Considering the fact that Pilot achieved such amazing milestones in 2010, it may seem hard to believe that the first quarter of 2011 brought in 34 percent higher revenue than Q1 of last year. Well, believe it!

At our National Sales Meeting in March, I told the Pilot team that we expect to hit $500 million in revenue for the year. And with a nearly $115 million Q1, we’re well on the way to hitting that mark.

I have to give a special shout out to our automotive group, which had an impressive first quarter compared to last year, marking 13 percent growth and setting a new bar for themselves. The business unit is an area that we see great potential in, and I’m thrilled to see them doing so well.

For more information, read our full press release below.

Lima, Pa.—May 9, 2011—Pilot Freight Services, a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, today announced its fifth consecutive quarter of strong revenue growth. The company reported revenue of $114.7 million for the quarter ending March 30, 2011, a 34 percent increase over the same period in 2010. The company shipped more than 146.4 million pounds of freight, a 16 percent year-over-year increase. This continued momentum for Pilot extends its record-setting performance of 2010 and indicates that another record year is at hand in 2011.

Pilot’s automotive group saw its highest revenue numbers since being formed in 2007, up 13 percent from 2010. Additionally, the company saw strong growth from its national accounts, international and government business units.

“This was the best first quarter in Pilot’s 40-year history, and puts us on pace to set new revenue records in 2011. The strong demand we are seeing from customers, and our continued double-digit revenue growth is a testimony to our value-added business model,” said Richard Phillips, chief executive officer of Pilot. “Our team continues to do an incredible job servicing our customers and developing new business to sustain this aggressive growth.”

ABOUT PILOT FREIGHT SERVICES

Pilot Freight Services, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics provider with over 75 locations throughout North America. Pilot is also a founding member of the World Freight Alliance (WFA), operating in more than 190 countries worldwide. The company’s freight forwarding services encompasses every mode of transportation, including air, ground, and ocean, serving all corners of the globe. Pilot’s logistics programs offer a complete line of expedited and time-definite services, international shipping solutions, product warehousing, and inventory management. In addition, Pilot’s online shipment navigator, CoPilot, makes online shipping fast, convenient, and secure. Learn more about Pilot Freight Services at www.PilotDelivers.com.

PRESS RESOURCES

Press contact(s): Jessica@GregoryFCA.com
Web site: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/
Blog: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/category/blog/
Press room: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/category/press-releases/

Earlier this year, I spoke with one of the writers from WT100, Gail Dutton (who interviewed John Kelemen last year), and her latest story has come out—focusing on how 3PLs can minimize risks. In the article, Getting Past the Fear Factor, Gail addresses various issues of concern for shippers, ranging from delays and damaged cargo to civil unrest and regulatory changes. More importantly, she covers how 3PLs and transportation providers are helping their customers navigate these issues.

I talked to Gail a lot about how Pilot is helping our clients move into new markets—specifically in Latin America and Europe. We’re seeing more and more customers showing interest in Latin America, thanks to the closeness to U.S. markets, and the availability of inexpensive labor. I explained that one of the best tactics in working internationally can be choosing great local partners. These partners are carefully vetted by us, but often have far more expertise on their region than we do, allowing our customers to benefit from that knowledge.

We also spoke about the growing trend of “merge and deliver” services, and how these can really help ensure customer satisfaction. Historically, manufacturing or service companies would ship parts directly to the customer before an install. That led to delays and confusion, as components were invariably misplaced. However, merge and deliver services eliminate that issue by having the different deliveries ship to Pilot sites. Before an installation team is scheduled, Pilot confirms that all the components have arrived at its warehouse, and coordinates their delivery with the installation team and the store.

To read the full story, head over to WT100’s website.

People ask me all the time why I do triathlons. I usually just fumble around and say something like, “I enjoy it.” But the truth is, I do triathlons to claim ownership over my future. Let me explain.

