THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING
Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Logistics Transportation Review
When a major American automotive manufacturer found its supply chain paralyzed and trucks idling at the border, it wasn’t one of the global logistics conglomerates that came to the rescue. Instead, the call went to a mid-sized Canadian firm: Jack Rutherford Customs Brokers Limited (part of The Rutherford Group). The company had trucks moving again within two hours on a Friday afternoon. By Monday, the automaker had entrusted them with its entire Canadian business. This is how the firm operates. Not by scale alone, but by agility and a fierce commitment to client service. In a $10-billion Canadian customs brokerage industry dominated by faceless giants, that approach is quietly winning it business. From Brokerage to Full-Service Partner International trade has always been about scale. The largest brokers handle thousands of daily transactions, built on industrial efficiency and digital portals. In the process, clients, especially smaller importers, often find themselves lost in bureaucratic red tape, unable to reach a human voice when shipments stall. Rutherford sees its opening there. “Clients come to us because they want service. They want a person to talk to,” says Bob Tamblyn, President. That deceptively simple value proposition—accessibility—has become a differentiator in a sector known more for opacity than transparency. Founded more than half a century ago, Rutherford built its name serving small and medium importers, defined by Canadian regulators as those with fewer than 2,500 entries a year. Over time, it has attracted multinationals, too, often dissatisfied with the rigid systems of their larger brokers. What began as a brokerage has evolved into something closer to a full-service trade solutions group. Under the Rutherford Group banner, the company now operates bonded and FDA-approved warehouses in Michigan, a network of domestic and cross-border trucks, and a growing freight forwarding arm spanning China, Europe, and Australia. The goal is to offer importers and exporters one point of contact across the complexity of global trade. “Clients don’t have to change their business to accommodate us,” notes May Marlow, Director of Customs Compliance. “We change to accommodate them.” Rutherford builds the account around the client, not the other way around. Some want to review entry documents before submission; others need billing split across multiple entities, or invoicing in different currencies depending on destination. The team will configure workflows, approvals, and billing so the importer’s operations don’t have to conform to a broker’s template. That flexibility extends to compliance and audits: Rutherford frequently manages CBSA reviews, prepares files, and advocates on the client’s behalf.
Craters & Freighters has established itself as a leader in ensuring the safe transportation of valuable assets through superior crating and packing solutions. Their expertise ensures that each item, whether it's a sensitive server rack or an expensive aerospace component, reaches its destination in pristine condition. The company’s custom-designed crates are built to absorb shock and prevent damage, safeguarding assets and upholding the integrity of your brand. With a nationwide network of offices and a multitude of global resources, Craters & Freighters provides customers with specialty crating, packaging, and a seamless transportation process. This extensive infrastructure ensures that no matter where a client is based, their valuable items are handled with the utmost care and precision. Local representatives across the country take full responsibility for ensuring the safety of these items and are always available to address any questions or concerns. Finding a specialty crating, packing, and shipping company to handle custom jobs can be a significant task, but Craters & Freighters welcomes the challenge. Their teams are eager to develop the perfect solution for each unique need, demonstrating a commitment to overcoming any obstacles to achieve successful outcomes. Three Decades of Excellence For over 30 years, Craters & Freighters has been a trusted name in crating and shipping high-value assets. Their commitment to quality and precision has made them the go-to partner for industries ranging from Information Technology, Aerospace components, Medical equipment, heavy machinery and more. With more than 65 locations nationwide, Craters & Freighters offers the largest footprint among crating companies in the U.S., providing unparalleled reach and accessibility. Tailored Solutions for Diverse Industries Craters & Freighters serves a wide range of commercial businesses, offering specialized services that meet the unique needs of each industry. Their extensive network allows them to deliver customized solutions efficiently, leveraging their local presence and national strength to meet diverse client demands seamlessly. “It doesn’t matter where our client is based; we have the infrastructure and capabilities to fulfill their requirements,” says Matthew Schmitz, CEO of Craters & Freighters. Engineering Excellence at Their Core The in-house engineering team at Craters & Freighters is at the heart of their operations, specializing in high-end, customized crates. Engineering is crucial in the custom crating and packing industry, where precision and attention to detail are paramount. The process starts with a detailed analysis of client product drawings, utilizing advanced 3D modeling to understand critical factors such as weight distribution, material composition, and sensitivity. This comprehensive analysis ensures every aspect of the item is considered, leading to custom solutions tailored to each client’s unique requirements. State-of-the-art equipment, including CNC panel saws and automatic feeder-up-cut saws, ensures precision and consistency in every crate built. The integration of advanced technology facilitates complex crate designs, enhancing the protective capabilities with innovative materials and techniques such as anti-static foams, moisture-vapor-proof barriers, and reinforced structures.
