By Steve Pollock

CRANBERRY TWP., PA....Even in a slow economy, people still have to eat.  This has always been something of a silver bullet for refrigerated carriers during economic down turns.  But for Great Lakes Cold Logistics, being a unique refrigerated carrier, it has actually enabled the company to continue steady, controlled growth during the current recession.

Great Lakes Cold Storage was founded by Pat Gorbett in 1999.  It was located in Solon, OH.  Gorbett purchased another facility in 1999, which is located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.  During that time, markets were changing.  With "just in time" deliveries, smaller orders and shorter lead time, keeping warehouses full became more difficult.  Gorbett decided to become involved in the Supply Chain Management side of the business and in 2004 established Great Lakes Cold Logistics based in Warrendale, PA, about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh.  Howard A. Schillinger was appointed Executive Vice President to establish and grow the company.  For the first year Great Lakes brokered all of their freight and in 2005 began building their own fleet of trucks.

Great Lakes Cold Logistics is not your typical refrigerated carrier.  They are an asset based logistics provider. GLCL brings freight into their Cold Storage warehouses, where the freight is redistributed Nation Wide using company-operated equipment.  Two years ago, Great Lakes Cold Logistics was added to Walmart's list of authorized consolidation program providers.

With additional partnerships at other Cold Storage facilities, large grocery warehouses and new customers coming on board, GLCL has opportunities available for company drivers.  Their trailers are mostly reloaded with in-bound freight to GLCL or partnering Cold Storage facilities.  Once in the system, drivers are kept loaded and moving.  GLCL will get you home every week or you can keep running if you like.  Drivers can usually trip plan a full week in advance on their loads.  GLCL can provide reefer training for new drivers and pays for experienced veteran drivers.  The company has late model Freightliner and International tractors, pulling nearly new Utility refrigerated trailers.  The trailers are equipped with Carrier reefer units, most of which have noise-reduction packages. 

GLCL drivers must have freight management skills when loading & unloading, but the company does, however, provide training.  To earn extra money, GLCL will pay a driver to unload the trailer.  They pay the same rate for all miles driven, and they offer great earning potential for drivers as well as providing a benefit package that is above industry standard.  Great Lakes Cold Logistics' drivers are averaging about $50,000 per year with some drivers earning as much as $65,000 to $75,000 annually.  As a partnership oriented company, Great Lakes Cold Logistics stresses that the drivers are not just "a driver."  They are also an integral part of the GLCL team and help provide unique, individualized logistic service to GLCS's customers. 

Positions are available for drivers living in or near Akron/Canton, Baltimore, Cleveland, Northern WV, Pittsburgh and Steubenville.  Drivers from other states are also encouraged to call as GLCL's program is growing.  If you need more information, please call 888-817-7017, ext. 34.

Great Lakes Cold Logistics Executive Vice President Howard Schillinger sums up the company's mission statement:  “"From the start, our goal and commitment has been to providing our customers with the highest quality transportation services available.  For us, it's all about paying close attention to our customers every day and adding value to our services."