. operates as a highly integrated network of people, technology and physical assets in 31 countries, with over 90,000 employees and 1,435 locations. XPO uses its network to help more than 50,000 customers manage their goods more efficiently throughout their supply chains. The company has two reporting segments: transportation and logistics, and within these segments, its business is diversified by geographies, verticals and types of service. XPO’s corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Conn.

2016 revenues: $8.63 billion

1. C.H. Robinson

As the largest 3PL in the United States, C.H. Robinson, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn., provides a broad portfolio of logistics services, fresh produce sourcing and managed services for more than 113,000 customers and 71,000 contract carriers through its integrated network of 280 offices and more than 14,000 employees.

2016 revenues: $13.14 billion