What C.H. Robinson does

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is a publicly traded third-party logistics provider (NASDAQ: CHRW) founded in 1905 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The company operates the largest freight brokerage network in North America, connecting 450,000+ contract carriers with 75,000 customers and managing 37 million annual shipments across truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, ocean, air, and rail modes, plus $22 billion in freight under management through its Managed Solutions division. Service lines span 3PL and 4PL managed transportation, customs brokerage, cross-border logistics, warehousing (5+ million sq ft), temperature-controlled shipping, and carrier financial services (fuel cards, factoring, LoadPay). Named enterprise customers include Microsoft, Walmart, Target, IPC/Subway, Molson Coors, Logitech, and Henry Schein across verticals including retail, technology, automotive, food and beverage, healthcare, and energy.

The company's core technology stack centers on its proprietary Navisphere transportation management system and the Lean AI operating system, which combines advanced AI, logistics expertise, and a Lean operating model. Lean AI orchestrates 30+ specialized AI agents that autonomously handle quoting in 32 seconds, order processing in 90 seconds, and 92% of global 4PL shipments across all transportation modes. The Lean AI Engineer, launched in June 2026, forms a closed-loop system with the Lean AI Planner by continuously assessing and improving supply chains using 100+ trillion proprietary logistics data points accumulated across decades of operations. Additional technology offerings include the BidBoardX digital freight marketplace, Freightquote self-serve platform for SMBs, and developer APIs for carrier and shipper integration.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction fees on freight brokerage (margin on carrier rates), managed services fees on multi-year enterprise contracts, and recurring technology subscriptions through Navisphere. Distribution occurs through enterprise field sales for large shippers, inside sales for mid-market, self-serve digital for SMBs, and digital marketplaces for carriers. The workforce has declined 31% from a 2022 peak of 17,399 to 11,705 by Q1 2026, reflecting AI and automation-led organizational transformation that has driven 12 consecutive quarters of market share gains and expanded operating margins in the North American Surface Transportation segment to 36.4% in Q1 2026.

Name

C.H. Robinson

Legal name

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

Website

https://chrobinson.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

C.H. Robinson is the largest North American freight broker, connecting 450,000+ carriers with 75,000 customers to manage 37 million annual shipments across all transportation modes. It generates revenue through brokerage transaction fees, multi-year managed transportation contracts, and technology subscriptions via its Navisphere TMS and Lean AI operating system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics & Freight Brokerage

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Managed Transportation Services (MTS) / Outsourced TMS Operations (TLAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Truckload (TL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAB), Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL), Contract & Tariff Management (Carrier Contracts, Accessorials, Lane/Zone Rates) (TLAEAIAB)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Freight brokerage services
• Supply chain management
• Transportation management
• Global freight forwarding

Headquarters

HQ city

Eden Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Freight Brokerage Services: Core revenue from arranging transportation for shippers using the company's network of 450,000+ contract carriers across truckload, LTL, ocean, air, and intermodal. The company acts as an intermediary, adding margin on carrier rates.
2. Managed Solutions (3PL/4PL): Managed transportation and logistics orchestration services where the company manages supply chain operations on behalf of customers, including TMS technology, 3PL transportation management, and 4PL services. Customers include Microsoft, IPC/Subway, and others with complex supply chain needs.
3. Global Forwarding: International freight forwarding services including ocean freight (as one of the largest NVOCCs globally), air freight, and customs brokerage with 800+ cross-border specialists and 100+ licensed customs brokers.
4. Carrier Financial Services: Revenue from carrier-focused financial services including fuel cards, factoring, quick pay, and cash advances offered to the carrier network.
5. Technology/SaaS: Technology platform access including Navisphere TMS, Freightquote by C.H. Robinson for small business, and API connectivity services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

C.H. Robinson is a global third-party logistics provider that arranges and manages freight transportation across truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), ocean, air, intermodal, and rail modes using a network of 450,000+ contract carriers. The company delivers managed transportation (3PL/4PL), customs brokerage, cross-border logistics, warehousing, and specialized services such as temperature-controlled shipping, supported by its proprietary Navisphere transportation management system (TMS) and Lean AI operating system.

Product overview

C.H. Robinson is a global third-party logistics (3PL) provider operating a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on its proprietary Navisphere TMS and Lean AI operating system. The core platform combines transportation management, AI-powered orchestration, and carrier connectivity, supported by specialized modules including Lean AI Planner (autonomous execution), Lean AI Engineer (continuous improvement), BidBoardX (digital freight marketplace), and Freightquote (SMB quoting). Service offerings span 3PL managed transportation, 4PL solutions, customs brokerage, temperature-controlled shipping, ocean/air freight, cross-border logistics, and warehousing. The company connects 450,000 contract carriers with 75,000 customers, managing 37 million annual shipments. Key divisions include Robinson Fresh (produce/cold-chain), TMC Managed Solutions (4PL), and the DeSpir Logistics acquisition (high-value secure freight).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Robinson Fresh: Division specializing in fresh produce logistics and cross-border cold-chain solutions for imports from Mexico and other markets.
• Freightquote by C.H. Robinson
• Navisphere
• TMC Managed Solutions
• BidBoardX
• Lean AI
• Drop Trailer Plus

