Top 10 3PLs: Readers’ Choice Excellence Awards

From gateway closures to off-peak demand surges, the news facing our readers may be late breaking, but the issues can’t become dealbreakers. Managing supply chains and meeting shifting consumer needs, our audience demands solutions, and the third-party logistics (3PL) providers featured in the following pages come up with effective ones, every single time.

The companies garnering a spot in our Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards earned votes and accolades for their consistency and ability to ensure operational continuity, whether that means managing shippers’ inventory or delivering freight on time and within budget.

Reliable and adaptable, the 3PLs on this short list provide creative solutions and tech-enabled answers. For example, survey takers repeatedly lauded top-spot occupier Echo Global Logistics for its ability to come through amidst turbulence.

“Carrier rate volatility this quarter made it nearly impossible to lock in competitive pricing without burning hours on manual outreach,” says one voter, a logistics coordinator. “That pressure is exactly where Echo Global Logistics separated itself from the pack. Its algorithmic carrier-bidding engine automatically solicited bids across their carrier network and returned real-time feedback on pricing and capacity, which meant we were comparing live market rates in minutes rather than days.”

“Pressure,” “backlog,” “logistics headaches,” and “staffing constraints” were just a few of the problems voters cited. “Keeping inventory positioned right across channels took more discipline this year, and the 3PLs carrying their weight stood out fast,” says one distribution coordinator.

In total, our readers cast around 13,000 votes and heaped praise on the Top 10 3PLs for their role in maintaining supply chain fluidity, even in the face of geopolitical conflict. They achieve this by leveraging their expertise, experience, resources, and tech tools to manage all or part of a shipper’s transportation and logistics operations.

“Proactive” was a word voters used often to describe these companies—they anticipated problems before they escalated and offered guidance as a partner. “The team flagged capacity tightness early and came back with workable options,” says one distribution coordinator. “Execution stayed steady across the board.” Says a fleet manager about seventh-place R2 Logistics, “The company has always been extremely friendly and proactive with not only me, but my drivers as well. They place value on relationships and treat everyone as a true partner.”

Survey participants represent a range of verticals from automotive to pharmaceutical companies to well-known retailers such as Dollar General, Target, and Walmart. They include supply chain decision-makers from household names such as Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Costco, CVS, and Google.

Turning logistics from an operational challenge into a growth advantage, the Top 10 3PLs keep their clients’ day-to-day operations humming, no matter the headlines.

 

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1. ECHO GLOBAL LOGISTICS

Echo Global Logistics is a leading logistics and transportation management provider with more than 60 locations across North America. 

Echo hosts a full suite of supply chain solutions which is supported by robust transportation technology and an extensive team of dedicated experts. 

This sturdy framework allows Echo to offer service for all major modes, including Truckload, Partial Truckload, LTL, Intermodal, Parcel, Cross-Border, Drop-Trailer and Trailer Pool, Container Management and Drayage, Food-Grade and Temperature-Controlled shipping and warehousing, and Warehouse Services. 

Over the course of more than 20 years in business, Echo has grown exponentially, regularly incorporating new advancements into its suite of offerings, including services such as Retail and Refrigerated Consolidation, additional locations in Mexico to better support its long-existing cross-border solutions, acquiring fast-growing companies such as ITS Logistics, and continuing to invest in proprietary technology. 

Each of Echo’s service areas include multi-modal teams of experts who continue to build on the foundation Echo has established. For instance, most recently, Echo’s Mexico division expanded its service portfolio to include intra-Mexico transportation, in addition to the cross-border and customs brokerage solutions already established. This type of regular and continuous growth has enabled the company to stay ahead of market fluctuations and industry challenges, allowing Echo to continue to provide a seamless and simplified transportation experience for the more than 50,000 transportation providers and more than 35,000 clients which count on Echo.

Customer Roster

• Culligan International
• Duracell
• Greenheck
• Johnstone Supply
• Ghost
• Tire Rack
• The Container Store

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2. Hub Group

Hub Group delivers innovative, industry-leading transportation and logistics solutions to customers across multiple industries. Backed by an expansive North American network, a robust fleet, strategic relationships, and advanced visibility tools, Hub Group helps customers simplify complexity, improve performance and create measurable value across their operations.

From intermodal and dedicated trucking to managed transportation, brokerage, final mile, and consolidation and fulfillment, Hub Group brings together the right mix of capacity, expertise, and technology to meet each customer’s needs. Its customized solutions are designed to support seasonal demand, scale with growth and deliver the service, reliability, and quality customers expect.