Eight years ago I had never ridden a bike farther than about a mile. I had never swum more than two laps in a pool. I was an okay runner, but not great. And then I got this idea in my head that I was going to become a triathlete. It turned out that that idea was more powerful than my reality at the time (my reality at the time was that I had little fitness, no experience, and no idea where to start).

I started swimming, gasping and struggling through two laps, then four, then six. I started biking farther and farther, often ending up completely exhausted, miles from home, with no way to get back except by somehow getting back on my bike and pedaling through the pain. I ran farther than I ever dreamed possible.

In the end, I became a triathlete, and in the process, a new person. I proved to myself that a person with an idea (better in my case to call it a dream) can fundamentally change his or her reality, if they have the determination to do so.

That ability to change our own futures is also why Pilot is so excited to sponsor the Cadence Cycling Foundation. The CCF offers cycling instruction, training, and racing opportunities to young people from under-served communities in the Philadelphia area. To date it has formed eight teams that compete and win against better-funded teams with more experience.

That is wonderful, but the reason we support the CCF is not to create cyclists, but to help these young people realize the power of their dreams and, the determination to make them reality. That is why the CCF does not stop with cycling. It provides SAT coaching and other services to help these young people become the person they dream they can be. If you have a minute, please read the college essay from one of our athletes, Leroy Hayes. Leroy is everything you imagine from the essay. He is remarkably bright, dedicated, and I can say from personal experience, one of the most delightful people you could know. What he does not say in his essay (perhaps because, like me, he knows that it is probably the least important aspect of his journey) is that he has become one of the top junior cyclists in the state. It’s a remarkable story.

After you read Leroy’s essay, check out this recent Philadelphia Inquirer article about the organization and some of its members. Pilot is proud to sponsor Leroy and others, as they realize the power of their dreams.

As a 283 pound 10th grader standing at 5’7” I slowly walked down the hall with my chin hanging to the floor. On my way out of school on a warm autumn afternoon, a blonde hair man with a smile that stretched from ear to ear snatched me by the arm and said “Would you like to join the cycling team?” The thought of actually joining a physical activity made me pause, because I found it tiring to walk up the steps to the fourth floor for my classes. Then he said “Come see what it is about.” While still in his vice-like grip he pulls me into a room filled with athletic looking students. I felt so out of place; I felt as if everyone was staring at me. I could see it their eyes “What is he doing here?” During that information session he explained the sport of cycling with so much enthusiasm that he convinced me to at least attempt the sport.

After practicing with the team for a few weeks, I felt like my body was being pushed to its breaking point. Almost every night half way through practice I felt like just calling it quits. The pain wasn’t worth it. Moreover, I felt my body screaming inside, that someone had set my legs aflame. At every practice my coach told me “determination is the key to doing great things.” It was his words that made the brutal workouts bearable. Now I am 100 pounds lighter and one of the best junior cyclist in the state.

During my eleventh grade year I struggled with the work load. That year, I had a hard time maintaining a grade high enough to stay on cycling team. The SATs arrived and I was not too confident about my test taking abilities. My cycling coach provided me with SAT prep classes to boost my self-confidence. The class was two and half hours of practice test after practice test every Wednesday for 5 weeks. As a result, I was able to get the highest SAT score out of my entire 11th grade class.

For my dedication and strides academically, I was named captain of the cycling team in my senior year. I was transformed from a 10th grade student who talked in a low voice and walked with his head held down to a person who walks with his nose in the clouds and makes it his objective to be heard. This year I was told by a junior cyclist “I want to be like you.” At that point, I knew that I was becoming the type of person I always wanted to be; someone others would look to as a role model.

After continuing to break monthly and quarterly records all year long, we have been anticipating for months that 2010 would be the largest year in Pilot’s history. I’m happy to officially announce that we crushed our previous records, with $423.5 million in revenue for 2010. This marks an incredible 31 percent increase over 2009’s numbers.

The thanks for our success, as always, goes to the incredible Pilot team, who works tirelessly to serve our customers above and beyond their expectations.

