Our History

Milestones

  1983 

Gateway Expediting begins in Central Michigan, transporting air automotive expedites after receiving their air carrier certificate.

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  1986 

After purchasing a second air freighter, Gateway realizes the need for a truck to pick up and deliver the air cargo. A very well-used C60 GMC 18 foot box truck is added to the fleet. 

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  1992 

Gateway Expediting had fully expanded into expedited trucking as the rules and regulations became more lenient for companies who were delivering from an air shipment. By this time, they were operating 2 Ford extended vans, 4 box trucks, 1 tractor, and 2-48 foot trailers.

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   1998 

Gateway’s fleet had grown to 15 tractor trailers. 

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   2006 

Northern Logistics was founded from the purchase of Gateway Expediting.

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   2007 

Started in the Michigan LTL market through hauling beer, wine, and food.

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   2010 

Northern Logistics Worldwide is founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, allowing us to provide third-party logistics solutions to customers around the globe.

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   2011 

Northern opened their new 30,000 square foot warehouse and office facility with 11 docks and a 17,000 square foot maintenance facility.

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   2013 

The Northern Logistics Flatbed Division is founded through the purchase of Way Transportation in Charlevoix, Michigan.

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    2015 

A cross dock was opened at the Capital Region Airport in Lansing, Michigan.

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     2016 

To better suit our customers growing demand, the Flatbed Division moved to the Boyne City Industrial Park in Boyne City, Michigan, expanding our warehousing to 50,000 square feet. Also, the Worldwide Division in Grand Rapids moved to a larger facility with 30 docks.

In July, Northern entered into the heavy-haul industry after purchasing an 8-axle flatbed.

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      2017 

Northern Logistics acquired Beach & Sons Trucking, expanding the flatbed division and increasing our freight capacity in Northern Michigan.

We opened a Taylor, Michigan cross dock, 5 miles from Detroit Metro Airport. Northern Logistics employs 150 Drivers, 25 Office workers, and 10 Mechanics 

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2018

Northern Logistics employs 168 Drivers, 34 Office workers, and 10 Mechanics 

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2019

Northern Logistics employs 184 Drivers, 37 Office workers, and 12 Mechanics 

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2020

Northern Logistics employs 211 Drivers, 38 Office workers, and 15 Mechanics 

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2021

Northern Logistics employs 227 Drivers, 37 Office workers, 12 Warehouse workers,  and 13 Mechanics (Totalling 289)

Added a new cross-dock in Taylor, MI 

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2022

Northern Logistics employs 280 Drivers, 41 Office workers, 10 Warehouse workers,  and 19 Mechanics (Totalling 350)

Northern Logistics acquired Rob Smith Transportation and TJ's Trucking in Cadillac, MI

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2023

Northern Logistics employs 327 Drivers, 41 Office workers, 10 Warehouse workers,  and 19 Mechanics (Totalling 397)

Northern Logistics acquired Ennis Trucking in Traverse City, MI. 

The original equipment of Gateway Expediting in 1986, a far cry from the 150 trucks in our current fleet!

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The current headquarters of Northern Logistics in Clare, MI. It's hard to believe that 10 years ago we operated in one building. 

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The Northern Logistics Freight Management and Brokerage division in Grand Rapids MI was founded in 2010 and allowed us to be able to cover freight for our customers anywhere in the world.

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The acquisition of Way Transportation in 2013 and Beach & Sons Trucking in 2017 has allowed Northern Logistics to expand our service offering to customers by adding, and growing, our flatbed division in Northern Michigan.

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Our NEW Taylor cross-dock facility in 2021.

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The acquisition of TJ's and Rob Smith Transportation in 2022.

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In 2023 Northern Logistics excitingly announces the acquisition of Ennis Trucking.