Products and services

• Lean AI Proprietary AI operating system combining AI agents, logistics expertise, and a Lean operating model. Powers autonomous orchestration across quoting, procurement, routing, invoicing, and reporting for shippers.
• Lean AI Planner AI module that runs end-to-end logistics operations, handling execution of shipments autonomously across trucking, ocean, air, and rail, including carrier selection, routing, and exception management.
• Lean AI Engineer AI technology that continuously assesses, improves, and operates global supply chains for 4PL Managed Solutions customers. Combines with Lean AI Planner to form a closed-loop AI system.
• Navisphere Global transportation management system (TMS) providing real-time visibility, predictive insights, and control across the entire supply chain for shippers.
• BidBoardX Digital freight marketplace connecting certified carriers with longer-term committed freight opportunities from shippers; supports search, bidding, and tracking via an online interface.
• Freightquote by C.H. Robinson Instant online quote and booking platform for small and mid-sized businesses shipping LTL and truckload freight across the U.S. and Canada.
• Managed Solutions Configurable managed transportation and supply chain orchestration services combining TMS technology, 3PL execution, and 4PL services with Lean AI-powered optimization.
• 3PL Services Third-party logistics managed transportation services providing freight brokerage across truckload, LTL, ocean, air, and intermodal modes.
• 4PL Solutions Fourth-party logistics services orchestrating end-to-end operations across service providers with strategic supply chain management and continuous optimization.
• Customs Brokerage Global customs clearance services with 800+ cross-border specialists and 100+ licensed customs brokers across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Oceania.
• Ocean Freight Services Full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) ocean freight forwarding operated as one of the world's largest NVOCCs.
• Air Freight Services Air cargo options including standard, premium, priority, and charter services across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• Temperature Controlled Shipping Climate-controlled shipping for temperature-sensitive freight including refrigerated truckload, LTL, and air options through 21,000+ temperature-controlled contract carriers.
• Cross-Border Logistics North America cross-border logistics for U.S., Mexico, and Canada including 140,000+ carriers, CTPAT/OEA compliant services, and 2 million+ sq ft of border warehouse space.
• Warehousing Refrigerated, frozen, and dry warehousing with 5+ million sq ft of space offering crossdock, pick and pack, and consolidation services.
• Drop Trailer Plus Asset-based drop trailer solutions operating as the 4th largest for-hire drop trailer provider in North America with 10,000+ trailers in daily circulation.
• LoadPay Digital banking and payment platform for carriers providing cash advances, quick pay, and fuel card services.
• Robinson Fresh Specialized division for fresh produce logistics and cross-border cold-chain services, operating a 142,600 sq ft Pharr, Texas facility near the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.
• TMC Managed Solutions 4PL division providing managed solutions for complex global supply chains featuring digital twin network modeling and integrated Lean AI capabilities.
• Item-level Solutions Supply chain visibility and optimization at the individual SKU level including PO management, supply chain design, and inventory optimization delivering 10–30% logistics cost savings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17% load reduction with over $1 million in annual savings for one customer
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• WalmartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026C.H. Robinson is one of three official third-party logistics providers (alongside Hub Group and RJW Logistics) for Walmart's new Prepaid Consolidation Program. The program allows suppliers to ship products under one national purchase order to a single consolidation center, simplifying inbound supplier logistics across Walmart's 42 regional distribution centers.

Scale indicators47 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RXO: RXO is a direct competitor in North American truckload brokerage following the spin-off from XPO Logistics. Both companies compete head-to-head for shipper freight in the spot and contract markets and operate similarly asset-light brokerage models.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: J.B. Hunt operates a sizable Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) brokerage segment alongside its asset-based trucking, directly competing with C.H. Robinson in truckload freight arrangement. Both serve enterprise shippers with multi-modal solutions.
• Knight-Swift Transportation: Knight-Swift operates a substantial logistics segment (formerly Knight Logistics) offering brokerage and freight arrangement services that directly compete with C.H. Robinson's North American Surface Transportation business.
• Schneider National: Schneider operates one of the largest truckload brokerage operations in North America alongside its asset-based truckload, intermodal, and logistics services, making it a directly comparable multi-modal competitor to C.H. Robinson.
• Landstar System: Landstar is a non-asset truckload broker and freight forwarder operating a similar asset-light agent-based model, directly competing with C.H. Robinson for shipper freight in North America.

Emerging players

• Uber Freight: Uber Freight is a digital-native freight brokerage that competes directly with C.H. Robinson on technology-driven shipper-carrier matching, particularly with mid-market shippers. It represents the emerging digital brokerage model that could compress C.H. Robinson's traditional margins.

Broad incumbents

• Kuehne+Nagel: Kuehne+Nagel is one of the world's largest global freight forwarders with significant ocean, air, and overland freight forwarding operations. It directly overlaps with C.H. Robinson's Global Forwarding division for international shipper customers.
• DSV: DSV is a major global freight forwarder and 3PL provider following its Schenker acquisition, competing with C.H. Robinson across air, ocean, and road freight forwarding as well as contract logistics services.
• FedEx Logistics: FedEx Logistics (including its Coyote Logistics subsidiary) is a broad incumbent in 3PL and freight forwarding, competing with C.H. Robinson in truckload brokerage, ocean/air forwarding, and supply chain management.
• Expeditors International: Expeditors is a global logistics provider focused on air and ocean freight forwarding with asset-light operations, competing with C.H. Robinson's Global Forwarding segment for international shipper customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c-h-robinson
• Xx.com/chrobinsoninc
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHRobinsonInc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A25 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about C.H. Robinson