100 years old, TLC evolves into industry leader

Total Logistic Control (TLC) is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and beginning a second century of service to the logistics industry.

TLC began as a produce company in Kalamazoo MI, evolving into a multi-temperature warehouse and transportation company, then into a third-party logistics provider (3PL) and now a 3PL with an extensive dedicated facility portfolio. TLC has both expanded and refined its service offering through internal growth, together with acquisitions and mergers.

A series of disasters in the early 1980s — fire, flood, and the unexpected death of the chief executive officer — marked a turning point for the company. Rather than rebuild within the same framework, management viewed the catastrophes as an opportunity to re-engineer the company based on a new concept called “Total Logistic Control.” That decision helped boost the company onto the national logistics scene, where it has achieved recognition including Top Ten Provider of Logistics Excellence by Inbound Logistics for the past four consecutive years.

Most recently, TLC won a contract from Guinness UDV North America to bottle Smirnoff Ice at a TLC-managed brewery in Allentown PA. The company also purchased the TSI transportation company in Erie PA. TLC now owns or operates 20 logistics facilities, including two dedicated manufacturing/distribution facilities, and a fleet of 350 tractors and 560 dry and refrigerated trailers. The company employs 1,400 associates.