In the world of logistics, where precision meets pressure and each delivery is a race against the clock, few stories inspire like that of Tamela Colson. When tragedy struck the Colson family in January 2022, claiming her brother Donald, it could have marked the end of their shared dream. Instead, it became the beginning of a new chapter for VIP Courier Express, the family business they had built together to redefine the art of freight delivery with unmatched expertise and dedication. Determined to honor their shared vision, Tamela embraced the full weight of responsibility and channeled her grief into the strength needed to keep the business thriving. In an industry where leadership roles have traditionally been dominated by men, Tamela’s leadership transformed VIP Courier Express into a symbol of excellence. Her profound understanding of the multifaceted demands of the trucking business—from HR and payroll to DOT compliance and supply chain management—shattered stereotypes and showcased her comprehensive knowledge of running a successful freight company. “Over the last 30 months, my focus has been on preserving our shared legacy and keeping our vision alive for both our families and the dedicated employees who have been a part of this journey with us,” says Tamela.
David Beckerman, SVP and CIO, the Pasha Group
Michael Owings, Vice President of IT Solutions, Southeastern Freight Lines
Ben Bidwell, Senior Director Customs and Compliance, & Anahi Czeszewski, Manager, Learning & Development, C.H. Robinson
Aron A. Scalissi, Vice President of Warehouse Business Development, TA Services
Natasha Rich, Manager of Supply Chain Operations, OIA GLOBAL
Darren Levine, Vice-President, Information Technology, Contrans Group Inc
Brian Gaunt, Vice President of Digitalization, DHL Supply Chain
Where Automation Finds Balance with Workforce Harmony
From bustling retail hubs to round-the-clock manufacturing plants across the APAC region, the question has shifted from who works where and when to how intelligently the schedule itself adapts. Automated scheduling and workforce management platforms are emerging as the silent backbone of productivity, aligning labor, demand and compliance in real-time. These systems go far beyond static calendars. AI engines forecast workload fluctuations, map employee availability and match shifts with skills, certifications or fatigue limits. Cloud dashboards update minute by minute as managers approve requests, automate replacements or adjust coverage. For the worker, it means clarity and predictability; for the enterprise, a schedule that breathes with the rhythm of its operations. In markets such as Singapore, Australia and Japan, where labor costs are rising and flexible work is gaining policy support, adoption is accelerating. The manufacturing and service sectors are digitalizing shift planning to offset labor shortages, while emerging economies in Southeast Asia are utilizing mobile-based scheduling to unify large, distributed workforces. The numbers mirror this transformation. The global workforce management market is projected to reach $22.4 billion by 2030, with APAC recording one of the fastest growth rates. The magazine features a thought-provoking article by Nathan Kurland, Chief Revenue Officer at Trimac Transportation and Guillaume Couture, Quality Assurance Manager, Kerry. We hope this edition offers insights that help business leaders and workforce innovators navigate change, strengthen operational agility and stay prepared for what’s next in a region where automation, data intelligence and cloud-driven scheduling are redefining the future of productivity, performance and people management across the Asia-Pacific.
© 2025 Logistics Transportation Review. All Rights Reserved.
