When Load Delivered Logistics, a Chicago firm specializing in delivery systems for the food and beverage industries, decided nine months ago to establish its presence on the West Coast, it chose Los Angeles as the place to be.
Robert Nathan, the company’s chief executive, said he chose Del Rey for the office, at 12950 Culver Blvd., it opened in mid-October – its first outside Chicago –because it is centrally located near the ports, Los Angeles International Airport and the Inland Empire’s hub of supply chain and logistics companies and distribution centers.
He also expected Silicon Beach to be helpful for the company’s growth.
“I’m a big believer that being in an ecosystem where there is both technology and supply chain will be positive,” he said. “I believe there will be a lot of collaboration.”
The company also provides logistics services through its software platform and mobile app.
Load Delivered, which has 67 employees at its Chicago headquarters, has just four people in Los Angeles, but Nathan said that he expects to add an additional 16 in the next 12 months and has been recruiting at USC and UCLA.
Established in 2008, the company has worked with Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller distribution networks. Its major clients on the West Coast include Popchips Inc., Mary Ann’s Baking Co. and CVS Caremark Corp.
Nathan said the opening of L.A. office will help the company better serve clients’ logistics needs.
“There are 38 million people living in California,” he said. “That’s a lot of people eating and drinking. We think there is a tremendous amount of opportunity.”
He said he has a three-year plan for further growth domestically as well as Canada and Mexico. The company will then look at expanding internationally.
High-Tech Approach
Xenon Freight Solutions is pitching a new approach to managing its customers’ short-distance logistics needs.
The Long Beach broker of drayage services, or short-distance transportation, has set up a system that allows clients, generally large logistics firms and freight forwarders, to integrate its booking and tracking systems with their software systems. The system, released last month, allows clients to track the first- and last-mile of cargo movement with greater efficiency. Rather than managing drayage themselves, logistics companies can sign into the Xenon system.
Established in 2011, Xenon debuted its software platform in February.
“Calling around to providers across the country can be very cumbersome and time-consuming,” said Stacy Lange, director of key accounts for Xenon.
She said it’s hard for a single logistics company to maintain relationships with short-haul trucking companies throughout the country. But for Xenon, which gets mass booking requests, managing and maintaining relationships with trucking companies is much easier.
The company started out providing drayage services on its stand-alone website, but found it more efficient and time-saving to integrate with each customer’s system.
Two-Wheel Transport
Increasing bike riding has been a longstanding goal for city of L.A. officials. Now it seems Mayor Eric Garcetti might give some new momentum to the issue.
The mayor has proposed a plan to connect cities in Los Angeles County that have bike-share plans and make the plans compatible.
Bike sharing, in short, involves a system of street kiosks where riders who are members of the program can pick up and drop off bikes.
Both Los Angeles and Long Beach have authorized Tustin’s Bike Nation Inc. to develop a system in their cities, but the plans have not yet been implemented.
Garcetti, who has a seat on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, asked the agency to conduct a bike-share industry review. The review, which would offer analysis and recommendations on how to implement a regional bike-share plan, is expected to be completed by January.
Staff reporter Kay Chinn can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 549-5225, ext. 237.
