12/18/2020

NFI 2020 Wrapped

Reading Time: 6 minutes
2020

 





A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

As the world shut down, NFI team members across the country worked to ensure orders were delivered on time and shelves stayed stocked. These Everyday Heroes exemplify what it means to #BleedBlue. 

Even in times of hardship, the NFI field and corporate teams rose to support the communities around them. NFI donated transportation services to get food donations to a remote food bank in Utah for Campbell’s Soup. In Philadelphia, our team procured and shipped 230,000 diapers to a local partner, Cradles to Crayons. In Camden, NJ, NFI has been donating meals to neighboring healthcare workers at Cooper University Hospital. Every act of service is valuable, including a simple gesture of helping an elderly man cross a busy street.

NFI executives took it a step further and established the NFI COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide financial support for associates who faced financial distress or hardship as a result of COVID-19. The fund helped over 400 families and donated more than $340,000. 

NFI also looks to make a difference in the community, especially our headquarter city of Camden, NJ. Most recently, our team has donated 250 turkeys through the Food Bank of South Jersey and Price Rite grocers in Camden. For the holidays, NFI supported six local families by purchasing their holiday gifts with the help of The Camden Salvation Army Kroc Center.

 


DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

In June, civil unrest, inequity, and systemic racism dominated conversations in the media and the boardroom. With integrity, social responsibility, and safety being NFI core values, our CEO, Sid Brown, knew he needed to make a clear statement on NFI’s current and future endeavors to further create a diverse and inclusive company.

NFI’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, established in 2019, has since added “Diversity & Inclusion” as an imperative in NFI’s strategy. The team conducted inclusion training, carried out an organizational analysis on inclusion, and continues to advance projects to build upon our company’s foundational strategy.

 






DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY

NFI saw an uptick in the press surrounding our electric vehicle initiatives in 2020. From industry publications to Forbes and The New York Times, supply chain electrification remained on people’s minds amidst the pandemic.

NFI is one of the first companies to deploy the eCascadia into its commercial operations as part of the Freightliner Electric Vehicle Council. This year, the zero-emissions fleet crossed both the 300,000 miles driven and the 500,000 miles driven thresholds.

Our team also began piloting Volvo VNR Heavy-Duty Trucks in Southern California through the Volvo LIGHTS program, which runs through 2021. As a project partner, our trucks led the parade to commemorate the opening of Port of Long Beach’s new cable-stayed bridge.

 


CREATING 5,000 NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NFI FAMILY

As pandemic-related unemployment peaked, NFI was able to weather the storm. With 80% of our top customers considered essential businesses, the company was in the fortunate position of providing support for affected employees, as well as returning to full capacity more quickly than other competitors.

As our essential customers’ business boomed, NFI was able to provide flexibility and visibility to their fluctuating supply chain networks. As a result, NFI grew and expanded alongside existing and new customers. The growth allowed NFI to open up 5,000 positions in major logistics hubs, providing a stable and consistent career opportunity to many across the country who had been placed out of work.


3 Men in safety vests inside warehouse

 


 

 

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR DISTRIBUTION

Fluctuating demand and capacity shortages have left shippers and manufacturers with limited options to store inventory. As a COVID reemergence threatens the country again, NFI’s Real Estate team has helped to subdue some of those space-related anxieties.

Built-to-suit construction and development projects have continued to progress despite the pandemic. Facilities in South Bend, IN and Pedricktown, NJ went live at the beginning of the year, with three other projects under construction today: South Dallas, TX; Greensboro, NC; and Breinigsville, PA.


CELEBRATING SAFETY & DRIVING EXCELLENCE

Ten company drivers from across North America were inducted into NFI’s Haul of Fame in our second annual ceremony. Recognized drivers have worked for NFI for at least 20 years, or have driven at least 2 million consecutive accident-free miles.

In the same ceremony, NFI also recognized our million-mile drivers for over 1 million safe, accident-free miles.

 

 



 

 

 

GROWING THROUGH WHAT WE’RE GOING THROUGH

NFI announced the acquisition of CAI Logistics, the non-asset division of CAI International in the third quarter of 2020. 

CAI Logistics’ rail solutions extend NFI’s access to more than 100,000 pieces of railroad equipment. The acquisition also enhances NFI’s growing ocean and air freight forwarding services that help shippers better connect their international and domestic supply chains.

David Broering, President of Non-Asset Logistics at NFI, offered insight into NFI’s acquisition of CAI Logistics and how the partnership will enhance NFI’s solutions, geographic footprint, and customer service.


ONE YEAR WITH G&P

The end of December marks one year since NFI’s acquisition of G&P Trucking Company, which helped expand NFI’s network density in the Southeast with expanded dedicated transportation, drayage and brokerage solutions. The past year of agility and flexibility servicing our customers could not have been accomplished without the talents of our newest team members. Take a look back at what G&P’s team brought to NFI.