CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN NORTH AMERICA
digitize, to scale the business, and to be competitive,” Cox says. Polaris Transport Carriers offers LTL services, while Polaris Global Logistics, a third-party logistics provider, handles just about any freight that isn’t LTL. As its name suggests, Polaris Commercial Warehousing provides Canadian distribution for warehousing and ful llment clients. Some U.S. clients prefer not to invest in their own physical facilities in Canada. Polaris can transport their cargo, hold it at its warehousing ful llment facility, and then distribute the products across Canada. Demand for this service has ramped up since the pandemic, Cox notes. For example, Polaris worked with a manufacturer of high-end home appliances that’s based in the U.S. Midwest. They had been using another logistics provider to serve their Canadian clients, but experienced challenges with product damage. For more than two years, Polaris has been transporting the company’s products into its warehousing distribution facility and then across Canada. They arrive at their destinations free from damages and exceptions. “The company doesn’t want a bricks- and-mortar facility in Canada, but their customers are paying a lot of money for the products. The delivery process needs to be as seamless as if the company was right next door to each customer,” Cox says. Polaris can deliver that quality experience. SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES GAIN MOMENTUM Cox and his team are currently working to expand Polaris’ direct carrier service from northeastern United States into Quebec. This will cut the distance some shipments travel, saving customers time and money. And because these shipments will travel fewer miles, it’s also a more sustainable option. Over the past year and a half, Polaris has focused heavily on sustainability. “I knew nothing about sustainability, but I am smart enough to know when I don’t know anything,” Cox says.
Hub Group expanded its intermodal and cross-border service o erings in Mexico through its joint venture with EASO, a trucking logistics provider and Mexico’s largest intermodal carrier.
As a result, the customer saved on warehousing and eliminated the risk of product damages occurring due to storage in a heavily traf cked warehouse, Garza says. The solution also cut transit times while improving customer satisfaction. BUILDING ON SAFETY AS A FOUNDATION In addition to improving its customers’ operations, Landstar prioritizes safety as the foundation for the high- quality service it is known for. This is supported through network-wide initiatives including strict owner-operator quali cation requirements, partnering with customers through the Mutual Understanding of Safety Together (M.U.S.T.) program, and monthly Safety Thursday calls. The company also has several safety efforts in place for its cross-border services. As a CTPAT-certi ed provider, Landstar has an established partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is committed to operating in compliance with the agency’s security requirements. In addition, tracking technology provides visibility into the location of customers’ shipments as they travel in the United States and Mexico, adding an extra layer of security and peace of mind. Landstar’s unique business model combines the expertise and personalized service of local independent agents, with
the capacity and resources of a vast North American network, Garza says. “We have the specialized knowledge, capacity, and equipment necessary to meet any requirement,” he adds.
A SINGULAR FOCUS ON CROSS-BORDER
Polaris Transportation Group, an award- winning carrier, is one of Canada’s largest privately held asset-based carriers. Its niche is cross-border, less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, with daily departures between Canada and the United States. “We compete against a lot of carriers out there, and some offer cross-border Canadian services as another tool in the toolbox,” CEO Cox says. “This is my toolbox.” Since 1994, Polaris has been the choice for Fortune 500 companies, logistics providers, global freight forwarders, and small and large businesses looking for expert cross-border services and expertise. In addition to the experience it has gained handling cross-border shipments and complying with regulations, Polaris offers industry-leading technology and is committed to environmental sustainability, community engagement, and continual growth. Polaris Transportation Group comprises four operating divisions. NorthStar Digital Solutions is Polaris’ in-house digital factor. “We’ve invested heavily in people and technology to
36 Inbound Logistics • April 2025
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