Fast-Tracking Freshness: Meet Scout Logistics

As part of their mission to empower their people to build meaningful relationships and deliver extraordinary results for shippers, TA Services is proud to welcome Scout Logistics, worldwide specialists in over-the-road transportation of perishable and fragile freight, to the TA Services family. Based in Toronto, Canada, Scout Logistics brings more than 20 years of carrier and logistics experience to the TA team, adding versatility and additional capability in temperature sensitive freight to its already vast logistics network. TA Services announced the finalized acquisition of Scout Logistics in August 2021.

As a lifelong accomplished entrepreneur, Lorne Swartz, founder of Scout Logistics, started Scout in 2011 when he was bored with ‘retirement’. After a brief break from the workforce, Swartz was compelled by the logistics space and carved out his own niche in the industry. “I honestly got kind of bored [in retirement], so I thought ‘What if I start a business with a product that is always in demand, 24/7, even on Christmas and New Year’s?’ said Swartz. That led me to cold-chain logistics operations, and I haven’t looked back since!”

Swartz built a non-traditional approach to Scout that made the business a perfect fit for TA Services. Both Scout and TA share mutual values of productivity and inspiration in the workplace. Like TA, caring is at the very core of what Scout Logistics was created for. Over the years, the Scout Logistics team has contributed in various ways to many worthwhile causes. Some of their more notable contributions include raising over $25,000 toward Alzheimer’s disease research at Toronto’s Baycrest Health Sciences Centre, hosting catered dinners at their local hospital for veterans, and even decorating the exterior of their office with over 10,000 remembrance flowers to honor those fallen veterans on Remembrance Day.

Cool Cargo, Cool Company

In the same way that fruits must be kept at a crisp 34 degrees, managing a fleet of refrigerated trucks requires a cool team. From the open-style office structure to the experienced staff of cold-chain logistics experts, Scout Logistics has keeping it cool handled! TA Services and Scout Logistics are committed to providing shippers with the service and visibility their business requires for success today, tomorrow, and beyond.

According to Hannah Abrams, Chief Administrative Officer at Scout, their office is far from the norm. “We have all kinds of artwork lining our walls here, from 18th century style art to more modern pieces. I love the casual atmosphere that we have, promoting hard work while also having a little fun!” In keeping with non-traditional design concept, Scout’s office uses an open floor plan design, hosting only a single board room for planning and strategy.

Scout doesn’t just have a cool freight brokerage office; they also employ cool people! Abrams, originally a United Kingdom national, has found herself at home in the world of logistics. “I was able to learn so much through working with the amazing people here at Scout! The flat organizational structure and informal nature is truly inviting. It’s a phenomenal place to work and I couldn’t be happier to be working alongside such a great team.” Scout Logistics is home to many talented and diverse workers, from poets to artists, designers, and craftsmen, all of whom share a common passion for making a difference in the supply chain industry.

A Match Made in Logistics

As worldwide cold-chain logistics specialists in over-the-road transportation of perishable freight, Scout Logistics brings decades of experience, extensive knowledge of cross-border logistics and a solid understanding of perishable market trends to North America. “Over the years, our team has seen how unexpected consumer demand for perishable goods can greatly impact transportation,” said Swartz. “But let’s face it, no matter the circumstances, people always need to eat! So, we need the flexibility to fill these unforeseen gaps to keep food on the table for families in all regions of North America.”

Scout moves perishable freight all over North America, hauling an estimated $120 million worth of fruit, vegetables, and other perishable goods long distances from the east coast to the west coast. To support these impressive numbers, the Scout team leverages modern GPS tracking, driver notification systems, and around the clock customer and service provider support to help them shift at a moment’s notice for shippers.

As a leading expert in perishable freight, now integrated with the TA Services logistics family, the combined force will expand refrigerated services to include prepackaged frozen meals, ice cream, and even pharmaceuticals.

“I think the thing that excites us the most about our partnership with TA, outside of their extensive network and knowledge of shipping lanes, is our combined ability to expand into new market areas,” said Swartz. “Particularly with COVID and increased vaccine shipments, the medical and pharmaceutical arena is one that we really cannot afford to ignore.”

Feeding with Freight

Despite the unique challenges associated with supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, or cross-border complications, Lorne Swartz said it best: “People always need to eat.” In a combined effort, Scout Logistics and TA Services together are devoted to putting fresh food on the tables of families in North America, no matter the circumstances. The newly expanded cold chain logistics services of combined Scout Logistics and TA Services gives shippers peace of mind that their perishable items will always arrive to their destination on time. From Canada to Mexico and everywhere in between, TA has you and your temperature-sensitive products covered.

Knowing when and how to choose a third-party logistics (3PL) partner can be challenging. The right 3PL provider is in it for the long haul and puts their customers’ needs above all else. TA Services is a trusted name in the logistics industry with more than 35 years of operational excellence. With services ranging from Freight Brokerage, Managed Transportation, Warehousing & Fulfillment, and Cross-Border Logistics, TA a one-stop-shop for any business’s supply chain needs; temperature-controlled or otherwise.

Want to find out more about how TA Services can help improve your cold-chain operations? Please reach out to our cold-chain team today.