“This name change is more than mere branding,” said Peter Knapp, President of Jacobson Global Logistics, Inc. “It reflects the latest step in Jacobson Global Logistics’ commitment to integrating and streamlining our international and domestic logistics services. The integration of Global Transportation Services, Inc., into Jacobson Global Logistics has enhanced the offerings to our customers by delivering the same high quality transportation services we built our reputation on as a group during the past 43 years, while adding the ability to provide our customers with true end to end solutions.”

Jacobson Global Logistics will provide a full range of international logistics services to and from the United States, and within Asia, including freight forwarding (Ocean & Air), PO management, procurement & consolidation, origin value-added services, customs brokerage, bonded warehousing, deconsolidation and DC Bypass, Trans-load and bonded hubs, in addition to international multi modal transport services.

“The Jacobson Global Logistics division and team represents our continued success in providing the complete, end-to-end supply chain that our customers need to ensure their products reach their end markets in a timely and cost efficient manner,” said Brian Lutt, President and CEO of Jacobson Companies. “Our current global customers will continue to receive the same high levels of service they have come to expect, and now have the added benefit of an innovative and fully integrated logistics service partner for their other 3PL needs.”

A group of Jacobson employees poses for a quick photo before participating in Adopt-A-Highway at the intersection of I-80 and NE 14th St. in Des Moines. The group picked up approximately 70 bags of litter.

Adopt-A-Highway is an innovative program developed by the Iowa Department of Transportation to increase public awareness of environmental needs along Iowa highways by making sections of roadsides available for “adoption.” An average of 1,274 groups participate in Iowa’s Adopt-A-Highway program, keeping approximately 32 percent of the state’s roadways litter-free.

“Sponsoring this section of highway is a great way to contribute to our community and is a natural fit with our business,” commented Environmental Coordinator Susan Dalton. “Beyond our stated dedication in our environmental policy, this program shows the strong desire Jacobson and our employees have in making a positive impact on the environment.”

Brian Lutt, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very pleased to have Jim Stillings join Jacobson as Chief Human Resources Officer. Jacobson Companies’ strategy and growth trajectory require a holistic approach to all aspects of our business, tightly coupled with our plans to add breadth and depth to our already strong team of associates. Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team and will lead an added focus on talent development, organization design, Human Resource planning, and training.”

Mr. Stillings began his career with GE in 1977, and held numerous HR positions in GE’s Power Systems Business, GE’s Corporate Headquarters and GE Capital. Since 1997 he has provided HR consulting services across many industries including Warehousing and Distribution, Consumer Services, Financial Services, Private Equity, Technology, Commercial Real Estate and Health Care. He has consulted with Jacobson on a variety of projects since February 2008.

“While there have been a number of occasions to return to a corporate position, it wasn’t until I was approached by Jacobson that my interest was truly sparked,” Stillings said. “Having consulted with Jacobson for the past 3 years, I’m clear on their vision and excited by their growth strategy and prospects. The quality of their leadership combined with their willingness to invest in continuing to strengthen their talent base made this decision an easy one.”

Mr. Stillings assumes his responsibilities in September and will relocate to Jacobson’s worldwide corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.

To read the complete press release, click here.

Jacobson Companies has acquired Singapore-based G-Link Express Logistics. The acquisition allows Jacobson to continue to expand its international platform throughout the Asia Pacific region.

G-Link is a fast growing and experienced ocean and air freight forwarding group with offices strategically located throughout the Asia Pacific region offering international logistics services including customs clearance, local delivery and transportation, warehousing, and cargo management. The acquisition of G-Link allows Jacobson to supplement its existing offerings in Hong Kong and China, as well as expand its capabilities in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Effective immediately, G-Link Express Logistics will begin doing business as Jacobson Global Logistics.

“Our strategy to develop our international logistics business continues in the Asia Pacific region through this acquisition,” said Brian Lutt, President & CEO of Jacobson Companies. “G-Link has built solid customer relationships based on a foundation of customer service excellence, best-in-class operations and value adding end-to-end solutions. The integration of G-Link into Jacobson Global Logistics will strengthen our Asia operations and add new country locations to support the expanding service requirements of our customers.”

Click here to view the entire press release.

SupplyChainBrain named Jacobson to its 2011 100 Great Supply Chain Partner’s lists. The list is compiled by supply chain professional to provide vendors and service providers whose solutions have made a significant impact on their company’s efficiency, customer service and overall supply chain performance.

Jacobson was also recognized on the 2011 Top 3PL by Inbound Logistics, a leading publication for demand-driven logistics. Jacobson has been named to the Top 100 3PL list for six years in a row. The list serves as a qualitative assessment of service providers that are best equipped to meet and surpass evolving outsourcing needs.

Food Logistics also recognized Jacobson on the 2011 Top 100 3PL and Cold Storage Providers list. This list consists of 3PL and cold storage providers that are helping food, beverage and CPG companies gain a competitive logistical advantage.

Jacobson Companies thanks all of our customers for their support in nominating us for these awards!

Meet the Miami Team! Pictured Back row (L to R): Tamara Villavicencio, Javier Vidal, Nathalia Volpato, Jim O’Melia, Phillip Schwab, Alayn Robaina and Inaisy Valdez. Front Row (L to R): Jennifer Backoff, Minerva Bello, Maria Salmon and Ines Morales.

