Category ContainerPort Group

January 4, 2018

Press Release: ContainerPort Group and ASF Transportation Group Announce Merger

CLEVELAND, OH – January 4, 2018 – ContainerPort Group, Inc. (CPG) and ASF Transportation Group, LLC (ASF) are pleased to announce a merging of the two enterprises effective January 1, 2018. The combination of CPG and ASF will form an intermodal drayage powerhouse with over 1,300 power units in most key markets east of the Rockies.

Michael Smith, founder and president of ASF Transportation, will move forward as President of ContainerPort Group, Inc. “We began a search process nearly two years ago to retire the late Russ Graef, who was a veteran of our company for 45 years,” said Fred Hunger, CPG’s Chairman. “Michael brings exactly the type of hands-on, genuine, and no-ego type of management style which we were patiently looking to bring to the organization. His executive leadership from the transportation space, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit is a perfect combination to lead our now 1,300 plus strong fleet, and our Midwest intermodal depot locations.”

CPG & ASF 2018 Network Map

“Kudos go out to Tim McNamara, head of the Transportation Infrastructure Practice at global search firm of Odgers Berndtson, who led the search process,” said Hunger. Prior to ASF, Michael worked with Southern Cal Transport, and also many years with Schneider National.

ASF Transportation – comprised of ASF Intermodal, ASF Truckload, ASF Brokerage, and Middle Bay Transportation – brings a fleet of nearly 600 independent contractors and a very talented group of managers, dispatchers, customer service and support teams to the combined enterprise. “We are very excited to join the CPG team in blending our respective strengths into a dominant force in the intermodal drayage space,” said Michael Smith. “Our strengths as a South, mid-Atlantic, and US Gulf operator are a great strategic fit to CPG’s strengths in the Midwest, mid and North Atlantic markets.”

The combined company, to be operated under the ContainerPort Group brand, will be comprised of 24 terminals, 1,300 plus trucks, and over 400 professionals. With this merger, the company remains focused on providing superior service to fulfill customers’ needs in intermodal drayage, depot, truckload and brokerage operations.

The merger involves only the Intermodal/Transportation arm of the ASF Group. The Forwarding/Ocean Division, trading as ASF Logistics and ASF Global, will remain independent and under the existing management structure.

The combination is effective January 1, 2018 – and the two companies will work, in parallel, until such time as it can provide for an orderly combination of the operations.

ContainerPort Group, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio is a leading service provider to the containerized cargo shipping industry and is celebrating its 47^th year of operation. Today, CPG provides intermodal container trucking, inland CY Terminal and transloading operations, warehousing and logistics, and container repair, modification, sale and rental services.

About ASF

Based in Mobile, Alabama, ASF Intermodal is a full-service drayage provider and full transportation broker focused on providing common cargo, flat racks and overweight load freight services throughout the Southeastern United States through a strong network of import/export triangulations and port-to-door trucking. Services provided by ASF Intermodal include vendor management, chassis management, import/export triangulation, cargo management and flow optimization, transport management, cross-docking, trans-loading and distribution.

About ContainerPort Group

ContainerPort Group, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating over forty-five years of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (container depot, CY, equipment maintenance) to ocean carriers, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries. CPG operates facilities and terminals in twenty distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast, Southeast and Gulf regions.

For more information, please visit www.containerport.com

CONTACT:

Michael Smith
Email: Michael.Smith@containerport.com
Tel: 251-287-8152

Russel A. Graef - President, ContainerPort Group

November 1, 2017

ContainerPort Group Announces Passing of President and Co-Founder Russel A. Graef

CLEVELAND, OH – October 30, 2017 – ContainerPort Group, Inc. announced today that its President and long-time company veteran, Russel A. Graef, passed away on October 26, 2017. It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of one of the intermodal industry’s founders, pioneers and collaborators.

Since CPG’s founding in 1971, Graef held executive positions in all divisions of the business, including terminal operations, sales, logistics, fleet safety, trucking, depot/CY and M&R operations. Fred Hunger, CEO of World Shipping, CPG’s parent company says, “Russ was a true company man focused on ContainerPort Group’s mission: To become intermodal’s best by achieving excellence in all we do. He was capable of operating lift machines, dispatching trucks, presenting to the Board of Directors and everything in between.”

