Lazer 2023: Memorable Year of Achievements, Transformations

As we bid farewell to 2023, Lazer Logistics proudly reflects on a year filled with significant milestones, transformative acquisitions, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusion. As the pioneer in efficient, end-to-end distribution yard management solutions, Lazer continues to lead the way in shaping the future of the logistics industry.

In a pivotal development, Lazer Logistics caught the attention of the EQT Infrastructure VI fund, leading to its acquisition. EQT’s commitment to future-proofing the company and its extensive experience in North American transportation, logistics, and fleet electrification positions Lazer for continued success in the rapidly evolving industry landscape.

As we settle in for the year-end holidays, these are a handful of highlights from another successful year at Lazer Logistics:

1. Acquisition of Hirschbach Motor Lines’ Spotting Operations

In a strategic move, Lazer Logistics – already the leading provider of outsourced yard management services in North America – acquired Hirschbach Motor Lines’ spotting operations. This acquisition expanded Lazer’s operational reach and brought onboard the Spotlight YMS (Yard Management Software), a powerful logistics software solution designed for real-time yard visibility and optimization.

With the integration of Hirschbach’s spotting division, Lazer Logistics increased North America’s largest outsourced fleet of EV terminal tractors by over 20%. This substantial growth solidifies Lazer’s position as a frontrunner in decarbonized yard service solutions, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices.

2. Expansion of Class 8 EV Spotting Fleet to Jacksonville, Fla.

Lazer Logistics continued its geographical expansion by introducing its Class 8 electric vehicle spotting fleet to Jacksonville, Fla. This move marked a historic moment for Lazer as it extended its EV reach from coast to coast, connecting Florida to California with a comprehensive network of sustainable yard management solutions. This milestone underscores Lazer’s dedication to sustainability and positions the company as a trailblazer in adopting electric technology in logistics.

3. Growth Despite the Economic Headwinds

2023 started strong, but continued inflationary pressures, rising fuel prices, economic uncertainties, and other pressures made 2023 a challenging year for everyone. Despite these obstacles, Lazer Logistics continued to grow – from footprints in 37 states to 41 and now two Canadian provinces – because our customers realized the benefits of our end-to-end yard management capabilities and added additional services.

4. Industry Leaders in Sustainability and DEI

Lazer Logistics made a concerted effort in 2020 to prioritize Sustainability and DEI in day-to-day operations. Three years later, our results speak for themselves:

Our sustainability initiatives are highlighted by Lazer’s EV program, which reached major milestones in 2023:

• More than 13 million pounds of CO2 (greenhouse gas) were avoided.
• More than 600,000 gallons (about the volume of an Olympic-size swimming pool) of diesel were saved.
• Equivalent to removing 1,300 cars from the road.
• Equivalent to 6.6 million pounds of coal burned.
• Equivalent to more than 100,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

These significant reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide (CO) contribute to cleaner and healthier air for our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Thanks to the dedicated work of our DEI committee, Lazer Logistics was one of two vendors invited by P&G to partner at the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) in October.

Another key initiative was empowering our women in the organization. With the recent hiring of Melanie Sandlin as our first CIO and the promotions of Sheryl Franklin to CCO and Candice Mirasol to CPO, Lazer proudly boasts that three of our six C-suite executives are women.

“When you’re in the day-to-day, it takes a moment to look back at the year to appreciate the hard work from everyone who has contributed to the growth of Lazer this year,” Lazer Logistics CEO Adam Newsome said. “Our partners and customers rely on us to do the job right, whether making necessary improvements or introducing additional services that Lazer offers, including shuttling, trailer rental and leasing, EVs that provide emission-free yard operations, drayage, yard management software, or gate operations.

“I’m proud of our accomplishments across the company – we’ve welcomed new members to the Lazer family from the Hirschbach acquisition, accelerated our professional growth and investment in our people, as evidenced by the diversification of our leadership team,” he said. “Despite the headwinds the industry faced, 2023 will go down as another step forward for Lazer – and we’re eager to make even greater strides next year.”

Closing the book in 2023, Lazer Logistics proudly stands as North America’s most extensive outsourced yard management spotting and trailer services provider – including the most extensive third-party dedicated yard management battery electric (EV) spotter fleet. Boasting a team of over 5,600 dedicated employees and a fleet of 10,000+ assets, Lazer runs an impressive 9 million annual service hours. This remarkable feat is achieved while serving diverse blue-chip customers at over 650 locations across 41 states and two Canadian provinces.

2023 has been a year of unparalleled growth and achievement for Lazer Logistics. As we look forward to the future, the company remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and providing best-in-class yard management solutions for its clients. With a solid foundation and the support of EQT, Lazer Logistics is poised to continue leading the way in transforming the logistics industry for years to come.