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Driving Sustainable Logistics as a Green Supply Chain Partner

In today's global landscape, environmental responsibility has become more critical than ever, especially within the supply chain and logistics sectors. We are proud to share that Landstar System, Inc. has once again been recognized for its commitment to meaningful sustainability, earning a spot on the Inbound Logistics 75 Green Supply Chain Partners list for 2025. This marks the third consecutive year Landstar has been acknowledged for its dedication to green initiatives, a testament to its ongoing efforts to "walk the walk" in environmental stewardship.

Landstar's Commitment to Green Supply Chains

Landstar's continued recognition stems from a comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility, integrating sustainable practices across its vast network. Key efforts contributing to its selection in 2025 include:

Aerodynamic Devices

By 2024, an impressive 99.97% of Landstar's van trailers were equipped with advanced aerodynamic devices. Each of these features is listed on the SmartWay Verified List of Aerodynamic Devices, confirming EPA-verified fuel savings of 5% or more when utilized in conjunction with low-rolling resistance tires.

Low-Rolling Resistance (LRR) Tires

Since 2024, Landstar has ensured that 100% of its new trailer purchases are equipped with low-rolling resistance (LRR) tires. Beyond new acquisitions, Landstar maintains a strong commitment to replacing existing tires with LRR tires, prioritizing availability at replacement locations to continuously enhance fuel efficiency across its fleet.

Advanced Remote Tracking Devices

In a significant move towards sustainability, Landstar has upgraded thousands of single-use battery-powered trailer tracking units to more environmentally friendly rechargeable battery-powered and/or solar-powered units. By the close of 2024, this initiative resulted in over 99% (specifically 13,349) of its van trailers being equipped with these advanced, energy-efficient tracking devices.

Fuel Efficiency & Savings Programs

Landstar actively encourages the adoption of technologies and practices that enhance fuel efficiency throughout its independent owner-operator network. Programs like the LandstarOne® mobile app, with its integrated Load Alerts® and Landstar Maximizer® technologies, help minimize empty miles and reduce idling time. Furthermore, the Landstar Contractors' Advantage Purchasing Program (LCAPP) provides valuable discounts on products specifically designed to boost fuel efficiency, such as low-rolling resistance tires and auxiliary power units.

Why Green Logistics Matters (And How Landstar Leads)

In today's environmentally conscious market, partnering with carriers committed to sustainability is not just good for the planet; it's smart business. Companies are increasingly scrutinized for their environmental footprint, and aligning with green supply chain partners can enhance brand reputation, reduce operational costs through efficiency, and meet growing customer and regulatory demands.

Landstar's consistent recognition by publications like Inbound Logistics underscores its leadership in this vital area. As Landstar President and CEO Frank Lonegro noted in the company's 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, this commitment is a collective effort: "We are grateful that Landstar employees and individuals within our network of independent entrepreneurs are so generous in their commitment to making a positive impact – through safety, environmental stewardship, and community involvement."

This dedication ensures that when you choose the Landstar network for your logistics needs, you're partnering with a system that prioritizes environmental responsibility without compromising on efficiency or reliability.

Partner for Sustainable Logistics – Connect with our Agency!

The Power of Specialized Niche Markets in Trucking

For independent owner-operators and businesses looking to optimize their logistics, carving out a specialized niche within the transportation industry can be a game-changing strategy. Focusing on specific types of freight not only sets operations apart from the competition but can also lead to more consistent and profitable loads.

Recognizing Your Profitable Niche

Identifying a niche begins with analyzing existing experience and comfort levels with various types of loads. Landstar BCOs (Landstar’s term for independent owner-operators leased to Landstar), Jeff Thompson and Mike Keinz, offer a prime example. They successfully specialized in transporting "high and light" loads, such as oversized but lightweight air conditioning ductwork and aerospace parts. By designing and utilizing special trailers for these unique loads, they were able to reduce costs and significantly improve delivery times for their customers.

As Thompson explains, “Most platform trailers are built to accommodate high and heavy loads. They have an unloaded deck height of 18 to 22 inches with an arch built in that keeps the trailer from bowing too low when a heavy load is placed on it.”

Keinz adds, “Having an extra 3 inches of height on a load because of a trailer arch can add costs for a customer. Inches equal miles – loads that are under 15 feet can often reduce the total miles driven because taller loads may require longer routes to avoid height obstacles like signs, utility lines or low-hanging tree branches.” Thompson notes that a shorter route also means faster delivery and fewer potential issues, often eliminating the need for costly pilot cars, bucket trucks, or police escorts.

When considering your own niche, ask yourself:

• Your Experience: What types of loads have been handled successfully in the past?
• Market Demand: Is there a consistent need for this type of freight?
• Unique Challenges: Can your operation address specific logistical challenges better than others?

Building Customer Relationships and Networks

Sustained success in specialized markets hinges on robust customer relationships and an extensive network:

• Provide Exceptional Service: Consistent, high-quality service is key to securing repeat business and referrals.
• Communicate Effectively: Keep customers informed throughout the shipment process to build trust and reliability.
• Join Industry Groups: Participation in relevant industry associations can expand networks and provide valuable market insights.
• Leverage Online Platforms: Utilize social media and specialized platforms to connect with freight agents and customers in your target industry. Landstar owner-operators, for instance, benefit from Landstar’s dedicated load board and freight matching tools, which help them efficiently find loads that align with their equipment and business objectives.

Staying Updated on Trends and Regulations

In the dynamic transportation industry, staying informed is non-negotiable:

• Stay Current: Engage with state and federal trucking industry associations to remain updated on regulatory changes and shifts in the market, ensuring full compliance.
• Subscribe to Industry Publications: Follow news and developments specifically within your chosen niche.