Graef’s leadership, dedication, and ability to get into the day to day details helped bring the company to its leadership position in the market. Hunger continues, “Having been active in the industry for over 45 years – Russ has touched many lives, enjoyed countless friendships and made a lasting impact on many with his creativity and passion for solutions.”

Bob Leef, Senior V.P. East, commemorates Graef stating, “Russ valued people, employees and family above anything else. He would always go the extra mile when anyone needed help or guidance. I will miss a great boss, mentor and friend.”

It was Graef and his team’s vision to provide customers with nimble and responsive intermodal solutions – a concept which took off, propelling CPG to become a leading provider of container drayage throughout the United States. “Russ was a visionary long before the term was widely used in our industry. We are all very fortunate and blessed to have had him as a fearless leader – one who always led by example,” states Jim Kramer, Senior V.P. Midwest, embracing Graef’s legacy.

Graef forged the organization’s culture of operating as a national company run by local talent. It is this culture which has been one of CPG’s greatest keys to success, empowering the company to stand the test of time. Kramer remarks, “Russ believed in all of us, believed in our ability to be great. He would see people not as they are, but what they could become. He was our teacher, and the lessons he taught us will always live on within CPG.”

Throughout his career, Graef was also very active in a number of industry associations. ContainerPort Group’s CFO Glenn Fehribach states, “Russ was also a tremendous contributor to the trucking industry, serving on various boards and committees, offering unique perspectives and passionately challenging the status quo! I will sorely miss Russ’ passion, partnership and friendship.” Graef held leadership roles with the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and served on the Board of Directors of the American Trucking Association’s Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference (IMCC). He was also a founding board member of the North American Chassis Pool Cooperative (NACPC).

Graef’s enduring ambition for ContainerPort Group was to build a visionary company dedicated to providing innovative cargo transportation and freight services while delivering the highest level of customer service available in the industry. We will continue on with his legacy, embracing the unique culture he created that will sustain us for many years to come.

Notes of remembrance can be sent to the company at info@www.worldshipping.com.

About ContainerPort Group

ContainerPort Group, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating over forty-five years of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (container depot, CY, equipment maintenance) to ocean carriers, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries. CPG operates facilities and terminals in twenty distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast, Southeast and Gulf regions.

For more information, please visit www.containerport.com

CONTACT:
Jenna Porostosky (ContainerPort Group, Inc.)
Tel: 440-895-8228
Email: marketing@worldgrp.net

in ContainerPort Group / People / Press Releases

May 26, 2017

ContainerPort Group expands intermodal network into Houston, Texas

CLEVELAND, OH – May 26, 2017 – ContainerPort Group, Inc. (CPG) expands its drayage network into Houston, Texas officially on May 15, 2017. Port Houston handles roughly two-thirds of the region’s container trade and positions CPG to exceed customer demands, with their drayage terminal strategically placed between the two main ports, Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Bayport Container Terminal. The recent developments with the Panama Canal expansion allows for larger berth vessels to bypass the West Coast ports in favor of Gulf Coast terminals with better access to destinations.

With over 45 years of intermodal experience, CPG is more excited than ever to add more capacity to their growing logistics footprint. Senior VP of Commercial, Jim Kramer states, “CPG follows the needs of their customers and we have seen a strong increase in demand for drayage in the South. We are proud to extend our company’s service offerings into the Gulf region, and our dedicated team of highly experienced professionals are ready to fulfill this demand.”

Kramer added, “This strategic expansion allows our customers to use a drayage provider in Houston that they already trust and serves them well in other regions. CPG now has more capacity to handle their growth, and we are happy to offer more lanes to get their cargo where it needs to go.”

The Houston terminal offers all of CPG’s intermodal solutions and significant advantages to support its valued customers’ supply chains, and is conveniently located at:

ContainerPort Group, Inc.
1600 South 16th Street
La Porte, TX 77571
E: cpghou@containerport.com
Tel: 281-972-5557
Slader Atkinson, Regional Director-Gulf
CPG Houston Webpage

About ContainerPort Group
ContainerPort Group, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating over forty-five years of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (container depot, CY, equipment maintenance) to ocean carriers, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries. CPG operates facilities and terminals in nineteen distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast, Southeast and Gulf regions.

CONTACT:
James R. Kramer
Tel: 440-895-8145
Email: jim.kramer@containerport.com

CONTACT:
Jenna Porostosky
Tel: 440-895-8228
Email: marketing@containerport.com

in Container Trucking / ContainerPort Group / Press Releases

March 30, 2017

ContainerPort Group Expands Operations into Memphis, Tennessee

CLEVELAND, OH – March 30, 2017 – ContainerPort Group, Inc. (CPG) is pleased to announce the opening of its newest terminal location in Memphis, Tennessee.

