Vanguard Logistics Services And RoadLink Announce New Intermodal Collaboration
Vanguard Logistics Services, a member of the OTS Logistics Group, recently announced that it is partnering with RoadLink to launch a new national inland intermodal service that combines neutral ocean services with a neutral drayage product and an unparalleled technology platform. "DrayMate," the name of the new service, is also the name of the underlying software, and is the result of a strategic alliance between Vanguard and RoadLink. It will, for the first time, provide the U.S. and International NVOCC community with access to a transparent end-to-end service offering.
"RoadLink's approach is to identify and develop strategic business relationships with the recognized leaders within markets we service. We are particularly thrilled to become partners with Vanguard in ushering in a whole new dimension of Intermodal transportation which will now be available to the U.S. domestic customs broker and freight forwarding community," said Chris Munro, the president and chief executive officer of RoadLink.
By aligning with RoadLink, Vanguard has created a national drayage footprint with a common information technology system. This innovation will enable all of its domestic and international offices and agents to immediately access a reliable and competitive drayage product that they can simultaneously offer to their customers while quoting core ocean services.
"If you look at this industry today, there are about 5,500 companies that classify themselves as local drayage operators," Munro said. "The majority, by far, are small owner-operator companies with an average of 10 - 12 vehicles who have historically been the principal service providers to the NVOCC markets. The RoadLink - Vanguard alliance will drastically consolidate this effort."
Charlie Brennan, the Global CEO of Vanguard, said, "We were particularly attracted to RoadLink's neutral profile in building this product. Our customers worldwide are going to benefit through this alliance. They will now have the ability to extend the U.S. origin or U.S. destination ocean leg with a cohesive and seamless drayage component, and all through one portal. With DrayMate, Vanguard customer service staff worldwide can quote a reliable competitive drayage product instantly and provide a complete 'door move' product. The new product will offer Vanguard customers and staff around the world online instant visibility to the first mile or the last mile in a Full Container Load movement."
By offering complete intermodal logistics services, Vanguard and RoadLink will provide a seamless moving network for more than 170 global partners in Canada, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, Europe and South America who are seeking a U.S. drayage product.
The partnership with Vanguard represents a significant milestone for RoadLink as it is the first time Atlanta-based RoadLink has entered into a formal relationship within the NVOCC community. "This new partnership with Vanguard is RoadLink's first major initiative within the NVOCC community, and it clearly demonstrates our commitment to Vanguard and the forwarding and customs brokerage markets which they serve," said RoadLink CEO Munro.
About Vanguard Logistics Services:
VLS is the world's largest neutral ocean freight consolidator. With its own direct services between hundreds of origin and destination port combinations worldwide, VLS operates the biggest owned facility network in the neutral freight consolidation industry. In addition to more than 60 of its own operational offices worldwide, VLS also operates its own consolidation warehouses and receiving stations in many locations. This allows VLS to provide unparalleled visibility and cargo handling for participants in international supply chains that need to rely on dependable ocean freight services. An exclusive agency network extends this infrastructure to more than 150 points of presence in more than 80 countries. VLS consolidates and moves more than 3 million CBM of freight every year through this global network. For more information about VLS, visit www.vls-global.com.
About RoadLink:
RoadLink is North America's largest, privately held intermodal logistics provider. The company provides customers with a unique combination of value-added services, including capabilities in logistics planning, asset management, intermodal transportation, integrated transportation and distribution solutions, and warehouse/freight handling. RoadLink's resulting "IntermodaLogistics" solutions enable customers to utilize the company's more than 60 Service Centers, 50 on-site customer locations, 2,200 vehicles and more than 5,000 Associates and Independent Contractors to capitalize on market opportunities and solve market challenges. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, RoadLink is owned by Fenway Partners, LLC, a private equity firm based in New York that partners with management to create companies with strong strategic positions and significant opportunities for growth in the logistics and consumer sectors. For more information about RoadLink, visit www.roadlink.com. Additional information about Fenway Partners is available at www.FenwayPartners.com.
SOURCE: Vanguard Logistics Services