Hub Group’s award-winning logistics solutions help customers reduce costs, elevate service and build a more efficient supply chain. The company uses proprietary technology, multimodal network optimization, and a strategic warehouse footprint to help customers stage inventory, fulfill both B2B and D2C orders, and improve retail compliance with confidence. Through a customer-first operating model, Hub Group centralizes communication, accountability, and continuous improvement—creating a seamless experience focused on savings, performance, and long-term success.

With approximately 6,000 employees and drivers across the globe, Hub Group continues to go above and beyond every day for customers—combining service, integrity and innovation to deliver smarter, more resilient supply chain solutions.

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3. Kenco

Kenco combines the scale and capabilities of a leading North American 3PL with the responsiveness and personal attention of a local logistics partner. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the privately held company supports complex supply chains across the United States and Canada while remaining agile enough to tailor solutions around each customer’s operation.

Its integrated capabilities include value-added distribution and fulfillment, transportation services, supply chain engineering, automation, and Kenco MHE Solutions®, which provides comprehensive material handling equipment, fleet management, maintenance, and optimization.

Kenco’s approach is grounded in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and a culture that puts safety first. Through Kenco Operating Solutions, experienced teams apply proven processes, data, and technology to improve performance, control costs, and build more sustainable, resilient supply chains.

Innovation remains central to Kenco’s growth strategy. Opening in fall 2026, the company’s new Innovation Lab, located in Chattanooga, will provide an expanded environment for testing, validating, and deploying robotics, automation, and digital supply chain technologies before they enter live customer operations. This practical approach helps reduce implementation risk while accelerating measurable results.

For more than 75 years, Kenco has continued to grow through changing economic conditions and challenging logistics markets by staying focused on customers, associates, and long-term partnerships. That longevity reflects a disciplined commitment to service, innovation, safety, and shared success.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the customers and partners who trust us to support their supply chains every day,” said Denis Reilly, President and CEO of Kenco. “This recognition reflects our team’s commitment to delivering the service and expertise our customers depend on.”

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4. ShipStation Global (formerly WWEX Group)

ShipStation Global, created from the merger of WWEX Group and Auctane, is the #1 intelligent logistics platform for small and mid-sized shippers. We power millions of businesses and billions of shipments annually—giving growing companies the scale, technology, and expert support they need to use logistics as a competitive advantage.

We operate a portfolio of trusted brands including Worldwide Express, GlobalTranz, Unishippers, ShipStation, and Stamps.com across shipping, freight, and fulfillment, with a commitment to building the most comprehensive end-to-end logistics platform in the market. Because when logistics works, businesses win.

Parcel
As the leaders in multi-carrier shipping technology, ShipStation Global boasts longstanding partnerships with leading parcel carriers and offers best-in-class shipping rates to businesses of all sizes.

Freight
Whether it’s LTL, truckload, or specialty freight, we connect shippers to an expansive freight carrier network, tailored solutions, and continuous capacity. Our carrier partnerships and buying power give customers the flexibility and confidence to move freight efficiently and cost-effectively.

Technology
Designed to help customers work more efficiently and make smarter decision across the logistics chain, ShipStationGlobal’s powerful technology solutions offer unrivaled functionality and intelligence.

People
ShipStation Global is built on a people-first culture grounded in service, accountability, and innovation. Our teams don’t just move shipments—they move businesses forward and make it right for our customers. This commitment has made us one of the fastest-growing 3PLs.

Awards
ShipStation Global has been recognized by Transport Topics 2026 as the #4 Top Freight Brokerage and a Top 100 Logistics Company, ranked #14.

“We’ve built ShipStation Global on the belief that logistics should make business easier, not harder,” said Tom Madine, ShipStation Global CEO. “It’s our scale, people, technology, and carrier partnerships that turn shipping into a real advantage for our customers.”

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5. DHL SUPPLY CHAIN

DHL Supply Chain North America, part of the DHL Group, stands at the forefront of the logistics industry, recognized as a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Third-Party Logistics for the 11th consecutive year. As North America’s largest contract logistics provider within DHL Group, the company delivers integrated solutions that help customers increase agility, resilience, and visibility across their supply chains in an increasingly complex business environment.

A key differentiator is DHL Supply Chain’s focus on digitalization and automation. By providing enhanced supply chain visibility and actionable insights, the company helps customers adapt to economic uncertainty and changing consumer demands. DHL Supply Chain has achieved significant automation milestones, including picking more than one billion units with collaborative robots and deploying advanced technologies such as Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot.

