3PLS KEEP THE BEAT
SEKO Syncopates the Great Elephant Migration The Great Elephant Migration is a fundraising adventure featuring 100 life-size elephant sculptures, each a replica of a real wild elephant. The sculptures are migrating across the United States, with stops in iconic locations along the way, says Fiona Humphrey, co-chief executive o cer, Coexistence Story Inc., and co-founder of The Great Elephant Migration. Transporting a herd of life-size elephants more than 5,000 miles across the United States is a “logistical mountain,” Humphrey says. Each elephant is a unique shape and size and requires a custom approach to security and transport. “We were looking for a 3PL partner who could not only manage the physical scale of the project but also understand the purpose and the care required when handling the sculptures,” Humphrey adds.
The best way to measure how a business relationship works is by assessing how well operations proceed when challenges arise, which always happens in startups. “The way Ethos and Pegasus Logistics worked through issues for improvement was excellent and we are excited about our future partnership,” Grimm says. “We approach every engagement as a long-term alliance— not just a transaction—working side-by-side to align on goals, solve complex challenges, and adapt to evolving needs,” says Tevon Taylor, senior vice president, contract logistics with Pegasus Logistics.
AGRI BEEF AND REDSTONE LOGISTICS ORCHESTRATE A MEATY STRATEGY
Agri Beef, a family-owned and vertically integrated ranch- to-table company, delivers quality beef and pork products to restaurants and retailers across the globe under several brand names, including Snake River Farms, Double R Ranch, and Rancho El Oro. It has been in operation for more than ve decades. To pursue greater transparency around market opportunities and to boost the consistency of its carriers’ performance, Agri Beef partnered with RedStone Logistics, says Robbie Rebholtz, vice president of operations. Currently, Agri Beef works with the RedStone client success management team, which helps coordinate orders for delivery to customers. Agri Beef also uses the RedStone customer service portal and a third-party yard management system that RedStone helped implement. Since implementing
As they travel, the elephants share their story from the Nilgiri Hills in India, where 150 elephants live alongside 250,00 people. The Great Elephant Migration is raising money to support human-wildlife coexistence eorts in the United States and around the globe. Exhibit locations include major cities such as New York and Houston. This requires coordinating the concurrent arrival of multiple 40-foot trailers in tight urban areas, unloading within tight timeframes, and ensuring minimal disruption. SEKO Logistics supports the initiative with end-to-end logistics, including long-haul trucking, regional transportation, warehousing, and on-the-ground assistance at each location. When SEKO’s own facilities haven’t been available, the 3PL has used its network to help source the right solutions. This project requires a custom-tailored logistical solution for each step, says Jason Garcia, operations director with SEKO Logistics. Weekly calls with the Elephant Family operations team to go over details and shift plans as required, often due to unforeseen circumstances with the exhibit area and city ordinances, have been key to success. These “required us to stay agile to ensure we met the strict times for load-in and load-out,” Garcia says. The knowledge that the herd is in safe and experienced hands has provided invaluable peace of mind, Humphrey says. The Great Elephant Migration has also benefited from e ciencies resulting from SEKO’s expertise and flexibility. For example, SEKO helps to source smaller trucks when possible. SEKO “embraces the mission and message of The Great Elephant Migration,” Humphrey says. “They helped us bring this wild idea to life.”
these solutions, Agri Beef has enjoyed substantial cost savings, enhanced visibility into carrier performance, and improved communication within its transportation team, Rebholtz says. It has also initiated multiple continuous improvement projects that are propelling future growth. For example, because RedStone manages carrier contracting, Agri Beef no longer has to rely on the
spot market. Along with lower costs, this boosts consistency in carriers, Ritchie says. “Our partnership with RedStone has been invaluable,” Rebholtz says.
Agri Beef partners with RedStone Logistics to ensure the e cient and timely delivery of its premium beef products.
A commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet Agri Beef’s needs, coupled with a focus on identifying cost- saving opportunities, has made RedStone a strategic partner that can help the company navigate market variability, Rebholtz adds. n
112 Inbound Logistics • July 2025
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