Leveraging Support from Landstar

For independent owner-operators, joining the Landstar network offers unparalleled resources and support for navigating specialized markets. Landstar provides access to a vast network of freight agents and advanced tools designed to help find loads that perfectly fit a specific niche.

This extensive infrastructure and expertise allow owner-operators to focus on their core strengths – safely and efficiently moving freight – while benefiting from Landstar's robust support system.

By strategically focusing on a niche that aligns with unique skills and by leveraging comprehensive resources like those offered by Landstar, owner-operators and businesses can significantly enhance profitability and build lasting success in the competitive transportation industry.

Discover Specialized Freight Solutions – Contact a Landstar Agent Today!

Why "Nearshoring" is Becoming a Supply Chain Game Changer (and How Landstar Leads the Way)

The world of manufacturing and logistics has seen some dramatic shifts recently. If the past few years taught businesses anything, it's that relying on far-flung supply chains can be a risky business. That's why a strategic approach called nearshoring is rapidly gaining traction, reshaping how goods move across North America.

But what exactly is nearshoring, and why is everyone talking about it? More importantly, how can it benefit your business, and how does Landstar fit into this evolving landscape? Let's dive in.

Understanding the "Shore" Thing: Nearshoring vs. Offshoring vs. Reshoring

You've probably heard terms like "offshoring" or "reshoring." Let's clear up the differences:

• Offshoring: This is the traditional model where manufacturing moves to a distant country, often to reduce labor costs. Think of products made thousands of miles away, then shipped across oceans. While cost-effective, the pandemic exposed its vulnerabilities—long transit times, port congestion, and a lack of control when disruptions hit.
• Reshoring: This means bringing manufacturing completely back to the home country. While it offers maximum control, it often comes with significantly higher production costs.
• Nearshoring: This is the sweet spot. It involves moving production to a nearby country, like Mexico for U.S. and Canadian businesses. You still benefit from potentially lower production costs, but you drastically reduce transit times, gain more oversight, and build a more resilient supply chain. It's like having manufacturing as your neighbor, close enough to visit but still offering distinct advantages.

The Pandemic's Hard Lessons and the Rise of Nearshoring

Remember the empty shelves and frustrating delays during the pandemic? Many businesses learned the hard way that when inventory is thousands of miles away and disruptions strike, meeting customer demand becomes nearly impossible. Major companies almost went under because they couldn't get their goods.

This harsh reality accelerated the nearshoring trend. Businesses realized the critical need for:

• Supply Chain Resilience: Being less vulnerable to global shocks.
• Reduced Transportation Times & Costs: Shorter distances, often by truck instead of cargo ships, mean faster delivery and lower freight expenses.
• Greater Oversight: Easier to manage and control production when it's closer to home.

According to Eric Meyer, Landstar Transportation Logistics Executive Vice President of Operations, "The nearshoring trend is a positive for the Landstar network centered on doing business between the U.S. and Mexico."

Landstar's Advantage in the Nearshoring Boom

This is where Landstar shines. Landstar was ahead of the curve, building robust capabilities for U.S.-Mexico cross-border services for over two decades.

Consider Landstar's state-of-the-art transloading facility in Laredo, Texas. Why Laredo? Because it's a powerhouse for U.S.-Mexico trade, handling more trade valuation than all other land ports from Brownsville, Texas, to Arizona combined!

This facility isn't just a warehouse; it's a strategic asset for your nearshoring needs:

• Massive Capacity: A 31,000-square-foot facility on a 50-acre site, accommodating 1,000 trailers, with room for future expansion.
• Efficient Cross-Docking: A 30-bay, 20,000+ square-foot cross-dock designed to streamline both Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and transload services, ensuring goods move efficiently.
• Unique Heavy Haul Capabilities: A one-of-a-kind 120-ton stand-alone bridge crane in Laredo, capable of transloading even the most oversized and specialized freight. This is crucial for industries moving heavy machinery or large components.
• Security & Compliance: C-TPAT compliant with advanced surveillance and security systems, giving you peace of mind.
• Seamless Visibility: Real-time tracking and alerts keep you informed from border crossing to final delivery.
• Customs Expertise: Landstar's team expertly navigates complex international rules, regulations, and paperwork, minimizing delays at customs.

As Steve Wisnieski, Landstar Vice President of Mexico Operations, puts it, "Landstar already has in place the infrastructure, expertise and personnel to move freight from the U.S. to Mexico and Mexico to the U.S. quickly and efficiently."

Navigating the Cross-Border Landscape with Confidence

While nearshoring offers immense benefits, success across the border requires specialized knowledge. Factors like navigating regulations (e.g., Mexican carriers transporting goods into Mexico), handling specialized loads, and managing extensive international paperwork can be daunting.

This is precisely where the role of a Landstar independent agent becomes invaluable. A Landstar agent serves as a single point of contact, leveraging Landstar's vast network and deep expertise to develop personalized transportation solutions. They handle the complexities, so businesses can focus on growing, not on cross-border logistics headaches.

The Future is Near: Is Your Supply Chain Ready?

The momentum behind nearshoring is undeniable. Experts, including The New York Times, predict Laredo could become "the Port of Long Beach of the future," signifying a massive increase in freight movement. Both the U.S. and Mexican governments are even investing in new infrastructure, including plans for another bridge from Laredo to Mexico, to facilitate this growth.

This means more opportunities for businesses like yours to build resilient, cost-effective, and efficient supply chains. If you're considering nearshoring or want to optimize your existing cross-border operations, now's the time.

Contact Our Agency Today