It takes more than strategy to implement supply chain optimization.

Lead logistics providers--logistics providers who manage other logistics providers--are the general contractors of the logistics world. You don't always need a 4PL, but when logistics become overly complex or too expensive or a non-core competency to shed, the 4PL function can bring depth and unique expertise to process. And, as companies struggle to find a new fiscal equilibrium in the downturn, there's a good value proposition for consolidating the management of that process in the hands of a 4PL.

In today's constrained economy, as senior management increasingly eyes supply chain operations as a key enterprise driver, shippers are turning to 4PLs to find more creative ways to accomplish their goals. Optimizing the supply chain is a common first step, but their continued value lies in managing relationships and infrastructure, standardizing metrics for reporting and analysis, and pushing innovation through best practices. "4PLs take a purely collaborative approach," explains Eric Bond, president of the 3PL Mach 1 Global Services. "There are millions of great ideas wasting away in consultants' PowerPoint presentations because the company was too busy to do further analysis or didn't have the funds to implement them." 4PLs, however, have the capabilities to identify the most effective of those ideas and implement them.

Although the 4PL can add an extra operational layer to an organization's business model, customers say it more than pays for itself in cost savings and efficiency.

(excerpt from Rise of the 4PL, by Gail Dutton)

Since high school, Jamie Entzminger has done various jobs at Mach 1 Global Services. With more than 10 years of experience in administration, accounting and other areas, she now serves as CEO of the Tempe-based freight company.

"What's really prepared me is I've kind of gotten my hands in every aspect of the business," Entzminger said. "I've seen it all."

Her parents founded Mach 1 in 1988. For Entzminger, the company has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.

After graduating cum laude from Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business in 2006 with a degree in business administration, she went to work as director of marketing for Mach 1.

Now, as CEO, she oversees its domestic and international operations. As one of the largest privately held firms in the state, Mach 1 has a client list that includes Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Honeywell Inc. and Salt River Project.

With a sagging economy, Entzminger said one challenge facing her business is the increasing demand for slower and cheaper freight services.

When the economy was stable, many companies preferred quick shipments--a Mach 1 specialty.

"We're seeing a big shift in our customers using time-critical services," she said. "They're more looking to options in lower levels of expedited services."

Entzminger also said more of Mach 1's clients are focusing their resources away from Asian markets and closer to home to cut costs.

One of the biggest challenges she faces as CEO is leading a company in a global marketplace. Mach 1 has eight offices in Asia and five in Mexico. Last year, she traveled about 70,000 miles.

"Your BlackBerry becomes your best friend sometimes," she said.

Entzminger said the key to her career path was gaining a solid understanding of the company's inner workings.

"You really need to immerse yourself in all aspects of the business. Don't confine yourself," she said.

(excerpt from Women in Business 2009,  March 2009)

Top Fuel drivers David Baca and Doug Kalitta represent rival freight companies on the NHRA tour, yet the two drivers recently got their sponsors to team up to the benefit of U.S. troops in Iraq.

Mach 1 Global Services and Kalitta Air, who support Baca and Kalitta, respectively, pulled off a trans-global delivery with some serious weight behind it when they moved more than two tons of requested weight lifting equipment to soldiers and Marines fighting to keep the peace in Tikrit, Iraq.

Just like at the races, it took a team effort to get the job done. Fortunately, the group had an experienced field general in Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who, together with his wife Brenda, organized the donation through their annual America's Team Ball Drive program, which is part of the couple's First Things First Foundation. 

The project, which took six months to complete, began with a huge contribution from Pure Fitness of Phoenix, which donated all of the weight lifting equipment destined for the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center in Tikrit. 

Next, the folks at Packages from Home painstakingly wrapped each piece for the long journey to Iraq and crated the entire package along with some goodies for the brave men and women at the other end of the line.

Mach 1 Global Services took over from there, picking up the crates and shipping them via airplane to Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J. At that juncture, the crates were transferred to a giant Kalitta Air Boeing 747 cargo aircraft bound for Baghdad via Bahrain. Once in Baghdad, a Sergeant Major from the U.S. Command arranged for the crates to be transported via helicopter to their ultimate destination.

"When we were contacted by First Things First we didn't hesitate to help in supporting the troops overseas and Kurt's foundation," said Mach 1 Global Services CEO Jamie Entzminger. "After all, Mach 1 is in the business of shipping freight to destinations all over the globe. A big thanks goes out to Doug and the team at Kalitta Air for jumping on board and teaming up with Mach 1 in support of such a great cause."

(excerpt from Go2Geiger.com, May 2009)