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Getting food, essentials and everyday goods from distribution centers to store shelves is only part of the logistics puzzle. The real challenge lies in what happens behind the scenes—unloading trailers at 4 a.m. and beyond, the fast, precise movements of pallets across busy docks and the seamless handoff between manpower and machinery. It’s the kind of work that keeps shelves stocked, stores running and communities supplied. At the heart of this critical process is Costa Solutions, bringing structure to demanding warehouse operations through labor best practices, compliance and customer-centric operations. Renowned as one of Texas’ most dependable warehouse labor and freight support, the company specializes in delivering high-performance teams that turn supply chains into well-oiled machines of productivity. Precision, Productivity and People Costa’s services include time-tested, innovative and effective solutions for unloading, packaging, production support and warehouse services. The company stands apart through its productivity-based business model, which directly ties team member compensation to performance. “We highly incentivize our team members for their speed, efficiency, safety and attendance. That allows us to have excellent throughput without our customers having to worry about hiring, dealing with insurance/injury claims, lawsuits, or safety,” says Chris Jaynes, president. The company has developed proprietary standard operating procedures (SOP) that every team member follows daily. These SOPs, combined with embedded collaboration in client systems through KPI integrations and communications, enable seamless data exchange and constant visibility. Customers can monitor KPIs, productivity metrics and throughput in real-time through shared dashboards. Such levels of visibility foster a high level of trust and accountability, allowing customers to focus on core competencies like sales and growth while Costa handles the ground game. Turning Risk into Reliability Costa’s service excellence is built on decades of hands-on experience. The company's story began during the “lawsuit era” of the mid-to late-1980s when warehouse operators across Texas were scrambling for legal protection. Back then, warehouse work was largely handled by freelance laborers. The whole system was rife with injury claims, lawsuits and liability nightmares. Chris’ father, who was working for a staffing agency at the time, recognized a market desperate for more structure. In response, he built a bonded, insured business that would offer precisely compliant structured labor for high-risk warehouse environments.
A driver arrives at a pickup location right on schedule. The paperwork appears complete, the truck is branded, and everything seems in order. But one small mismatch in the details—an unfamiliar contact name, an outdated insurance certificate—raises a quiet concern. In many cases, that’s all it takes for a high-value load to be handed over to the wrong person. Cargo theft rarely announces itself. It slips through unnoticed, taking advantage of rushed processes, fragmented communication, and manual checks that leave room for error. As the industry accelerates, so does the risk—not because companies are careless, but because legacy systems haven’t kept pace. This is exactly where STT Logistics Group delivers value. More than a freight broker, it acts as a full-service logistics partner, blending operational precision with top-tier security protocols. STT Logistics Group builds its operations around proactive verification and structured workflows—closing the gaps that typically lead to cargo theft or delivery errors. At the heart of this system is a custom-built mobile app, used by every driver to complete a rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This includes validation of identity, licenses, insurance, and operational authority. An AI-powered system conducts the first round of checks. If anything requires further review, a dedicated back-office team manually verifies the details. Every step—from driver selection to load assignment—is tracked and cross-referenced. Before a pickup occurs, shippers receive verified credentials, ensuring the person on-site is fully authorized and cleared. "Our back office team verifies each driver through an AI process, cross-checking insurance, licenses and any claims. If AI doesn’t clear them, manual approval makes sure that they’re authorized, insured and reliable before dispatching. This guarantees only qualified drivers handle our shipments,” says Andre Corbert, CEO of STT Logistics Group.
