What Knichel Logistics does

Knichel Logistics is a privately held, family-owned third-party logistics (3PL) and freight broker founded in April 2003 by William Knichel and headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh market). The company is now led by Kristy Knichel, a second-generation logistics executive who assumed the presidency in 2007 and is WBENC-Certified as a Women's Business Enterprise and Woman-Owned Small Business. The company's product surface is organized around three transportation modes: Intermodal (rail-and-truck services leveraging all Class 1 railroads for lanes generally over 1,000 miles, with average length of haul just under 2,000 miles), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) provided through a BlueGrace Logistics franchise, and Full Truckload (FTL), supplemented by temperature-controlled shipping for food products. Operating geographies span North America including the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The underlying technology stack integrates multiple third-party transportation management systems rather than proprietary infrastructure: McLeod Software serves as the core TMS with a customer portal offering real-time tracking, customizable dashboards, and Excel data export; the Tai TMS is dedicated to the LTL book and provides customer-specific pricing; BlueShip is delivered through the BlueGrace franchise; and MacroPoint supplies driver-side mobile tracking. Carrier onboarding is gated by Highway's identity management platform, which enforces two-factor authentication plus a multi-step vetting process (DOT/MC validation, $1 million BIPD minimum cargo coverage, $100,000 cargo coverage, safety rating verification, and 180-day continuous authority). Payments flow through TriumphPay. There are no proprietary patents, in-house AI/ML models, or disclosed APIs.

Knichel monetizes through transaction-based freight brokerage fees on intermodal, LTL, and FTL shipments, with pricing quoted per shipment based on freight class, weight, distance, and service requirements (no published tiers). The go-to-market combines an enterprise field-sales motion with dedicated account managers, an inside-sales motion handling website and phone rate requests, and the BlueGrace franchise channel for smaller shippers. Customer segments span mid-market and enterprise shippers in manufacturing, packaging, food, and distribution, alongside motor carriers as a supply-side counterpart. Reported revenue was $83 million as of 2019, the most recently disclosed financial figure, with no subsequent quantitative growth data available. The company remains privately held and family-controlled, with no parent, PE/VC sponsor, or public-market presence.

Name

Knichel Logistics

Legal name

Knichel Logistics

Website

https://knichellogistics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Knichel Logistics is a privately held, woman-owned third-party logistics provider founded in 2003 and headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, offering intermodal, LTL, and FTL freight brokerage services to mid-market and enterprise shippers across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Brokerage and Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload (484121)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Freight Brokerage (Truckload/LTL/Intermodal) (TLAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAC), Freight Brokerage (Truckload/LTL/Intermodal) (TLAIAEAC)

Keywords

• Freight brokerage
• Intermodal transportation
• Less than truckload
• Full truckload shipping
• Third-party logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Gibsonia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 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 / Transaction Fees: Knichel Logistics acts as a freight broker/3PL provider, earning transaction fees for arranging transportation of freight between shippers and carriers. They provide intermodal, LTL, and FTL services.
2. Professional Logistics Services: Providing logistics expertise, compliance support, freight classing, carrier selection, and consultation services as part of their 3PL offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Knichel Logistics is a family-owned third-party logistics (3PL) and freight broker that arranges transportation of goods between shippers and motor carriers across North America. The company organizes its services around three core transportation modes — Intermodal (rail-and-truck combined), Less Than Truckload (LTL), and Full Truckload (FTL) — and supplements them with compliance, carrier vetting, freight classing, and shipment tracking services. LTL operations are delivered through a BlueGrace Logistics franchise, while intermodal leverages partnerships with all Class 1 railroads for long-haul lanes over 1,000 miles.