CPG expands into Memphis with access to the world through its central location and world-class transportation infrastructure. It is an ideal area for CPG’s intermodal drayage, with strong rail and road presence. Memphis is one of only four U.S. cities to be served by five Class I railroads and holds the 4th largest inland port in the US.

The new terminal location is positioned near the BNSF, with easy access to all other Memphis area rail ramps and convenient to local interstates 240 and 55. The 2.5-acre terminal offers intermodal trucking services and includes a seasoned staff and growing fleet, providing customers the consistent, reliable service seen throughout CPG’s full network since its founding in 1971.

The address and contact information for CPG Memphis is:

ContainerPort Group, Inc.
4727 Pleasant Run Road
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 563-6300
cpgmem@containerport.com
Terry Gummersheimer, Regional Director-Midwest

About ContainerPort Group:
ContainerPort Group, Inc. is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating over 45 years of operation. CPG provides drayage services, full service depot operations (CY), warehousing and logistics to ocean carriers, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries with concentration on international cargoes. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, CPG operates facilities and terminals in 19 distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Southeast regions.

Contact:
Jim Kramer, Senior Vice President-Commercial
(440) 895-8145
jim.kramer@containerport.com

in Companies / Container Trucking / ContainerPort Group / Market Updates / Press Releases / Services

January 8, 2016

Transportation & Logistics International – Fall 2015 Cover Story – “End-to-End Service” World Shipping, Inc.

Written by Tim O’Connor, Transportation & Logistics International

No matter where in the world a product or piece of machinery needs to go, World Shipping can get it there. “We’re a middle-market company that’s focused on high-service delivery to the discerning international shipper,” President and CEO Fred Hunger says.

World Shipping’s advantage in the logistics market stems from the ability to coordinate and connect its subsidiary companies, each of which specializes in aspects of the supply chain. “We tie together our assets, such as trucks, chassis, tank fleet, warehouses with our customs house brokerage, import/export teams, international offices and deep-sea operations. There’s virtually no international logistics move that we can’t solve or perform with our group,” Hunger explains.

The typical World Shipping customer is focused on manufacturing and marketing products and needs a partner to provide shipping solutions. “They’re relying on us to provide a global, effective distribution system for them,” Hunger says of clients. World Shipping’s subsidiaries have offices in more than a dozen countries, allowing the company to provide customers with a local structure and to work closely with manufacturing clients to lessen the time it takes to deliver a product to market. “Our company has a proud history of providing world-class customer service. We now look to build on that legacy with key investments in technology and skin in the game in terms of assets to service clients,” Hunger adds. “[We are] growing globally while maintaining our continued focus on service and quality.”

Fred Hunger’s father, Jack Hunger, founded World Shipping in 1960 following the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway the year before. The series of canals and locks made the Atlantic Ocean accessible to Great Lakes communities and provided business opportunities for logistics companies, such as World Shipping, to coordinate the rising delivery of goods to the region. By the 1960s, containers had become a more significant part of the shipping industry and World Shipping transitioned its business to liner agents for steam ships to enter the global trade market. “Over time we have grown strategically into a complete international logistics company,” Hunger says.

Local Veterans Honored by International Logistics Company, World Shipping, Inc.

CLEVELAND, OH (November 11th, 2015) – World Shipping, Inc. honored local veterans during a ceremony and celebration on Wednesday, November 11^th, 2015 at 11:00am. U.S Air Force veteran, Chris Castell, presented World Shipping, Inc. with the U.S flag he earned while serving oversees as Director of Supply Chain, Logistics & Operations. Castell served in the U.S Air Force for over 15 years before entering into a successful career in supply chain management and logistics, as a civilian. Castell now works for the Rocky River-based company as Director of Operations, North America at NewPort Tank Containers (A World Group Company).

“I am so proud to work for a company that is passionate about recognizing employees that have honorably served our country. Not all employers take the time to celebrate their teams. The fact that the World Shipping, Inc. does take the time to acknowledge our employee milestones, shows that we are a company that operates with integrity.”

