Mode Transportation

What Mode Transportation does

Mode Transportation, LLC is a privately held, non-asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider founded in 1989 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MODE Global, LLC and ranks among the top six transportation and logistics companies in North America. Mode serves customers ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies across food and beverage, industrial, manufacturing, and chemicals verticals, delivering 265,000+ intermodal movements in 2021 and maintaining 200+ offices throughout North America.

Mode's service portfolio spans seven modes: intermodal, truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), air, ocean, parcel, and supply chain solutions. The company connects shippers to a network of 50,000+ active carriers with access to 2,000,000+ pieces of equipment and 250,000+ intermodal containers and trailers. Its proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS) supports 24/7 real-time tracking across all modes, EDI integration with carriers, automated tendering, document generation, and route optimization. MODE VPO, launched in 2023, adds multi-modal network optimization with a carbon calculator. The MODE Parcel product provides multi-carrier parcel software with e-commerce platform synchronization, leveraging FedEx and DHL infrastructure.

Mode earns revenue through transaction-based brokerage fees on freight movements, commission-based income distributed to its freight agent network, and fee-based parcel/TMS services. The freight agent model uses independent business owners operating under the Mode umbrella who access proprietary technology, carrier networks, and back-office support. Pricing is quote-based rather than tier-listed. Mode's certifications include EPA SmartWay Level 1, C-TPAT (air and ocean), FMC Ocean Transportation Intermediary licensing, and an Indirect Air Carrier license, supporting its positioning with enterprise customers such as PepsiCo, Univar Solutions, Blue Bell Ice Cream, and Food Shippers of America.

Name

Mode Transportation

Legal name

MODE Transportation, LLC

Website

https://modetransportation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Mode Transportation is a Dallas-based, non-asset third-party logistics provider founded in 1989, serving SMBs to Fortune 500 companies across North America with intermodal, truckload, LTL, air, ocean, parcel, and supply chain services via a proprietary TMS and a 200+ office, 50,000+ carrier network as a subsidiary of MODE Global.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Brokerage and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation Management Services (TMS-as-a-Service / Managed Transportation) (TLAIANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brokerage/3PL TMS (Freight Brokerage Operations) (TLAEAAAB), Managed Transportation Services (MTS) / Outsourced TMS Operations (TLAIAEAB)

Keywords

• Freight brokerage services
• Third-party logistics
• Intermodal transportation
• Less-than-truckload shipping
• Transportation management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Freight Brokerage Services: MODE acts as a non-asset based third-party logistics provider, arranging transportation services for shippers and earning transaction fees or commissions on freight movements across intermodal, truckload, LTL, air, ocean, and parcel modes.
2. Freight Agent Commissions: Independent freight agents earn commission-based income by connecting customers with carriers, with MODE providing technology, support, and back-office services.
3. Parcel and TMS Services: Fee-based parcel shipping platform services including multi-carrier parcel software, analytics, e-commerce integration, and consulting services for cost optimization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mode Transportation is a non-asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) provider that arranges freight transportation across multiple modes — intermodal, truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), air, ocean, parcel, and supply chain solutions — on behalf of shippers. The company leverages a proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS), a network of 50,000+ active carriers, 2,000,000+ pieces of equipment, and 200+ offices throughout North America to source capacity, execute shipments, and provide real-time visibility across all modes.

Product overview

MODE Transportation is a non-asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) company and subsidiary of MODE Global, offering a comprehensive suite of transportation and logistics services. The core offering includes seven primary service modules: Intermodal, Truckload, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Parcel, and Supply Chain solutions. These services are underpinned by MODE's proprietary Transportation Management System (TMS), a platform providing full shipment execution, real-time tracking across all modes, and carrier management capabilities. MODE Parcel provides specialized multi-carrier parcel software with e-commerce synchronization for B2B and e-commerce shipping. MODE VPO (Value Performance Optimization) is an add-on network optimization tool featuring a carbon calculator for sustainability initiatives. With over 200 offices across North America, access to over 50,000 carriers, and 2,000,000+ pieces of equipment, the company delivers freight management services as one of North America's largest 3PL providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MODE Transportation Services Non-asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) services providing transportation and freight management across multiple shipping modes including intermodal, truckload, LTL, air, ocean, parcel, and supply chain solutions, for small businesses through Fortune 500 enterprises.
• Intermodal Transportation

Quantifiable outcome

• 265,000+ intermodal movements in 2021
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (SmartWay)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMODE is an EPA Certified SmartWay Logistics Company Partner with the highest rating of 1.25. SmartWay Transport Partnership demonstrates MODE's commitment to measuring, benchmarking and tracking efforts to increase efficiency and fuel economy for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
• HighwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationMODE has partnered with Highway to deliver a fast, secure and hassle-free carrier onboarding process. Highway's intuitive and easy-to-use platform streamlines carrier registration and qualification.
• FedExcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMODE leverages FedEx's infrastructure for parcel shipping services, ensuring seamless process for ground, express, and mail services for B2B and e-commerce customers.
• DHLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMODE leverages DHL's infrastructure for international parcel shipping services, providing global reach for import and export shipments.
• All Major North American RailroadscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMODE has access to all major North American railroads for intermodal transportation, including BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, and Norfolk Southern, enabling comprehensive rail-based shipping solutions.
• IANA (Intermodal Association of North America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing credibility, networking opportunities, and industry standards compliance.
• CSCMP (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association membership for supply chain management professionals, providing industry thought leadership and networking.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir transport association membership supporting MODE's air freight forwarding capabilities and compliance with international air transport standards.
• TIA (Transportation Intermediaries Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association membership for transportation intermediaries providing advocacy and industry standards.
• TMSA (Transportation Marketing & Sales Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association membership supporting MODE's marketing and sales efforts in the transportation industry.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Schneider National: Diversified asset-based carrier with a sizable brokerage and intermodal arm that overlaps Mode's truckload and intermodal offerings as a broader logistics incumbent.
• Knight-Swift Transportation: Largest US truckload carrier with growing logistics (brokerage) segment that competes with Mode for shipper freight and carrier capacity across multiple modes.
• ArcBest: Asset-based LTL carrier (ABF Freight) with an asset-light logistics segment offering truckload brokerage, intermodal, and managed transportation — overlapping Mode's LTL and multi-modal offerings.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: Large, diversified carrier whose Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) brokerage segment competes with Mode in non-asset truckload and intermodal, alongside owned-asset businesses.

Direct peers

• Echo Global Logistics: Technology-driven non-asset 3PL providing truckload, LTL, intermodal, and managed transportation — closely overlapping Mode's multi-modal brokerage offering before its take-private.
• Hub Group: Asset-light intermodal and logistics services provider combining rail-based intermodal with truck brokerage and dedicated — directly comparable to Mode's intermodal-heavy service mix.
• Landstar System: Non-asset transportation services company using an agent-based owner-operator model — structurally analogous to Mode's independent freight agent distribution approach.
• RXO (XPO Logistics spin-off): Tech-enabled North American truckload brokerage and managed transportation spin-off of XPO, directly competing with Mode in non-asset brokerage and last-mile/freight services.
• C.H. Robinson Worldwide: Largest non-asset North American 3PL offering truckload, LTL, intermodal, ocean, and air forwarding through a global office and agent network — the same multi-modal brokerage model Mode operates.
• Coyote Logistics (UPS subsidiary): Asset-light freight brokerage owned by UPS offering truckload, LTL, and intermodal across North America — a direct competitor in Mode's core non-asset 3PL category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/modetrans
• Facebookfacebook.com/ModeTrans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/279457
• Instagraminstagram.com/mode_transportation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Mode Transportation