Product overview

Knichel Logistics is a family-owned third-party logistics (3PL) and freight broker company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Cranberry Township, PA. The company operates a multi-service logistics platform organized around three core transportation modes — Intermodal, Less Than Truckload (LTL), and Full Truckload (FTL) — supplemented by value-added technology tools for carrier vetting, shipment visibility, and customer self-service. The Intermodal service is the company's flagship offering, supported by over 20 years of rail-truck expertise. LTL operations are enabled through a BlueGrace Logistics franchise partnership, leveraging the BlueShip and Tai transportation management systems for customer-facing quote, booking, tracking, and reporting capabilities. FTL/over-the-road services cover full truckload and expedite needs. Internally, Knichel uses McLeod Software as its core TMS for carrier integration (ELD/GPS), real-time visibility, and customer portal access, and employs Highway's carrier identity management platform for two-factor authentication and safety vetting of all carriers before onboarding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Intermodal Transportation Rail-and-truck combined transportation service leveraging Class I railroads for long-haul segments with drayage pickup and delivery at origin and destination rail terminals. Knichel focuses on lanes over 1,000 miles where rail pricing is most competitive, offering 10-25% cost savings versus motor carrier pricing for long hauls, with an average length of haul just under 2,000 miles per shipment.
• Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipping Small-load trucking service for shipments under 15 pallets, under 20,000 pounds, and not exceeding 28 linear feet. Provided through the BlueGrace Logistics franchise with access to the BlueShip cloud-based TMS for quotes, booking, tracking, reporting, and consolidated billing, and the Tai TMS for self-service portal access and customer-specific pricing.
• Full Truckload (FTL) Shipping Over-the-road trucking service for full truckload shipments, including dedicated capacity solutions and expedited options for time-sensitive freight.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-25% cost savings on intermodal vs motor carrier pricing for long hauls exceeding 1,000 miles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HighwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationHighway is a carrier identity management system used by Knichel for two-factor authentication and vetting carriers before onboarding. Provides real-time data on identity alerts, proof of insurance, inspections, equipment filters, safety metrics, and crash history. Knichel requires all carriers to pass the Highway vetting process before registration in their TMS.
• McLeod SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud-based transportation management system (TMS) enabling seamless integration, improved time performance, efficient customer service, complete carrier integration via ELD and GPS, and real-time visibility on shipments.
• Tai Transportation Management SystemcoreTechnology or IntegrationLTL-focused TMS built for optimal broker and carrier experience. Features include enhanced self-service portal, tracking visibility, upgraded reporting and metrics, clearer invoicing, improved documentation handling, and increased carrier options.
• BlueGrace LogisticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKnichel's LTL division is a BlueGrace Logistics franchise, providing access to BlueShip technology platform, cutting-edge TMS, and highly competitive rates through their franchise network.
• Penske LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnichel was named Penske Logistics 2024 Intermodal Carrier of the Year. Award qualifications included Penske enterprise scorecard combined with customer, operations, and sourcing feedback.
• Class 1 RailroadscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnichel has partnerships with all Class 1 railroads, enabling intermodal services across North America including Canada and Mexico.
• Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnichel is active in TIA, with Kristy Knichel serving as Intermodal Logistics Conference Chair on the TIA Board of Directors. Company lobbies with TIA supporting legislation (H.R. 8505) to strengthen FMCSA fraud combat efforts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Landstar System: Asset-light freight transportation services provider using a BCO/agent network. Competes in truckload and intermodal brokerage with a different operating model but overlapping customer segments.
• Hub Group: Large intermodal and logistics services provider with owned container fleet and brokerage operations. A more asset-heavy competitor in the same intermodal space Knichel serves.
• Schneider National: Public truckload and intermodal carrier with a significant brokerage segment. Overlaps with Knichel in intermodal and FTL brokerage for enterprise shippers.
• RXO: Public, large-scale non-asset freight brokerage spun out of XPO. Competes with Knichel across truckload brokerage, last-mile, and managed transport, but at materially larger scale and with a national office footprint Knichel lacks.
• Coyote Logistics: UPS-owned full-truckload and intermodal brokerage with digital quoting tools. Direct competitor for Knichel's intermodal and FTL book of business, but with significantly greater scale, technology investment, and shipper diversity.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: One of the largest North American intermodal providers with direct Class 1 partnerships. Competes directly with Knichel's flagship intermodal service while also offering brokerage, dedicated, and final-mile.

Direct peers

• Worldwide Express: Non-asset LTL and parcel broker with a national sales force and franchise/reseller channel. Comparable mid-market focus, LTL concentration, and use of partner TMS technology.
• Echo Global Logistics: Non-asset 3PL offering truckload, LTL, and intermodal brokerage with a technology-led platform. Closely matches Knichel's multi-modal brokerage model and mid-to-enterprise shipper orientation.
• BlueGrace Logistics: National non-asset freight broker and LTL franchise platform that Knichel's LTL division is itself franchised through. Highly direct comparable — same LTL brokerage model, same BlueShip TMS platform, and overlapping mid-market customer base.

Emerging players

• Mode Global: Digital intermodal and trucking platform serving mid-market shippers. Emerging tech-led competitor in the same intermodal lane where Knichel has built its franchise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/knichellogistic

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Knichel Logistics