Our Story

PLG was founded in the summer of 2008 by Robert Stull, a seasoned executive with 30 years of experience in the transportation and logistics services industries, and Austin Ventures, one of the nation's leading venture and growth capital firms. 

Mr. Stull began his career at Roadway Express, a leading less-than-truckload carrier in the U.S., in an entry level position and rose to become President and CEO of the $3 billion, 25,000 employee enterprise.  Mr. Stull and the team at Austin Ventures partnered in 2007 and researched and developed the plans to launch PLG.

Austin Ventures, with a 28-year track record and $3.8 billion of capital under management, is one of the leading growth equity firms in the nation. For over ten years, Austin Ventures has been an active supply chain services investor and has a proven track record of successfully investing and partnering with talented executives in the space. The premise of the company that emerged from the partnership was simple—to build a leading nationwide provider of warehousing, distribution, and transportation services in U.S. port cities.

As they prepared to launch PLG, Mr. Stull and Austin Ventures sought out logistics providers who would provide a strong foundation for the new company and were strategically-located in key ports.

The companies who were brought together to launch PLG (and others that were added) share some important, common attributes:

• Expertise in managing the unique logistics challenges associated with moving goods and providing warehousing, distribution and transportation services in and around a port.

• Close ties to their customers with great service and value-added solutions for their regional markets.

• Dynamic, entrepreneurial and well-regarded management teams.

• The vision to grow their businesses into a national company.

In the summer of 2008, PLG was launched with the acquisition of three leading port logistics providers:

• Distribution Solutions/Jefco in Newark, NJ

• Transport Express in Rancho Dominguez, CA

• 3rd Party Enterprise/Operon in the City of Industry, CA

This immediately gave PLG a powerful presence on the east and west coast ports and revenue of approximately $100 million. Thus far in 2009, PLG expanded into Savannah, GA and Baltimore, MD with transportation and cross-loading services.  Several additional acquisitions in other key port markets will soon follow in order to further strengthen PLG's ability to provide comprehensive, national logistics solutions for its clients.

Distribution Solutions, founded by the Wolpov family, was a continuation of a family business that dated back to 1969. Led by CEO Jeff Wolpov, Distribution Solutions became a fast growing entrepreneurial logistics provider in the port of Newark. They are experts in the retail, apparel, and consumer goods vertical line of business with an impressive customer following—from Fortune 500 retailers to strong mid-market manufacturers. Distribution Solutions, as its name implies, provides a complete distribution and transportation solution for its customers delivering goods through the Port of New Jersey.

Transport Express was founded and led by CEO Steve Senecal. Mr. Senecal has over 25 years of logistics experience in the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach and has built a reputation for being a great service provider in Southern California. Transport Express customers have come to value their efficient trucking and drayage service, a strategically-located high-velocity cross-dock operation, and strong distribution capabilities.

Third Party Enterprises/Operon was founded by entrepreneur Lou Gram over 20 years ago. Operon has long enjoyed a reputation as the leader in retail apparel logistics on the West Coast. Built on service and long-term relationships with its customers, Operon provides a complete distribution solution for importers through the Southern California ports.