Posts Tagged “Allen Lund Company”
The recent California wildfires have left a haunting mark on our communities and hearts. At the Allen Lund Company, headquartered in La Cañada Flintridge, our employees experienced this devastation firsthand. Between the Palisades and Eaton fires, many of our team members (and family and friends) faced mandatory evacuations as the fires blazed through the surrounding cities, threatening homes, beloved restaurants, and landmarks that have long been central to our lives. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash, and the impact is felt in every corner of our community. Families are displaced, cherished memories lost, and the collective sense of security is shaken.
Yet, amid the destruction, we’ve witnessed incredible resilience and humanity. Neighbors helping neighbors, first responders risking everything to save lives, and countless acts of kindness remind us of the strength within our community. The transportation and logistics industry plays a critical role in ensuring resources like food, water, and building materials reach those in need. Together, we are not just moving freight but helping rebuild lives.
As we look to the future, we focus on coming together to heal and rebuild. The fires may have destroyed physical structures, but they cannot extinguish the spirit of our community. At the Allen Lund Company, we are committed to supporting our neighbors, customers, and team members as we navigate this recovery together. Whether through donations or simply showing up for one another, we know that unity is the foundation for rebuilding stronger than ever.
On Saturday, December 14th, the Allen Lund Company coordinated logistics for the delivery of donated food and joined volunteers to assemble and distribute grocery bags.
“20 years is a big commitment, and that’s how long the Allen Lund Company has supported Navidad en el Barrio. It started with a few trucks moving donations. Now, we coordinate almost all the donated food, plus provide the logistics to the warehouse. We even organize volunteers at several locations on Saturday, December 14th, to assemble and hand out the grocery bags to thousands of the most in-need families in Southern California thanks to the generous donations of many individuals and companies,” said Nora Trueblood, Director of Marketing and Communications at ALC.
“At Allen Lund Company, logistics is what we do best – but our favorite logistics services are those done to help others through our ‘Acts of Kindness’. For 20 years now, we have been working with great organizations, including Catholic Charities, St. Vincent De Paul, Navidad en el Barrio, many customers, and our employees who volunteer to build and distribute tens of thousands of grocery bags full of much-needed food for members of the community. As a member of the Catholic Charities board, I see firsthand how this labor of love impacts the families and strengthens all involved in this wide-ranging endeavor. We look forward to many more years of putting the ‘Happy’ in Happy Holidays,” said Kenny Lund, Executive Vice President of ALC Logistics.
We couldn’t have done it without you. A heartfelt thank you to all our donors:
Cacique | Coca-Cola | Costco | Faribault Foods | The Farmlink Project | Grimmway Farms | Minute Maid | Mission Produce Inc. | Mother’s Nutritional Center | Northgate Market | Penske | PepsiCo | Randall Foods | R.W. Zant | The Salvation Army | Taylor Farms | Wada Farms | WM Ground Beef | Wonderful Citrus
We are grateful for your support and are making a real difference together. Here’s to many more years of spreading holiday cheer!
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| Since 2004, the Allen Lund Company has supported the efforts of Navidad en el Barrio. Established in 1972 by former NFL player Danny Villanueva, local Hispanic radio, and students from UCLA, the organization is dedicated to helping underserved families around the Los Angeles area by providing the makings for a Christmas dinner. |
By Josh Mason ALC Salt Lake City
Shipping perishable goods doesn’t have to mean choosing between high costs and high risk. Refrigerated less-than-truckload (RLTL) shipping offers a versatile middle ground, giving businesses the ability to transport smaller shipments without sacrificing the temperature controls needed for quality and compliance. For industries that rely on cold chain logistics, RLTL represents a smarter way to ship, saving money while ensuring products reach their destinations in perfect condition.
Of course, shipping perishable goods isn’t without its hurdles. Maintaining consistent temperatures, navigating mixed freight loads, and avoiding transit delays are just a few of the challenges businesses face with RLTL. But with the right systems in place—like temperature monitoring, carefully vetted carrier networks, and proactive communication—these obstacles can be overcome. RLTL shipments can move seamlessly, ensuring product integrity and on-time delivery, no matter the complexity of the route.
The true advantage of RLTL lies in combining its efficiency with the expertise of a 3PL. By leveraging relationships with a diverse network of carriers, 3PLs can provide tailored solutions for even the most complex shipments. They can aggregate volumes across customers to negotiate competitive rates and bring a wealth of experience to troubleshoot potential issues. With a 3PL in your corner, RLTL becomes more than just a shipping option—it’s a strategic advantage.
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Josh Mason began his logistics career in 2019 and has focused on LTL freight and solutions. He joined the Allen Lund Company in the summer of 2024 when they opened their ALC Salt Lake City office in Ogden, UT.
josh.mason@allenlund.com
As the nation adjusts to the results of the 2024 election, agricultural leaders and third-party logistics (3PL) providers are positioned to play pivotal roles in addressing challenges and opportunities within the produce supply chain. Decisions made in the coming months will directly influence how agricultural products move efficiently from farms to consumers.