The logistics industry is in a state of flux. With rising tariffs, growing security concerns and unexpected global disruptions, it’s time for traditional supply chain models to be revamped. That’s precisely where ITF Group makes all the difference. As an asset-based 3PL provider, it uses a dedicated fleet equipped with dual-GPS tracking systems and integrated technology platforms to deliver reliable, full-service logistics. Its transportation, warehousing, global forwarding and fulfillment services are supported by a transportation management system (TMS) that offers clients live shipment visibility and instant proof-of-deliveries (POD). This enables ITF Group to take a proactive, value-driven approach that aligns every logistics move with the client’s cost-efficiency goals and service expectations. “The solutions we provide to our clients and how we support their business are all focused on optimizing and reducing their transportation costs while helping improve their quality of service,” says Sam Burkhan, CEO. Client-First Logistics Excellence With a fleet of over 400 trucks and nearly 2,000 trailers, ITF Group brings more than capacity; it brings commitment. It operates as a true strategic partner, focused on long-term value over transactional service. In a market shaped by constant change, its client-first mindset provides a practical framework that drives every solution. What truly sets ITF Group apart is the dedication of its people. For each client account, the company assigns a dedicated team of managers who handle the tracking, tracing and ontime delivery performance. In addition, the ability to provide equipment solutions such as drop trailers and real-time visibility to the equipment enables it to pre-plan all of the shipments three to four days in advance for its clients. This approach, shaped by ongoing client requirements, enables ITF Group to address the core challenges businesses face every day. Two key concerns are tariffs and rising cargo theft. With shifting trade policies, companies struggle to predict shipping costs, while security breaches threaten supply chains. ITF Group mitigates these risks head-on, understanding each client’s exposure and supporting their business through targeted actions, adaptable planning and a deep understanding of individual pain points. End-to-End Solutions That Optimize Performance ITF Group’s portfolio spans transportation, warehousing, distribution and fulfillment. What makes these services stand out is how they’re integrated through technology—offering visibility and enhanced control.
Andrew (Drew) Thompson, Director of Fleet Management, Ben E. Keith Beverages
William Diamond, Head of Fleet Management, UniFirst
Kevin Larkin, Transportation Manager, Proximo Spirits
Adam McKinney, General Transportation Manager, Walmart
Kenny Zugg, Director of Logistics, Kokosing
Reinventing Logistics: The Next Chapter in International Freight
From robot-powered warehouses to AI-optimized delivery routes, logistics is no longer just about moving goods. It’s about moving smarter, faster, and greener. This transformation is fueled by technological advancements and a growing commitment to sustainability, reshaping every stage of the supply chain. At the heart of this shift are automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, technologies reshaping freight management. In modern warehouses, automation streamlines inventory control, cuts costs and speeds up fulfillment. Robotics and smart sorting systems are becoming essential in high-volume facilities, delivering the accuracy and efficiency that today’s on-demand economy requires. AI-driven predictive analytics further enhance operations by forecasting inventory needs, optimizing stock levels, and minimizing waste. These technologies are creating faster, leaner, and more sustainable warehousing systems. Transportation is evolving in parallel, driven by digitalization and real-time connectivity. Telematics and GPS tracking offer live shipment visibility, improving coordination and customer transparency. Route optimization algorithms reduce fuel consumption, cut delays, and increase fleet efficiency, showing how technology is reshaping every mile. Even heavy hauling, long considered the logistically complex segment of freight transport, is being modernized with advanced equipment and smarter logistics ensuring the safe, efficient movement of oversized cargo. These aren’t passing trends but a significant shift toward intelligent, sustainable logistics. In this edition of Logistics and Transportation Review, we spotlight the industry leaders driving this change. We feature the top-tier warehousing provider, full-service transportation firm and heavy-haul innovator setting new performance and customer service standards. We also tap into the minds of leading industry experts to bring you forward-thinking perspectives on where logistics is headed. Adam Spannbauer, Director of Fleet Operations at Cornerstone Building Brands, highlights that while technology drives progress, diverse and inclusive teams power innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth across the supply chain. Andrew Thompson, Director of Fleet Management at Ben E. Keith Beverages, offers a practical framework rooted in three core principles: mission, people, and fundamentals. His “tips and reminders” approach highlights the value of clarity, team alignment, and consistent execution for lasting success. As logistics continues to evolve, the convergence of digital innovation, automation, and sustainability is reinventing how goods move across the globe. We hope this edition sparks fresh ideas and conversations. Let us know your thoughts!
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