HOW WOMEN-OWNED TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES ARE REDEFINING THE INDUSTRY
The transportation and logistics industry has been growing at an exponential rate. In the past, this industry had traditionally been dominated by men. However, women-owned transportation businesses are now becoming more prominent and competing shoulder-to-shoulder with their male-owned counterparts, redefining the industry.
Growth In Women-Owned Transportation Businesses
A report by American Express’ annual State of Women-Owned Businesses states that women-owned businesses are growing 2.5 times faster than the national average. Women-owned businesses continue to fuel the economy and now represent 42% of all businesses — nearly 13 million — employing 9.4 million workers and generating revenue of $1.9 trillion. And this trend of burgeoning women business enterprises (WBEs) is also observed in transportation and logistics.
Recently, ‘Redefining the Road’, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), announced the 2021 “Top Women to Work For in Transportation.” This award was instituted in 2018 to highlight the accomplishments of businesses that focus on the employment of women in the trucking industry. (https://www.womenintrucking.org/press-releases/women-in-trucking-association-names-2021-top-companies-for-women-to-work-for-in-transportation)
According to the magazine’s publisher Brian Everett, the key features that distinguish companies on this list include:
- Corporate cultures that foster gender diversity
- Flexible hours and work requirements
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Career advancement opportunities
- Professional development opportunities
Some Top Names In Women-Owned Transportation Companies
Langham Logistics, Inc. is a global warehousing and freight management organization owned by Cathy Langham. A certified Women-Owned Business (WOB) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE), it has grossed around $700 million in revenues with 6,900 customers using almost 9,000 vendors over the last 33 years. More than 650 families have been impacted by Langham, a business that did things the hard way, by bootstrapping the company from the onset without the help of venture capital. The owners didn’t take salaries until payment was received from satisfied customers and all their employees were paid.
Kenco is one of the largest woman-owned logistics companies in the world and has become a household name. Led by the remarkable Jane Kennedy Greene, Kenco has been instrumental in revolutionizing the market with The Innovation Lab, which seeks out innovative logistics solutions.
Another woman-led enterprise that has been making rapid strides in logistics is Aria Logistics. Aria Logistics has recently partnered with a BiTA (Blockchain in Transport Alliance) in a bid to come up with technological best practices that will benefit the industry at large.
Candor Expedite is one of the nation’s premier woman-owned transportation providers, and Nicole Glenn, Founder-CEO, is passionate about gender inclusivity and women leadership. Nicole founded Candor Expedite in 2017 after more than two decades in the transportation brokerage business, with a vision to build the smartest and most efficient freight expedited business. Focused on the client experience, Candor is renowned for its hotshot ground service, time-sensitive shipments, and white glove delivery services.
It’s clear that all these successful women-owned logistics companies have certain features in common. They are dedicated to attracting and retaining a more gender-diverse workforce while building workplace cultures that encourage high levels of employee engagement. These powerful women leaders are highly focused on civic leadership, strategic direction, customer relationships, and community involvement. While female representation still remains low in logistics and transport management, these trailblazers give us ample cause to celebrate and look forward to more gender equality in the industry.