With President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team preparing key appointments in the Department of Agriculture (USDA), early decisions on leadership will set the tone for the administration’s approach to pressing agricultural issues. For 3PL providers, leadership developments highlight the importance of collaboration with ag leaders to ensure reliable and efficient transportation solutions based on evolving policies. These appointments will likely shape trade policies, domestic farm support, and regulatory practices, potentially mirroring the significant shifts seen during Trump’s previous term, focusing on strengthening U.S. agricultural competitiveness globally.
The trucking industry’s strong endorsement of Sean Duffy’s nomination as Secretary of Transportation highlights the potential for alignment between industry needs and DOT goals. American Trucking Association’s President Chris Spear commended Duffy’s understanding of transportation issues, emphasizing his support for “pro-trucking policies to strengthen the supply chain.” This alignment could accelerate critical projects, such as reducing bottlenecks in transportation corridors, modernizing storage facilities, and improving logistics networks in rural areas. Ag leaders, working closely with the DOT, can advocate for targeted investments that address the unique demands of agriculture. One area of focus, infrastructure improvements, presents a significant opportunity to enhance the agricultural supply chain. Combined with Trump’s focus on efficiency and safety, these developments could revolutionize the movement of agricultural products, bolstering the role of 3PLs in seamlessly connecting producers to markets both domestically and internationally.
(Since this article was written the U.S. dockworkers and the U.S. Maritime Alliance have extended their existing contract through January 15. This will provide time to negotiate a new contract.)
Allen Lund Company
The East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers’ strike, which began on October 1, 2024, has disrupted port operations across major hubs from New York to Texas. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) initiated the strike after failing to secure a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX). The strike currently involves 45,000 union members and affects 36 ports. With dockworkers walking off the job, billions of dollars in goods—ranging from consumer items to critical industrial components—remain stranded at ports. The strike could significantly impact supply chains, especially for perishable goods, with estimates suggesting economic losses of up to $5 billion per day as the stoppage continues.
According to NPR, the primary issues of the strike include wage increases and concerns over automation. The union is demanding a $5 hourly wage increase each year for the next six years, which would significantly raise workers’ pay. Additionally, the ILA insists on strict language to prevent the introduction of full or semi-automation at ports, fearing job losses in the long term. Negotiations between the two sides have stalled, with no face-to-face meetings since June.
In response to the strike, we at Allen Lund Company are closely monitoring the situation. Our team is taking proactive steps to mitigate potential disruptions to our customers’ supply chains. We are actively communicating with our network of carriers and exploring alternative routes and logistical solutions to ensure minimal delays. In the meantime, we recommend that our shippers consider rerouting to West Coast ports for more efficient handling. The ongoing strike underscores the importance of adaptability in logistics, and we remain committed to finding timely and effective solutions for our customers during this critical period.
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Visit us at the
IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, GA
October 17-19, 2024
BOOTH C1921
The Allen Lund Company was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Southern California by the Best Companies Group.
The selection process for applicants relied significantly on detailed employee surveys. Key factors such as corporate culture, training and development opportunities, salary and benefits, and overall employee satisfaction were crucial in identifying the top workplaces in Southern California.
Senior Director of Human Resources Matt Barnes stated, “We are excited to be recognized once again as one of the best places to work in Southern California. Our culture, growth opportunities, benefits, and especially our people, are all top flight. It is a well-earned acknowledgement that we will be proud to advertise.”
About Allen Lund Company:
Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with offices across North America and over 700 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers nationwide to arrange dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight. ALC manages over 550,000 loads a year and was designated by Transport Topics in 2024 as the 17th Top Freight Brokerage Firm. The Allen Lund Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, ranked 48th in the Transport Topics 2024 list of Top 100 Logistics Companies and an International Division licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC #019872NF. Please click here if you want to join the Allen Lund Company team.
By Nick Mihalopoulos Controller ALC Finance
It was 1984, and Tina Turner had just released her smash hit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” At this time, the U.S. was also exiting a period now known as The Great Inflation. During this period from the mid-60s to the early 80s, inflation peaked at more than 14% in 1980. The Vietnam War, increased government spending on social programs, and energy shortages all contributed to the Great Inflation. Now, fast forward 40 years to 2024, and we are exiting another period of high inflation, which peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 and is now down to 2.9% as of July 2024.
