Third-party, non-asset based logistics provider honors carriers for excellence in customer service

National Logistics Management (NLM) is championing performance excellence in presenting its second annual Carrier Awards to air freight and ground freight carriers that have provided outstanding customer service in 2005. The awards are based on metrics from NLM's Carrier Excellence Program. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 31, 2006 in Livonia, MI.

NLM's Carrier Excellence Program outlines the expectations that NLM and its clients hold as the most important factors of service quality, applying a point system to each carrier based on cost and quality. NLM tracks shipments for more than 450 ground, air freight and air charter carriers, and develops a 'scorecard' on each carrier that is shared with clients and carriers each month. NLM is non-asset based and works in partnership with an extensive carrier base to manage expedited freight.

'These carriers are some of the best in the business and it's a pleasure to recognize the top service providers in our second annual Carrier Awards,' said Scott Taylor, CEO of National Logistics Management. 'These carriers are an integral part of not only NLM's day-to-day business operations, but also our customers', who are dependent on efficient, reliable shipping. It's important to acknowledge these carriers' demonstrated commitment to and execution of customer service excellence.'

NLM's Carrier Awards are presented in the following categories: Hard To Cover (HTC) Support, On-Time Performance, Carrier Excellence and Special Recognition. For each category, carriers are evaluated on service- and performance-related metrics.

The On-Time Performance Award is based on company size and shipping volume, the latter of which is determined by a review of shipping data from 2005 and on-time delivery ratings. This year's On-Time Performance Awards were presented to D & S Delivery, First Class Expedited, Stonepath Logistics and Transtewart Trucking.

NLM utilizes its Carrier Excellence Program to continuously evaluate carriers based on a variety of performance metrics. Winners of the Overall Performance Awards are determined by Carrier Excellence Program scores across all of NLM's business in which they participate. The monthly scorecards carriers received in 2005 were reviewed for the highest scores in each category. The Carrier Excellence Award winners are Ace Forwarding, Meteor Express, Moe's Transport and Roadway Express.

A Special Recognition Award is presented based on feedback from NLM's operations department, along with shipment bid percentages, taking the extra step of positioning equipment when a crisis arises and keeping NLM informed of industry-wide issues, especially those including border crossing matters, hours of service changes and other issues of concern to the industry. This year's Special Recognition Award is presented to Panther II Transportation.

A Hard To Cover Support Award, based on the number of HTC shipments handled while maintaining high on time performance, is presented to Mach 1 Air Services.