This is a huge milestone for our company. We have emerged from the recession stronger than before, with local accounts, international shipping, national accounts, home delivery, automotive and logistics all growing very well. And we have exciting things on the horizon for 2011, including the continued expansion of our services, and the opening of new stations domestically and in Europe. Stay tuned to the blog for more details on these exciting developments.

For more details on our 2010 numbers, you can read the full press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Lima, Pa.—January 24, 2011—Pilot Freight Services, a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, announced today it recorded record annual revenue and shipment volume for 2010. Revenue for the year was $423.5 million, a 31 percent increase over 2009, and the company shipped more than 583.4 million pounds of freight in 2010, a 29 percent year-over-year increase.

Despite the struggling economy, Pilot achieved the highest annual revenue and shipment volume since its formation in 1970. The company has seen steady growth since late 2009, continuallysurpassing its own records. December was also the single largest month in company history, with $45.7 million in revenue.
Pilot achieved substantial growth across all business segments for the year, with its international shipping sector leading the way with 60 percent year-over-year growth. Other sectors showing large increases included logistics (26 percent), domestic shipping (18 percent) and national accounts (25 percent).

“We set some high goals for ourselves in 2010, not only in terms of our customer service, product offerings and on-time performance, but also for our revenue growth. I am proud to say that we have exceeded all of them,” said Richard Phillips, CEO of Pilot. “It’s been very rewarding to see that the hard work by the entire Pilot team has paid off. We’re looking forward to another record year in 2011, and we have some exciting events on the horizon, including the opening of our first office in Europe and the continued expansion of our product offerings.”

ABOUT PILOT FREIGHT SERVICES

Pilot Freight Services, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics provider with over 75 locations throughout North America. Pilot is also a founding member of the World Freight Alliance (WFA), operating in more than 190 countries worldwide. The company’s freight forwarding services encompasses every mode of transportation, including air, ground, and ocean, serving all corners of the globe. Pilot’s logistics programs offer a complete line of expedited and time-definite services, international shipping solutions, product warehousing, and inventory management. In addition, Pilot’s online shipment navigator, CoPilot, makes online shipping fast, convenient, and secure. Learn more about Pilot Freight Services at www.PilotDelivers.com.

PRESS RESOURCES

Press contact(s): Jessica@GregoryFCA.com
Web site: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/
Blog: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/category/blog/

 

As we reflect on 2010, and look ahead to 2011, it is useful to think about all of the things that made last year such a success, and all of the things we will do in 2011 to improve our business. I recently had the opportunity to share some of these thoughts in a column for SupplyChainBrain. I talked a little bit about how 2010 will be remembered – as a year in which well-positioned transportation companies gained real momentum by offering greater value to their customers. I also offered some insight into what I believe are the keys to success for transportation companies this year.

My insights may not have been earth-shattering. In fact, they are all things that anyone could see if they were to go out and talk to customers, and then look around at their competition. From knowing that a customer never forgets the service we provide (for better or worse), to earning trust by putting the customer’s interest ahead of short term profits, to fostering customer communication at a deeper level than just shipment data, to working to customize our transportation solutions, it all comes down to a focus on real value that is felt by our customers.

Head over to SupplyChainBrain’s site to read the full column, “Expect Measured Growth in Transportation and Logistics in 2011 – and Customers to Demand More Value.”

When you’re done, I’d love to hear your thoughts – do you agree with my assessment of 2010? Any other thoughts on how transportation companies can best position themselves to succeed? Feel free to leave a comment and chime in.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to talk about Pilot’s white glove delivery services with a writer from WT100 magazine (formerly World Trade). The article came out in the October issue and talks about why white glove services are thriving, even in the down economy. As the article points out, e-commerce is one of the major drivers behind white glove services, as more and more consumers are purchasing large appliances, flat screen televisions and other large items online.