Equity markets are celebrating inflation being back down below 3%, but consumers still haven’t been able to find relief. This is in large part due to the fact that prices of essential items, such as those found in grocery stores, have increased by 20% over the last four years. So, what’s transportation got to do with this 20% increase? According to the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, truckload transportation rates have increased by 5.9% over the last four years and have decreased by 23% from their peak in May 2022. Since transportation doesn’t queue up Tina Turner’s hit song, we’ll need to look at other costs. For example, the average grocery store hourly wages over the last four years have increased by 26.5% from $16.98/hr to $21.48/hr. This outpaces the 19.4% wage increase of all employees during this time period.
Given this data, the current prices of grocery store items and other goods are here to stay. The positive in this data is that wage growth has kept up with these price increases, but like in any economy, workers in some sectors have seen higher increases than others. Inflation and grocery store prices have become major headlines as we near the November election. Both parties are making their case to the American people as to how their platform will better benefit the economy and stave off future inflationary periods. And if 1984 happens to be on the minds of party leaders, let’s hope they’re listening to Tina Turner and not reading George Orwell.
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Nick Mihalopoulos began his career with the Allen Lund Company in 2011 after previously working at PepsiCo. Mihalopoulos is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned a dual degree in Finance and Accountancy.
nick.mihalopoulos@allenlund.com
By Kenneth Cavallaro ALC Boston
Some of my earliest memories involve fresh produce – watching cardboard crates of plump tomatoes and glistening peppers being unloaded at the docks of my family’s wholesale produce warehouse, sampling sweet berries, and vigilantly checking for damaged products beside my grandfather, father, and uncle. As the third generation of a produce family, fresh produce was a major part of my childhood.
At the time, I simply enjoyed the deliciousness of fresh fruits and vegetables and thought little of where they were grown or how they reached my kitchen table. As an adult, I now find myself fascinated by the process. How long does it take to pick a crop and get it from the farm to a customer’s table? What practices utilized during transport best preserve product quality? A great majority of our country’s produce comes from California and Mexico, with their ideal growing climates and lengthy growing seasons. In 2022 alone, 590,906 truckloads of imported produce were shipped from Mexico to the U.S. in 40,000-pound loads. How can so much perishable freight remain fresh when traveling across the country?
Danny Mandel, founder and former CEO of SunFed in Nogales, Arizona, has over 30 years of experience in the produce industry and was able to answer these questions. Mandel reports that it takes one day to pick, pack, and load a fresh crop and another two to five days to reach its final destination. What keeps fragile produce so fresh after this transport time? It requires growers to harvest produce at the optimal time and package it in sturdy containers that allow air to circulate while preventing bruising. Refrigerated van drivers and transport companies further extend product longevity with stringent adherence to temperature requirements – which vary by fruit and vegetable variety. Following temperature requirements on bill of lading instructions and carefully monitoring temperature gauges extend freshness and prevent the formation of mold. Furthermore, practices such as loading and unloading quickly help keep any adverse outside weather conditions or drastically different temperatures from damaging the product.
According to the USDA, Postmaster General Albert Burleson launched the Farm to Table program in 1914. The program consisted of picking up produce and other farm fresh items and delivering the goods as quickly as possible to retailers, ultimately reaching America’s kitchen tables with healthy products still as fresh as possible. Previously, unconsumed produce was destined for the compost heap. Now, growers could sell farm goods for financial gain to more consumers. The advent of temperature-controlled freight further made it possible to deliver products in a timely manner.
With the high demand for fresh produce, consumers can expect the industry to continue to advance in delivering produce as quickly as possible. Greenhouses could allow produce to be grown in colder states to lessen the stress of relying on warmer areas to support our heavy produce consumption and further decrease the transport time from farm to table. There will always be a need to transport the product, but more growing areas across the country would mean increased product freshness by reducing transport time.
Getting produce from the farm to your table as quickly as possible makes for a healthy and enjoyable meal. After 110 years, Postmaster Burleson’s Farm to Table idea continues to make great strides and improve consumer culinary options. The next time you stop by your local grocery store for salad fixings, keep in mind the growers who cultivated a beautiful crop, the dedicated drivers who quickly and safely transported thousands of pounds of product, and even the transportation broker who monitored the delivery of your load.
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Kenneth Cavallaro, Jr. is a carrier manager in the Boston office. He began his career at the Allen Lund Company in February of 2019. Kenneth has been in the transportation industry since May of 1999. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Salem State University.
kenneth.cavallaro@allenlund.com
By Kat Ball and Jim Brister ALC Vancouver, BC
Well, it’s alright, we’re going to the end of the line. As The Travelling Wilburys appreciate, trains are an important and instrumental part of our nation’s history. America’s first intercity railroad, the 13-mile Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed in early 1830. Canada’s first railway line opened in 1836 with the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad, which connected two sides of the river outside Montreal. Nearly 200 years later, there are seven major railroads operating in the United States and two in Canada. These networks join North America with unlimited access to every major port, city, state, and province. And while the end of the lines exists within this network, there is no end in sight for the utilization of this mode in logistics. Intermodal shipping continues to be a popular choice for many shippers to move their goods to market across North America.