Sustainability remains central to the company’s strategy. The deployment of more than 100 electric yard trucks and 20 electric over-the-road trucks supports efforts to reduce emissions while maintaining operational efficiency and meeting customer demand for sustainable logistics solutions.

The company also invests heavily in its people through training, development, and mentorship programs that help build a highly skilled workforce capable of delivering exceptional customer service.

Recent acquisitions, including Inmar Supply Chain Solutions and IDS Fulfillment, have strengthened DHL Supply Chain’s reverse logistics leadership in North America and expanded services for small and midsize businesses. Acquisitions such as CRYOPDP and SDS Rx further enhance the company’s ability to deliver integrated solutions across every stage of the life sciences and healthcare supply chain.

Serving leading brands such as Carhartt, Kenvue, and Advanced Drainage Systems, DHL Supply Chain continues to set industry standards. CEO Mark Kunar emphasizes, “Customer supply chain needs are creating a transformative environment, necessitating innovation and adaptability to thrive in the current landscape. At DHL Supply Chain, we use our expertise and product solutions to adapt and grow, ensuring that we remain a key partner to our customers.”

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6. Lynden

Over land, on the water, in the air—or in any combination—Lynden has been helping customers solve transportation problems for almost a century. Operating in challenging locations around the globe, Lynden has built a reputation of superior service to diverse industries including oil and gas, mining, construction, retail, and manufacturing. The Lynden family of companies delivers a completely integrated freight transportation package including truckload and less-than-truckload transportation, scheduled and charter barges, rail barges, intermodal bulk chemical hauls, scheduled and chartered air freighters, domestic and international air forwarding, international ocean forwarding, customs brokerage, trade-show shipping, remote site construction, sanitary bulk commodities hauling, 3PL warehousing and distribution, and multi-modal logistics. At Lynden, complex transportation problems are solved with the right people, with the right tools and the right experience.

From origin to destination, over any terrain, managing freight movement, as well as the flow of information, Lynden provides innovative solutions to meet customers’ unique needs. By focusing on challenging opportunities and developing niche markets, Lynden seamlessly adapts to changing market conditions and requirements. This approach has been key to its evolution from an Alaska and Washington trucking company to a diverse global transportation and logistics company. From humble beginnings as a two-horse operation in Lynden, WA, to pioneering over-the-road service from the Lower 48 to Alaska in the 1950s, the Lynden family of companies still operates under the original philosophy: put the customer first, work hard, deliver quality and be the best.

“Lynden’s role extends well beyond moving freight,” says Brian MacAskill, President of Lynden Logistics. “We help customers navigate complexity through 3PL solutions that strengthen supply chains, mitigate risk, and create long-term value. In today’s environment, success is measured not only by speed and cost, but by the ability to anticipate change and respond with confidence.”

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7. R2 Logistics

R2 Logistics has built a strong reputation as a trusted leader in the transportation and logistics industry by remaining committed to its guiding principle: “Customer Service is Priority Number One.” This philosophy is more than a slogan—it is the foundation of every customer interaction and every solution the company provides. R2 understands that no two businesses have the same supply chain requirements, which is why it takes a personalized approach to every partnership.

The experienced team at R2 Logistics works closely with each customer to gain a deep understanding of their operations, objectives, and unique transportation challenges. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all services, R2 develops customized logistics strategies designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create long-term value. This collaborative approach allows the company to build lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and consistent performance instead of focusing solely on individual transactions.

In today’s rapidly evolving freight market, businesses need both reliable service and real-time visibility into their supply chains. R2 Logistics addresses these needs through its advanced Transportation Management System (TMS), which provides customers with powerful tools to manage shipments more effectively. The platform offers enhanced visibility, real-time tracking, actionable reporting, and data-driven insights that enable shippers to make informed decisions, respond quickly to market changes, and optimize their transportation networks.

By combining exceptional customer service with innovative technology, R2 Logistics delivers solutions that help customers navigate complex supply chain challenges with confidence. Whether supporting day-to-day transportation needs or developing long-term logistics strategies, R2 remains focused on helping businesses improve operational performance and achieve sustainable growth. This unwavering commitment to service, innovation, and partnership continues to distinguish R2 Logistics as a dependable logistics provider and a valued extension of its customers’ supply chain operations.