For Pilot, Special Services (which includes white glove services) has been a major growth area, with revenue rising more than 29 percent in the third quarter. We credit that growth to a couple of factors. First of all, we have an extremely advanced online scheduling tool called COMPASS, which allows customers to go online and choose not only the day, but even the time of their delivery. No more waiting around from 8am to 5pm for a delivery person to show up.

We’ve also seen from experience that the faster a delivery is made to a consumer, the lower the chance of that product being returned. Which, of course, is a big selling point for our customers. In the end, the key for us is listening to our customers and customizing our Special Services options to best fit them and their customers.

While this article focuses largely on home deliveries to consumers, it’s important to note that white glove services go far beyond that narrow focus. In the commercial sector, white glove includes delivering medical equipment to hospitals and clinics, and really large screen televisions to board rooms and stadiums.

When I spoke with Joe DiStefano from the Philadelphia Inquirer for a story about Pilot over the summer, the topic of the recession was a major theme. I explained to Joe that while our competitors were cutting jobs, facilities and services to stay afloat in 2009, Pilot saw the recession as an opportunity to grow stronger. We remained committed to maintaining our personnel and services during that difficult time. In fact, we continued to develop new service offerings, like our automotive and logistics services. We took the opportunity to add talent. And we stayed committed to taking market share. We continue to see the results of that commitment.

My interview with Joe came on the heels of an extremely strong Q2, including the largest volume month in Pilot’s history. Then Q3 started, and we blew away all of our old records. We announced today that the third quarter of 2010 was the largest quarter in company history, with $114.5 million in revenue. This number represents an incredible 36 percent growth over the same period in 2009.

In addition to our largest ever quarterly revenue, we had two record-breaking months in the third quarter. In August, we blew away all of the old records by posting $39.9 million. August represented 40 percent growth over the prior year. It was also an astonishing 13 percent higher than the previous record for any month in Pilot history. We had set a new bar. Then in September, we turned around and blew that record away, posting $41.2 million in revenue.

There’s no question that our ongoing success as a company can be credited largely to our continued focus on customer service. However, the explosive growth that we’re seeing now is really due to how we dealt with the economic slowdown last year. As a result of that strategy, as well as the continued hard work put in by our employees, 2010 will be the largest year Pilot has ever had. And more importantly, we’re positioned for continued growth and expansion of our services over the coming year. It’s an exciting time, and while the economy is certainly not out of the woods yet, I feel confident that I’ll be continuing to announce new broken records in the months to come.

Lima, Pa.—October 22, 2010—Pilot Freight Services, a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services, announced record revenue for the third quarter of 2010. The company reported revenue of $114.5 million, up 36 percent from the same period in 2009. These results are more than 20 percent over the previous record of $94.9 million, set in the second quarter of 2010.

The quarter was closed out by the two largest months in company history, with $39.9 million in revenue for August, and $41.2 million for September. Pilot saw substantial growth across all segments of its business, led by its international shipping sector, which grew an impressive 71 percent year-over year for the quarter. Other sectors showing large increases included home delivery (38 percent), special services (29 percent) and national accounts (21 percent).

“We’re seeing great momentum, thanks to maintaining our personnel and continuing to develop new service offerings throughout the recession, while our competitors were making cuts,” said Richard Phillips, CEO of Pilot. “This was the second quarter in a row where we beat our own record revenues. We expect to see great numbers again in Q4, and anticipate that we’ll hit an all-time revenue high for the year.”

ABOUT PILOT FREIGHT SERVICES

Pilot Freight Services, Inc. is a full-service transportation and logistics provider with over 75 locations throughout North America. Pilot is also a founding member of the World Freight Alliance (WFA), operating in more than 190 countries worldwide. The company’s freight forwarding services encompasses every mode of transportation, including air, ground, and ocean, serving all corners of the globe. Pilot’s logistics programs offer a complete line of expedited and time-definite services, international shipping solutions, product warehousing, and inventory management. In addition, Pilot’s online shipment navigator, CoPilot, makes online shipping fast, convenient, and secure. Learn more about Pilot Freight Services at www.PilotDelivers.com.

