The fast-paced logistics industry is becoming increasingly interconnected as shippers, carriers, and brokers work together to streamline operations. Superior services, underpinned by robust technology and improved collaboration, will play a vital role in this evolution.

OTR Transportation has built a stellar reputation in the industry due to its solid customer and carrier relationships and veteran team of brokers trained to provide personalized service, combined with its proprietary software. Leveraging its extensive network of qualified carriers, the company optimizes supply chains for customers across the country, and in Canada and Mexico.

OTR Transportation is only eight years old, but its staff has a combined experience of over 200 years in logistics. Drawing on its in-depth industry knowledge, the team handles the unexpected, thinking outside the box and finding solutions to even the most unusual challenges.

“You need to figure out how to make customers’ lives easier and pivot if situations change,” says Jon Braun, CEO of OTR Transportation. “To stay relevant, you have to be prepared to offer creative solutions to boost efficiency.”

A majority of OTR’s business is focused on the food and beverage space, which involves refrigerated products with a short shelf life that need to be delivered quickly. This presents challenges that do not exist for other kinds of freight.

OTR’s food and beverage customers rely on temperature-controlled warehousing to deliver fresh products on time. However, a recent disruption in operations at a leading cold storage and distribution facility spelled trouble for multiple customers. Distribution became a major hassle, and they had to make small batches of deliveries to multiple customers instead of delivering full truckloads to distribution centers.

OTR was able to leverage relationships with the end users, comprising food retailers and food service companies, and facilitate the timely distribution of goods with its carrier partners. Customers were able to continue to serve end users without interruption.

OTR’s superior customer service is facilitated by its advanced proprietary software, which enables its sales representative to maximize efficiencies. Data is displayed on the internal load board in a manner that is easy for sales reps to understand. In addition, the platform provides customers with real-time visibility and tracking of shipments, which is in high demand in the logistics industry. OTR also partners with other technology platforms.

“We have built an incredible matching engine to match customer’s freight with the right carriers. We are able to meet our customers’ demands and excel through the platform we have built,” says Braun.

Another competitive differentiator for OTR is its “hire to retire” model, which is focused on recruiting people who are passionate about the job. By fostering a family-like culture, where employees are treated well and fairly compensated, OTR has achieved high staff retention, which appeals to customers because they deal with people they know and trust. The long-term employees understand individual customer needs and know how to meet them.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics industry is trying to adjust to a new normal. This means many initiatives are available to cut costs while still maintaining a high level of service. With an experienced team that understands the industry and strives to provide exceptional service to customers and carriers, OTR is in an ideal position to leverage these opportunities and strengthen relationships in the post-pandemic world.