What Evans Transportation Services does

Evans Transportation Services is a privately held, asset-less third-party logistics (3PL) provider founded in 1985 by Marty Johnson and Charlie Keepman and headquartered in Delafield, Wisconsin, with satellite offices in Minneapolis, Chattanooga, Santa Rosa Beach, Atlanta, and Laredo. The company delivers customized, end-to-end transportation management across less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), parcel optimization, specialty modes (expedite, heavy/overdimensional, intermodal, international, air, ISO tanks), data center logistics, government logistics, warehouse solutions, and project logistics, serving enterprise and mid-market shippers across North America with a cross-border expansion into Mexico launched in 2024.

The technology stack centers on a proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS), a Proprietary LTL Portal, Dynamic Interactive Reporting Dashboards, an Evans Integration Hub (API, EDI, and Flat File integration portal), an Evans Global Rating Engine for multi-mode simultaneous carrier selection, and a Freight Pay & Audit Platform — collectively branded as the Evans 2.0 platform launched in 2018. Operationally, Evans runs a 4PL model that blends the customer's incumbent carriers with Evans-selected carriers to minimize disruption and optimize supply chains, combined with deep integrations into enterprise ERPs (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, QAD, Blue Yonder, IBM) and freight ecosystem partners (Truckstop, DAT, project44, SMC3, Descartes, HubTran).

Revenue is generated through managed transportation fees, carrier markups, parcel contract optimization savings-share structures, and project-based logistics engagements, sold primarily via enterprise field sales and inside sales motions. Customers span automotive, chemicals and plastics, energy and oil, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology and electronics, with publicly cited average client retention of 10+ years against an industry average of roughly 18 months. The company is family-held under founder Charlie Keepman (Chairman) and second-generation CEO Ryan Keepman, with no disclosed institutional equity rounds and reported annual revenue surpassing $245M.

Name

Evans Transportation Services

Legal name

Evans Transportation Services, LLC

Website

https://evanstrans.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Evans Transportation Services is an asset-less third-party logistics provider offering customized, end-to-end transportation management across LTL, FTL, parcel, specialty, data center, and government logistics. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Delafield, Wisconsin, it serves enterprise and mid-market shippers across North America, expanding into Mexico in 2024.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation Management & Managed Freight (Dedicated Transport, Brokerage-Managed) (TLAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Transportation Management Services (TMS-as-a-Service / Managed Transportation) (TLAIANAB), Shipment Visibility, Track & Trace & Exception Management (Managed) (TLAIANAH)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Transportation management
• Freight brokerage services
• Less-than-truckload shipping
• Parcel optimization

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookfield

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. Transportation Management Services: Full-service 3PL providing end-to-end transportation management solutions. Services include LTL, FTL, parcel optimization, specialty solutions (intermodal, air, international, heavy/overdimensional, expedite), project logistics, data center logistics, government logistics, and warehouse solutions. Revenue generated through managed transportation fees, carrier markups, and consulting services.
2. Parcel Optimization Services: Cost reduction services through contract optimization, audit and recovery, and business intelligence for parcel shipping. Performance-based fee structures with savings sharing model.
3. Data Center Logistics: Specialized project-based logistics services for data center migrations and builds, including planning, equipment packaging, specialized transportation, and project management.
4. Government Logistics Services: Mission-ready logistics management for government projects at federal, state and local levels with compliance-focused solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Evans Transportation Services is an asset-less third-party logistics (3PL) provider that delivers end-to-end managed transportation services across LTL, Full Truckload, Parcel, Specialty, Project, Data Center, Government, and Warehouse logistics for mid-market and enterprise shippers in North America. Services are sold directly via dedicated account management teams using a 'Request a Quote' model, and are underpinned by a proprietary in-house technology stack including a Transportation Management System, LTL Portal, Global Rating Engine, Integration Hub, and Freight Pay & Audit Platform. The company operates a proprietary 4PL model blending incumbent carriers with Evans-select carriers to optimize customer supply chains without disrupting existing carrier relationships.