PRESS RESOURCES

Press contact(s): Jessica@GregoryFCA.com
Web site: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/
Blog: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/category/blog/
Press room: https://www.pilotdelivers.com/category/press-releases/

More than anything else, Pilot’s success depends on our ability to provide our customers excellent value, and unmatched customer service. When you think about it, those two things are not only the core of our business, they determine the future of our company.

That is why I could not be happier to tell you that Pilot has been awarded a Quest for Quality Award from Logistics Management for the 21st time! For the first time this year, we were recognized not only in the Freight Forwarders category, but also as a Third Party Logistics provider. More importantly, among the freight forwarders we ranked number one in the nation in both the Value and Customer Service categories. This is great news for Pilot and a wonderful testament to our employees, who make the customer experience a great one.

In other good news, for the first time since adding third-party logistics services to our list of offerings, we were included in Inbound Logistics’ Top 100 3PL Providers list. For a company that is relatively new to this sector of the industry, being recognized as a top provider nationally is remarkable. Our team has worked extremely hard over the past few years to build our 3PL services, and their success so far is only a hint of what is to come. Great work, everyone!

Thanks to the editors and readers for recognizing our hard work! And thanks to all of the Pilot employees who work hard for our customers every day.

Some people have been asking why we changed the Pilot logo. I want to be clear that we didn’t change it just because it turned 40 – there is nothing wrong with being 40! But it is true that most of the known corporate logos that were created around the same time ours was were updated a long time ago.

For instance, let’s take Starbucks. They opened a few months after Pilot, and their logo featured a bare breasted mermaid. Their reasoning was that she was supposed to be just as seductive as the coffee. She was updated in the eighties with a new hairdo that made her a bit more modest. A few years later, when Apple Computers opened, they had a logo that featured Sir Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree. This was almost immediately changed to the graphic apple with a bite taken out it that we all know so well. But back then, if you remember, it was a rainbow colored apple – very reminiscent of the popular at the time rainbow socks that had separate colored toes. I don’t know why they got rid of the rainbow, but my guess is they figured some of the IBM clients they were pursuing might hesitate at buying their computers from some Northern California hippies.

Logos are constantly changing. Earlier this month, the YMCA formally announced that it is now just the Y, with a very colorful, graphic “Y” logo. It’s not that they are abandoning any of their original principles; they just want to be recognized as a modern organization geared to serving the entire community. After all, everyone called it the Y already, except of course for the Village People. And, a couple of months ago, MTV dropped the “music television” from its logo after 30 years. They had a problem…they don’t really show music anymore. The once 24 hour music video channel is now almost exclusively reality TV, from The Hills to the Jersey Shore, so it was time for an update.  Come to think of it, music is probably about the same percentage of their business as air freight is a part of ours.

So to best have the logo represent who we are today, we lost the plane, because today we are so much more than air freight. We kept the forward tilt because we are definitely moving forward. And we moved from the conservative, calming green to the bold, creative orange. The orange is invigorating, and it says I am not afraid to be noticed.

Oh, and one more thing…it’s Richie’s favorite color.

As you know, last week we announced some impressive revenue growth for the second quarter. The news caught the eye of Philadelphia Inquirer business columnist Joe DiStefano, who spoke with Richard Phillips and John Hill for his article, “Despite economy: Pilot Freight is growing.”

Richard talked to DiStefano about how Pilot was able to not only survive, but thrive, by hiring throughout the recession and taking the opportunity to add talent and market share. He also noted Pilot’s size, which is “big enough to handle heavy equipment but small enough to fill special orders … and still make money.”

DiStefano reports that Pilot’s revenue growth was double the increase reported by FedEx’s U.S. freight business for the same time period. And in a subsequent post on the PhillyDeals blog, he notes that while Pilot saw a 25 percent increase in the number of shipments in Q2 over the same quarter in 2009, UPS and FedEx only saw 2 percent and 1 percent rises, respectively.

To read more, flip over the full story on The Inquirer’s website.