John Hunger, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer for World Shipping, Inc. emphasized the importance of taking the time to honor employee veterans; “We as a company believe in the importance of showcasing the achievements of our employees. One of the greatest achievements that we’ve been able to identify, are the 27 individuals within our organization that are United States Veterans. These men and women have stood up for our country and have allowed us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today. The very minimum of what we can do is recognize them for their service.”

The veterans honored during the ceremony included:

Russ Graef, ContainerPort Group, President
Stephen Peters, ContainerPort Group, Recruiting Coordinator
Randy Ross, ContainerPort Group, Network Engineer
Fabian Negron, NewPort Tank Container, Customer Service Representative
Scott Globokar, ContainerPort Group, Inspector
Betty Knight, NewPort Tank Container, Customer Service Representative
Robin Nelsen, UWL, Customer Service Representative

Not in attendance:

Shane Stoneburner, World Distribution Service, Supervisor
David Hertvik, UWL, Vice President, Finance

The timing of the ceremony was significant, as it represented the historical events that transpired causing Veterans Day to come into existence on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the month of 1918. Each employee veteran was given a Veterans Day pin so they could be visibly recognized for their dedication to their country and their company. Following the ceremony complimentary refreshments from The Manna food truck were provided for employees to enjoy.

About World Shipping, Inc.

Since 1960, World Shipping has been active in serving shippers and receivers of international cargo operating in multiple segments, including vessel agency operations, freight forwarding, ocean freight, trucking, rail operations, warehousing and distribution, bulk liquid international logistics, and customs clearance. Headquartered in Cleveland, OH, The World Group companies include World Shipping, Inc., ContainerPort Group, UWL, World Distribution Services, and NewPort Tank Containers.

For more information, please visit www.worldshipping.com.

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in Companies / ContainerPort Group / Europe / Latin America / NewPort Tank Containers / North America / Offices / People / Press Releases / TankBag / UWL / World Distribution Services / World Shipping, Inc.

October 21, 2015

ContainerPort Group Hires Industry Veteran Mike Mays, Appoints Him to Vice President of National Accounts

CLEVELAND, OH (October 21, 2015) – ContainerPort Group, Inc. (CPG) is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Mays – effective October 26. Mays will serve as CPG’s Vice President of National Accounts, reporting directly to Jim Kramer, SVP, Commercial.

Mays’ career, spanning two decades, has allowed him to play an integral part of teams at P&O Nedlloyd, GATX, OOCL and Domestic Intermodal America/AgriOcean Service. He is well-respected member of industry groups – participating on boards and associations such as Intermodal Association of North America, Midwest Foreign Commerce Club and the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

According to Kramer, Mays brings “…an impressive skillset to the CPG team. There is no doubt that he has experience, honed over an impressive career, that will allow him to provide value to our customers – BCOs, NVOs and Ocean Carriers alike.”

About ContainerPort Group

ContainerPort Group, Inc. headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating its 44^rd year of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (depot, CY, equipment maintenance, rail ramp operations) to shipping lines, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries with concentration on international cargoes. CPG operates facilities and terminals in 17 distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Southeast regions.

Information

Jim Kramer, Senior Vice President, Commercial
P: (440) 895-8145
jim.kramer@containerport.com

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in Companies / Container Trucking / ContainerPort Group / North America / Offices / People / Press Releases / Services

June 4, 2015

ContainerPort Group Recognized with Two Awards at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Annual Global Carrier Conference

CLEVELAND, OH (June 4, 2015) – ContainerPort Group has been awarded two distinctive awards by Lowe’s Companies, Inc. for best-in-class service:

2014 Dray Carrier of the Year – Region One (in recognition of CPG’s service commitment to Lowe’s)
2014 100% On-Time Service Platinum Carrier Award (for consistently providing Lowe’s with the highest level of delivered service)

Each year Lowe’s Home Improvement recognizes excellent service amongst their vast network of supply chain partners during the annual Global Carrier conference and awards ceremony. It is notable that, as one of Lowe’s newer vendors, CPG has exceeded expectations exponentially and surpassed the competition – both key factors in receiving both designations.

Lowe’s is the second largest home improvement retailer in the world with company revenues totaling $56.2 billion in 2014. With 1,840 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and an extensive supply chain network of more than 30 distribution centers, best-in-class partners are an essential part of the supply chain solution to ensure consistency and efficiency. ContainerPort Group is proud to support Lowe’s Home Improvement as a customer and is committed to providing world-class service for years to come.