Product overview

Evans Transportation Services is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering a unified portfolio of transportation management solutions built around a proprietary technology platform. The core offering centers on its Transportation Management System (TMS), Proprietary LTL Portal, and Dynamic Reporting dashboards, complemented by a broad suite of service offerings including LTL Management, Full Truckload (FTL) Management, Parcel Optimization, Specialty Solutions (Expedite, Heavy/Overdimensional, Intermodal, International, Air, ISO Tanks), Data Center Logistics, Government Logistics, Warehouse Solutions, and Project Logistics. The Evans 2.0 platform underpins the technology stack, comprising the Evans Integration Hub (ERP integration portal), Evans Global Rating Engine (multi-mode simultaneous carrier rating), and Freight Pay & Audit Platform. The company operates as an asset-less, privately held 3PL leveraging exclusive carrier contracts and best-in-class configurable technology since 1985.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transportation Management Custom, data-based, end-to-end transportation management covering inbound and outbound shipping programs for enterprise and mid-market shippers, leveraging a 4PL model that blends incumbent carriers with Evans-selected carriers.
• Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Management LTL freight management including carrier selection, rate optimization, hub-and-spoke consolidation, and special services such as liftgate, residential delivery, and freeze protection.
• Full Truckload (FTL) Management FTL shipping management leveraging a diverse network of stringently qualified national carriers, access to all equipment types, and competitive rate negotiation for large or sensitive freight loads.
• Parcel Optimization Parcel contract optimization program that analyzes current contracts and shipping profiles to realize savings of 20% or more, including audit, recovery, and business intelligence services on a performance-based fee with savings sharing.
• Specialty Solutions (Expedite, Heavy/Overdimensional, Intermodal, International, Air, ISO Tanks) Specialized freight solutions for time-sensitive expedite shipments, oversized heavy/overdimensional cargo, truck-rail intermodal combinations, cross-border international, air freight, and ISO tank chassis with drayage power.
• Data Center Logistics End-to-end data center build and migration solutions including project planning, equipment packaging, specialized transportation, on-site logistics support, warehouse storage, PO management, and collaborative KPI reporting.
• Government Logistics Mission-ready logistics management for government projects at federal, state, and local levels, featuring coast-to-coast vetted carrier networks, 24/7 management, and compliance with government regulations. SCAC code: EVTW.
• Warehouse Solutions End-to-end warehouse operations including inside and outdoor storage, cross-docking and transloading, pick/pack, order fulfillment, light assembly kitting, inventory management, custom crating, export packaging, rigging services, and heavy haul coordination.
• Project Logistics Complex project cargo solutions including over-dimensional rail transportation, heavy haul, barge transportation, crane and rigging, engineered transport drawings, and on-site project management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-7% reduction in annual transportation spend
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration24 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.

• University of Wisconsin AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) partnership program with Wisconsin Badgers student-athletes. Partners include football safety Hunter Wohler, softball players Emily Bojan, Rylie Crane, Shelby Jacobson, and Molly Schlosser. CEO Ryan Keepman, a former D1 athlete, leads the initiative.
• Kevin Kisner PGAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Sponsorship deal with professional golfer Kevin Kisner signed in January 2022. Described as a 'best-in-class' marriage of brand personalities based on real, genuine, and giving back values.
• TruckstopcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership providing carrier load matching and freight marketplace capabilities. Evans integrates with Truckstop for carrier sourcing and load board access.
• DATcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with DAT for rate benchmarking, lane analytics, and carrier market data. Supports Evans' pricing and carrier selection processes.
• DescartescoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Descartes for customs management, trade compliance, and global logistics technology solutions supporting international shipping.
• HubtrancoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for freight payment and audit automation. Hubtran's platform supports Evans' billing and payment processes.
• Project44coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with project44 for real-time visibility and shipment tracking across carriers and modes.
• SMC3coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with SMC3 for LTL pricing data, rate shopping, and transit time solutions.
• MicrosoftstrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnerships for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 ERP systems.
• SAPstrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration capabilities for SAP ERP systems enabling seamless data exchange with SAP customers.
• OraclestrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne for ERP connectivity.
• EpicorstrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership for Epicor ERP systems supporting manufacturing and distribution customers.
• QADstrategicTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with QAD ERP and MFGPRO systems for manufacturing customers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coyote Logistics:
• RXO: Public, asset-light freight brokerage spun off from XPO, providing truckload, less-than-truckload, and managed transportation with proprietary technology — a direct competitor in the same North American managed-transportation and brokerage segment Evans serves.
• Transportation Insight: Mid-market managed transportation provider and freight audit/pay specialist acquired by J.B. Hunt; multiple Evans leaders (CRO, CSO, SVP Parcel) came from Transportation Insight, making it both a talent feeder and a close competitor in managed transportation and parcel optimization.
• Echo Global Logistics: Asset-light 3PL providing truckload, LTL, intermodal, and managed transportation services backed by proprietary technology; directly comparable in customer base (mid-market and enterprise shippers) and asset-less brokerage model.
• Kenco Group: Third-party logistics provider offering managed transportation, dedicated transportation, and warehousing with a focus on industrial and manufacturing customers; Evans' CRO John Conrad joined Evans from Kenco, and the two compete for similar enterprise transportation management mandates.

Broad incumbents

• C.H. Robinson Worldwide: One of the largest non-asset-based 3PLs and freight brokers in North America, offering multimodal managed transportation, TMS technology, and global forwarding — the closest scaled incumbent to Evans' asset-less 3PL model and a frequent employer of Evans' executives.
• Hub Group: Large intermodal and logistics services company offering managed transportation, truckload brokerage, and dedicated services; broader scale than Evans with both asset-based and brokerage offerings across North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/evanstrans1985

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Evans Transportation Services