Newly domiciled in a state-of-the-art 26,000 square foot warehouse facility, Miami has fully-staffed import, export, customs house brokerage (CHB) and warehousing teams. Combined with the solid local and regional transportation service providers and a growing network of overseas agents, the Miami team can provide top-flight delivery services right to our international customers’ doors.

“With an emerging middle class and double-digit economic growth, Latin America will continue to be an area of growth for the foreseeable future,” commented Director of Operations for Latin America Phillip Schwab. “Given the U.S. government’s goal of doubling US exports by 2014 and nearly 20 percent growth since 2009, our national trading partners to the south present an excellent opportunity for international transportation.”

The Miami team also boasts an enormous amount of experience. Operations Manager Minerva Bello, a 15-year industry veteran, has spent seven years with GTSI. Miami’s three operational teams of professionals are also led by experts each with a dozen or so years of industry success – Tamara Villavicencio running exports, Jennifer Backoff heading up imports and Javier Vidal on customs brokerage along with Jim O’Melia, director of business development.

To learn more about Jacobson’s Miami facilities, contact Phillip Schwab.

To meet the time-sensitive demands of the client’s supply chain process, Jacobson used experienced associates, project management teams, managers and supervisors to meet the initial challenge of successfully establishing the first combined distribution center for these two leading food companies in Pennsylvania. Although the customer had a compressed timeframe for startup, Jacobson was able to bring the companies together without disruption to business. Jacobson began operation of a 424,000-square-foot facility, complete with a workforce (5/24 schedule with a weekend crew, employing over 70 associates), and customer service group, all while exceeding the customer’s expectations.

Commenting on how impressed they were with the start-up, the director of distribution and transportation for the company said, “The Jacobson ‘CAN DO’ attitude has been nothing short of a blessing to work with!”

Jacobson’s northeast locations, experience in the food industry and campus resources all contributed to the success of this partnership. As a result, the food group was able to leverage its purchasing power in distribution and transportation for the first time, reducing its logistics costs.

To read the entire case study, click here.

Terry Solvedt, EVP of Operations (TLS)

Jacobson Companies has recently named Terry Solvedt as its new executive vice president of operations for its transportation and logistics services business unit. Solvedt will be based in Des Moines, IA, Jacobson’s corporate headquarters.

In his position, Mr. Solvedt will provide operational and strategic leadership for the over-the-road, regional fleets and dedicated asset business as well as carrier services and the Des Moines-based freight management segment.

Scott Temple, president of Jacobson’s transportation and logistics services business unit, commented, “Terry is a fantastic addition to our TLS team, and he is going to play a key role in our continued growth and success.”

Mr. Solvedt comes to Jacobson with 30 years of experience within asset management and maintenance as well as operations and executive management. In previous positions, he was the senior vice president and general manager of Ruan Transport Corporation from 2004 to 2007 before holding the position of vice president at RoadLink USA from 2008 to 2010. Before coming to Jacobson, Mr. Solvedt was an industry advisor with Landes Trucking.

“I am very pleased to join the Jacobson team,” Mr. Solvedt commented. “This company has an outstanding track record of profitable growth and excellent customer service. I appreciate the ‘Can Do’ attitude of every associate, and I look forward to furthering Jacobson Companies’ success.”

Click here for a print version of this press release.

Jacobson Employee Lance Ward shows off one of the new safety shirts funded by the Seattle facility's recycling efforts.

Jacobson’s Seattle area facilities have been recycling for years, and recently, during a Warehouse and Trucking Safety Committee meeting, decided to take their aluminum cans to a paying recycling center to fund safety related items. Specifically, the facilities are purchasing t-shirts with high visibility striping, each requiring funds from 26 pounds worth of aluminum cans. It takes 34 cans to weigh one pound, which equates to 884 cans per t-shirt purchased.

“Our goal by the end of 2012 is to have one shirt for each member of the warehouse and trucking team,” commented Operations Manager Allan Barrie. Based on this goal, the Seattle operation plans to recycle 23,868 cans during this fundraiser. Recycling instead of throwing away these cans will save 1118 gallons of gas and reduce CO2 emissions by 7000 lbs. Last month the Seattle area operations were able to fund two shirts with aluminum can recycling money.

“The shirts recognize the recycling efforts of our crew in Seattle and help to improve ‘being seen’ when worn,” noted Barrie.

John Bartnick, Director of Solutions Design and Project Management

In his position, Mr. Bartnick will provide industrial engineering and solutions design support for Jacobson as well as provide project management support on new operations, WMS installations and network projects. He will be based in Camp Hill, PA.

Stan Schrader, executive vice president of business development for Jacobson’s Contract Logistics Solutions, commented, “We are very pleased that John has joined Jacobson Companies as the Director of Solutions Design and Project Management. As we continue our focus on strategic account management, John’s team will be critical in developing and implementing the solutions that add value to our customers. We look forward to leveraging John’s expertise and experience with Fortune 500 operations to further support our company vision of being the best at managing value-added supply chains, continuously improving operations and driving reliability in the flow of our customers’ goods within the world’s economy.”

Mr. Bartnick comes to Jacobson from EXEL where he held the position of logistics design manager and was responsible for the design and re-design for existing accounts, building layout, work flow, MHE selection and managing multiple projects. He has held various positions within EXEL since 1999 including account manager, general manager and operations manager. Mr. Bartnick holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences from Penn State University.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people within Jacobson Companies,” Bartnick stated. “In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to learning about how the current solutions design and project management group operates and how my experience and talents in design and operations will further enhance Jacobson’s offerings and service.”

To view a print version of this release, click here.

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