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8. PLS Logistics

PLS Logistics Services has spent more than three decades earning its place among North America’s leading third-party logistics providers. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, PLS built its reputation in flatbed and open deck freight before expanding into a comprehensive suite of transportation solutions spanning truckload, LTL, rail, and managed transportation services.

Today that suite extends beyond domestic borders. PLS offers international freight forwarding and import and export services, giving customers a single partner for freight that moves globally as well as across the country. For shippers managing complex supply chains, that means fewer handoffs, fewer providers to coordinate, and one team accountable from origin to final delivery.

Everything PLS does comes back to three core tenets: Visibility, Capacity, and Confidence. With our proprietary TMS and PLS IQ reporting suite we deliver the Visibility customers need on the KPIs that drive their business. Our 55,000+ strong carrier network brings our customers the Capacity needed to deliver where they need, when they need it, and with service beyond just on-time delivery. All of this gives PLS customers the Confidence that their transportation logistics are going to run smoothly in any market. That standard applies to every load, every lane, and every customer relationship. It is why shippers who start with PLS stay with PLS.

As a privately held company, PLS is able and executing on our commitment to invest heavily in our technology platform. This includes our AI-powered tools that automate carrier matching, accelerate quoting, and surface insights before problems become disruptions, pairing machine intelligence with the judgment of experienced logistics professionals. Our proprietary TMS, PLS Pro, is built for logistics professionals both internally and externally while being designed for direct integration with every customer system.

From spot market execution to fully outsourced transportation management to global freight forwarding, PLS delivers the scale of a national provider with the responsiveness of a dedicated partner.

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9. ODW Logistics

The recognition comes during a period of continued investment in ODW’s long-term growth strategy, leadership team, technology capabilities, and associate experience, all aimed at helping customers navigate increasingly complex supply chain challenges.

For over 50 years, ODW Logistics has supported leading brands in optimizing supply chains, reducing costs, and scaling effectively. As a leading provider of contract logistics, freight consolidation, and managed transportation, ODW delivers integrated solutions for B2B and direct-to-consumer shippers.

ODW transforms logistics challenges into growth opportunities through collaboration, transparency, and long-term partnerships. Its integrated solutions connect network design, warehousing, distribution, retail consolidation, e-commerce fulfillment, value-added services, and managed transportation to help customers improve service levels, increase agility, and reduce total landed costs. With more than 9 million square feet of strategically located distribution space nationwide, ODW positions inventory within two days of 90% of U.S. consumers, supporting hundreds of national and global brands.

ODW’s Retail Consolidation program is among the industry’s most established networks, connecting shippers with more than 100 retail partners nationwide. The program improves efficiency, lowers transportation costs, reduces retailer fines, and simplifies operations through freight consolidation, optimized load design, and maximum trailer utilization. Supported by ODW’s proprietary TM-Link platform and transportation experts, customers gain improved on-time performance, greater retail compliance, enhanced visibility, and lower carbon emissions.

“This recognition reflects the strength of relationships, the dedication of our associates, and the trust our customers place in ODW every day. As we continue to grow, we’re committed to building on the values that have guided us for more than 50 years while creating even greater value for the customers we serve,” says John R. Ness, CEO, ODW Logistics.

Through its integrated approach, advanced technology, and commitment to innovation, ODW helps businesses build resilient, scalable supply chains while delivering the expertise and operational excellence needed to create lasting competitive advantage.

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10. Ryder

Ryder is a nearly $13-billion leading provider of outsourced logistics and transportation services throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Ryder offers supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions to some of the world’s most recognizable brands in 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 the nearly $2 billion in strategic investments it has made since 2021 to develop, acquire, and invest in innovative customer-facing technologies, products, and services.

Ryder’s technology suite includes the one-of-a-kind visibility and collaboration platform RyderShare™, 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, RyderShip™, enabling scalable e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment solutions for brands big and small. For last-mile big-and-bulky deliveries, RyderView™ enables consumers to self-schedule deliveries and provides all parties notifications, order tracking, and 100% real-time visibility.

Whether managing the entire port-to-door journey or a piece of it, Ryder has the technology, infrastructure, and expertise—the result of years of deep industry experience, strategic acquisitions, maintaining and operating hundreds of thousands of trucks, piloting automation, and developing technology platforms that keep it all connected. Every piece of it was built to help companies solve today’s supply chain challenges—and anticipate tomorrow’s.

Customer Roster

• BJC HealthCare
• Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
• Turkey Hill
• Hill’s Pet Nutrition
• Ernesta
• Stance Socks

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