This week marks 28 years since Becker Logistics first opened its doors in 1997. Nearly three decades later, we’re still doing what we set out to do, provide excellent logistics service. But how we do it, who we are as a company, and the world we operate in have all evolved in big ways.
From a team of one with big ideas in the Chicago suburbs to a nationally recognized 3PL known for service, innovation, and people-first culture, we’re proud of how far we’ve come.
A Message from Our CEO
“Being in business for 28 years is something I’m extremely proud of,” said Jim Becker, CEO and Founder of Becker Logistics. “During this time, there have been monumental changes in how the logistics industry works and equally big shifts in how we run Becker Logistics. Even how I operate as a leader has evolved. But through all of that, our mission has stayed the same: deliver exceptional service and never stop improving.”
From Then to Now: A Business Shaped by Change
When we started in 1997, logistics was a very different industry. Communication happened by phone and fax, data was hard to come by, and customer expectations were more limited simply because fewer tools existed to make things better.
Fast forward to today, and we’re in a completely different world. Real-time tracking, EDI integration, automation, and performance dashboards are all part of the daily workflow. And not just for us, but for our customers and carriers, too. We’ve always believed in meeting people where they are, and that means using the best tools to provide the best service.
Over time, we have leaned into flexible work models, first with a few remote roles, then eventually building a fully remote-enabled workforce. That move didn’t just allow us to stay adaptable, it allowed us to hire the best people, no matter where they live.
Building a More Intentional Culture
One of the biggest evolutions has been in our company culture. In the early days, culture “just happened.” We hired good people and let the day-to-day build the team dynamic. For a while, that worked. But as we grew, we realized that we needed to put real intention behind our culture to keep it strong.
Now, every week we have a company-wide town hall where we review our core values, celebrations, and the market together. Every employee has regular one-on-one time with their manager, and every manager receives leadership training to help them support their team and build culture from the inside out. This kind of structure has helped us stay aligned while allowing our teams the flexibility they need to do great work.
Celebrating 28 Years and What’s Next
While our official anniversary was on May 16, we’re planning to celebrate with our team at our HQ next month. It’s a time to look back at what we’ve built, appreciate the people who made it possible, and look ahead to what’s next.
There’s still plenty of room to grow. New industries, new services, and new technology are always on the horizon. But the core of what we do, taking care of people, solving problems, and delivering great logistics, will always stay the same.
To our employees, partners, shippers, and carriers: thank you. Whether you’ve been with us since the early days or just joined the Becker Logistics story, we’re glad you’re part of it.
Here’s to 28 years and many more to come.