There are many features and benefits of intermodal (rail plus truck) shipping that make it an attractive option for logistics:
- Nationwide rail infrastructure— Shippers can speed their goods to market with door-to-door service, which includes impressive weekly rail schedules to multiple destinations.
- Non-stop rail service— Public rail stops multiple times to add or remove containers, which often subjects fragile and perishable items to prolonged weather extremes, shifting, and damage. For the rail portion of dedicated commercial intermodal, the networks operate non-stop, coast to coast, which means more product moving and fewer delays.
- Increase overall capacity— Intermodal allows for additional capacity compared to truckload shipping. It provides access to a large pool of refrigerated and dry van containers with different specifications available (53′, 48′, 40′ containers, high cubes). In addition, intermodal also has a large network of drayage options from all major terminals in Canada and the U.S.
- Product protection— 24/7 monitoring via GPS, remote temperature adjustments, and standardized container sealing for unparalleled security, a top concern for many stakeholders facing increased theft, fraud, and scam incidents in the trucking market.
- Cost savings— Intermodal is more cost-effective than over-the-road trucking and allows for savings on freight costs compared to using trucks alone. By providing competitive and consistent pricing, budget fluctuations can be minimized.
- Time savings— One point of contact door-to-door; using a broker who manages intermodal and will handle all customs clearance, rail billing, and third-party communications on behalf of the shipper.
- Environmental, social, and governance focus—Intermodal shipping has less impact on the environment than over-the-road trucking. Its carbon footprint is a fraction of that of long-haul trucks, and it has a different set of regulatory mandates than trucks. Stringent and regulated security measures safeguard goods throughout the supply chain.
Looking down the line to Q4, most reports predict intermodal volume to grow into Q4. Key indicators to watch are domestic container volume, which is largely influenced by shippers’ inventories, consumer spending, and retail sales. Retail sales are growing, albeit slowly. This, coupled with lower retail inventories, bodes well for volume growth in intermodal. In addition, many experts are looking at the truck market’s indication of a freight rate increase. Trucking freight indexes fell 1.8% month-over-month mid-year, looking like rates have hit the bottom. As rates move up, rail will become a more favorable option for the end of 2024. So, All Aboard, it looks like it will be an exciting end to 2024!
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Kat Ball is the general manager of the ALC Vancouver, BC office. She received her undergraduate degree in English from Simon Fraser University, followed by a post-graduate diploma in Marketing and Sales Management from the University of British Columbia. Kat began working for ALC Vancouver, BC (formerly United World Transportation) in 2006, gaining experience in various roles. In April 2023, the Allen Lund Company acquired United World Transportation and Kat aided in the transition as assistant general manager. The following April, she was promoted to general manager.
kat.ball@allenlund.com
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Jim Brister is the business development manager of the ALC Vancouver, BC office. As a Commerce Business graduate out of the University of British Columbia, he has worked across the building materials and construction industries living in both Canada and the U.S. before starting United World Transportation in 2003. Now as part of the Allen Lund Company Jim continues to enjoy the challenges and pace of the transportation world.
jim.brister@allenlund.com
By Jake Diana ALC San Francisco
The vast majority of individuals, both here in the U.S. and worldwide, have come to expect the seemingly guaranteed step-by-step updates that large distributors provide with each and every order submitted. So much so that it often feels like the end of the world when we don’t have that fresh “out for delivery” update on the day of projected receipt. In a world where everyone prefers to be as up-to-date as possible, it makes perfect sense that logistics and trucking companies would be required to provide tracking, right?
One of the biggest hot button topics in freight today is the exponential growth of thefts and scams. Given the integration and volume of texting and email into all walks of life, the evolution of 3PL carrier relationships is in a natural progression. While a general understanding of so-called “instant” communication would lead one to believe this makes the jobs of 3PL employees easier, the reality is that we are often faced with the scary question of “Where is my truck, and who is actually operating it?”
These days, tracking is no longer the eye-catching benefit it once was. Instead, it is now the standard, a bare minimum expectation when it comes to the growth of a 3PL customer relationship. The ability to go above and beyond tracking mandates is just as important as competitive rates or long-standing relationships. Prior to the last two to three years, carriers viewed tracking as bothersome, a form of micromanagement that signaled distrust. In just a short time, carriers are now not only familiar with tracking, but expect it. In a field full of uncertainties, what was once a selling point has rapidly developed into a pillar of the industry.
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Jake Diana graduated from the University of Oregon in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Social Sciences. He joined the ALC San Francisco office in August 2022 as a broker’s assistant before being promoted to carrier sales representative and, most recently, carrier sales manager. Jake is a high-energy individual with a passion for competition, teamwork, and tech.
jake.diana@allenlund.com