For more information, visit www.containerport.com

About ContainerPort Group

ContainerPort Group, Inc. headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating its 44th year of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (depot, CY, equipment maintenance, rail ramp operations) to shipping lines, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries with concentration on international cargoes. CPG operates facilities and terminals in 17 distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Southeast regions.

For more information, visit www.containerport.com.

Contact

ContainerPort Group, Inc.
James R. Kramer
Senior Vice President, Commercial
440.895.8145
jim.kramer@containerport.com

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE^® 100 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico through its stores and online at lowes.com, lowes.ca and lowes.com.mx. With fiscal year 2014 sales of $56.2 billion, Lowe’s has 1,840 home improvement and hardware stores and more than 265,000 employees. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects.

For more information, visit www.lowes.com.

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in Accolades & Articles / Companies / Container Trucking / ContainerPort Group / North America / Offices / Press Releases / Services

May 22, 2015

ContainerPort Group Named Evergreen Shipping’s Container Yard of the Year, Midwest Region

COLUMBUS, OH (May 22, 2015) – ContainerPort Group has been awarded the Container Yard of the Year Award from Evergreen Shipping for their efforts throughout the past year.

“Evergreen Shipping Agency Corporation places great emphasis on providing high-quality service,” says President Roy Amalfitano. “Our goal is to satisfy our customers by meeting and exceeding their expectations and keeping them competitive in global trade. This philosophy is one of the keys to our success. We depend on [CPG] to play a significant role in helping us to achieve this goal.”

“It is an absolute honor to win this award,” says CPG Senior Vice President, Commercial, Jim Kramer. “We look to increase our world-class offerings with our valued partner, Evergreen Shipping, throughout our strategic best-in-class network.”

For more information, visit www.containerport.com

About ContainerPort Group

ContainerPort Group, Inc. headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating its 44th year of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (depot, CY, equipment maintenance, rail ramp operations) to shipping lines, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries with concentration on international cargoes. CPG operates facilities and terminals in 17 distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Southeast regions.

For more information, visit www.containerport.com

Contact

ContainerPort Group, Inc.
James R. Kramer
Senior Vice President, Commercial
440.895.8145
jim.kramer@containerport.com

About Evergreen Shipping

Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. is North America General Agent for three of the world’s leading ocean carriers Evergreen Marine, Italia Marittima, Hatsu Marine. Serving the international ocean logistics needs of U.S. importers and exporters since 1974, providing customer service, sales, marketing, logistics and administrative support.

For more information, visit www.evergreen-shipping.us

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in Accolades & Articles / Companies / Container Trucking / ContainerPort Group / North America / Offices / Press Releases / Services

April 24, 2015

ContainerPort Group Opens New Terminal in Atlanta, GA

CLEVELAND, OH (April 24, 2015) – ContainerPort Group, Inc. (CPG) is pleased to announce the opening of its newest transportation terminal in Atlanta, Georgia.

The terminal location was previously in operation as a division of Delta Express for 12 years. Customers have been transitioned to CPG where they can expect the results they’ve seen in prior years with the added support that comes with being a part of the CPG family.

Features of this facility include:

8-acre terminal centrally located to all Atlanta-area rail ramps: BNSF, CSX, FEC & NS.
20 seasoned Owner/Operator Trucking professionals that have moved from Delta Express to CPG.
Intermodal regional trucking services, specializing in ISO boxes.
Mounted container storage.
Access to SACP chassis pool.

The Atlanta terminal is conveniently located at:

ContainerPort Group, Inc.

4220 MLK Jr. Drive

Atlanta, GA 30336

E: cpgatl@containerport.com

Jason Haynes, Operations Manager
Robert Whitlow, Regional Manager – South Atlantic

About ContainerPort Group

ContainerPort Group, Inc. headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is a leading provider of services to the container shipping industry and is celebrating its 44th year of operation. CPG provides both motor carrier services and terminal services (depot, CY, equipment maintenance, rail ramp operations) to shipping lines, railroads, shippers/receivers, and freight intermediaries with concentration on international cargoes. CPG operates facilities and terminals in 17 distinct geographic markets throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Northeast and Southeast regions. For more information, visit www.containerport.com

Contact

ContainerPort Group, Inc.
James R. Kramer
Senior Vice President, Commercial
440.895.8145
jim.kramer@containerport.com

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in Companies / Container Trucking / ContainerPort Group / North America / Offices / Press Releases / Services