What Direct Connect Logistix, Inc. does

Direct Connect Logistix, Inc. (DCL) is a non-asset based, multi-modal third-party logistics provider headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, specializing in cold chain and temperature-controlled transportation for food, beverage, and related industries. Founded in 2009 by Greg Humrichouser and John Leininger, the company was acquired by Detroit-based private equity firm Huron Capital in 2018, after which it pursued a buy-and-build strategy acquiring Performance Logistics (Draper, Utah) in February 2022 and Hoosier Logistics (Indianapolis) in April 2022 to expand geographic reach into the Mountain West and add asset-based truckload capabilities. The company operates across multiple transportation modes including full truckload, LTL, intermodal, cross-border (US-Mexico), drayage, power-only/trailer relocation, and vehicle relocation, serving more than 500 enterprise customers and maintaining 4,200+ customer relationships with a network of 40,000+ registered carrier partners.

DCL's technology platform centers on the proprietary Accelerate Pricing Tool for real-time dynamic pricing and a customer-facing portal for load tracking, supplemented by a multi-layered carrier verification system integrated with Highway, Carrier 411, SaferWatch, FMCSA Data, and MacroPoint for identity verification, fraud prevention, and real-time shipment visibility. The company claims AI-powered decision making for route optimization, delivery time estimation, dynamic pricing adjustment, and load matching, with automation tools for booking, invoicing, and tracking. The company handled approximately 140,000 loads in 2025 and has been recognized as a Top 3PL & Cold Storage Provider by Food Logistics in both 2022 and 2023.

DCL's business model is a transaction-fee brokerage model with no public pricing disclosed; pricing is quote-based using dynamic real-time rate quotes. The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales targeting Fortune 500 and mid-market companies with self-service portals for smaller customers and carriers. The company is led by co-founders Humrichouser and Leininger alongside professional management, with key recent hires including CFO Michael Pecchia (formerly VP Finance at Transfix, May 2024) and CHRO Christina Turro (February 2022). Operations span Indianapolis (headquarters, with relocation to the Gibson Building effective April 2026), Draper, Utah (Mountain West hub), and Medellin, Colombia (cross-border support).

Name

Direct Connect Logistix, Inc.

Legal name

Direct Connect Logistix Inc.

Website

http://dclogistix.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Direct Connect Logistix is a non-asset based, multi-modal third-party logistics provider specializing in cold chain transportation for food, beverage, and temperature-sensitive industries, serving more than 4,200 customers across North America through a network of 40,000+ registered carrier partners and proprietary dynamic pricing technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Asset-Based 3PL Services (TLAIAAAN), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) / Groupage Forwarding (TLACACAB), Cross-Border & Trade Compliance Management (Customs, Duty, Documentation) (TLAIABAD)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Freight brokerage
• Cold chain transportation
• Truckload shipping
• Supply chain solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Transportation Brokerage Services: DCL operates as a non-asset based, multi-modal transportation brokerage earning transaction fees for arranging freight movements across truckload, LTL, intermodal, drayage, cross-border, and other transportation modes. The company services customers of all sizes with specific expertise in cold chain shipping for food, beverage, and related markets.
2. Cold Chain Logistics Services: Specialized temperature-controlled transportation solutions for food, beverage, and related industries, representing a key revenue vertical with premium pricing due to specialized handling requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Direct Connect Logistix (DCL) is a non-asset based, multi-modal third-party logistics (3PL) transportation brokerage that arranges freight movements across truckload, LTL, intermodal, drayage, cross-border, power-only, and vehicle relocation services. The company specializes in cold chain shipping for food, beverage, and related markets, serving customers ranging from mid-size businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises across North America. Its offering is supported by proprietary technology including the Accelerate dynamic pricing tool, AI-driven routing and load matching, real-time tracking, and a multi-layered carrier vetting system.

Product overview

Direct Connect Logistix (DCL) is a leading non-asset based, multi-modal third-party logistics company providing technology-enabled transportation solutions. The company operates as a unified logistics platform offering core transportation services (Full Truckload, LTL, Intermodal, Cross-Border, Drayage, Power Only/Trailer Relocation, and Vehicle Relocation) complemented by specialized expertise in Cold Chain and Food and Beverage logistics. The product portfolio is supported by proprietary technology including the Accelerate Pricing Tool for dynamic real-time pricing and a Customer Portal for load tracking. Founded in 2009, DCL serves customers of all sizes with specific expertise in temperature-controlled, time and condition-critical shipping for the food, beverage, and related industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Truckload

Quantifiable outcome

• 140,000 loads handled in 2025 with diversified customer base
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Hoosier LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2022Indianapolis-based freight brokerage founded in 2015 by Rob Likens and Nick Likens, specializing in asset-light, temperature-controlled transportation solutions for food, beverage, and related industries. Acquired by DCL in April 2022. Rob Likens leads asset-based truckload services division while Nick Likens joined DCL's executive management team.
• Performance LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2022Draper, Utah-based 3PL company specializing in temperature-controlled food and beverage transportation services, acquired by DCL in February 2022. Provides Mountain West presence and strengthens refrigerated and frozen food capabilities. Existing management team led by Cameron George joined DCL as Regional Vice President.
• HighwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Highway, a leader in carrier identity verification. At minimum 26 data points are evaluated before a carrier is approved to move a customer order, stopping fraud before it starts. Carriers are also required to sign an Interchange Agreement giving DCL the ability to repower trailers in event of breakdown.
• MacroPointcoreTechnology or IntegrationGives customers real-time tracking updates so they know exactly where their freight is at every stage of the journey.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RXO, Inc. Technology-driven non-asset brokerage spun off from XPO, offering truckload, LTL, and last-mile services. Comparable to DCL on asset-light brokerage model, proprietary technology platform, and focus on digital freight matching.
• Hub Group: Asset-light multimodal freight management provider offering intermodal, truck brokerage, and logistics services. Comparable to DCL on intermodal, brokerage, and managed transportation offerings with similar enterprise and mid-market customer base.
• Landstar System: Asset-light transportation services company using a network of independent agents and owner-operators. Comparable to DCL on non-asset model, flatbed/heavy-haul/refrigerated capabilities, and variable cost structure that scales with freight demand.
• Echo Global Logistics: Non-asset third-party logistics provider offering truckload, LTL, intermodal, and managed transportation across North America. Comparable on multi-modal brokerage, technology platform (EchoConnect), and broad customer base spanning SMB to Fortune 500.
• Coyote Logistics: UPS-owned non-asset third-party brokerage offering truckload, LTL, intermodal, and supply chain services across North America. Directly comparable to DCL on multi-modal brokerage model, technology-enabled operations, and enterprise customer focus.
• ArcBest: Multimodal logistics provider combining asset-based LTL (ABF Freight) with asset-light brokerage (APEX). Comparable to DCL on integrated brokerage offering, multi-modal capabilities, and enterprise customer focus.

Emerging players

• Uber Freight: Digital brokerage and managed transportation platform operated by Uber. Comparable as a technology-native, asset-light freight broker competing for the same mid-market and enterprise shipper RFPs as DCL.
• Transfix: Digital freight marketplace and brokerage combining technology with capacity matching. Comparable as a technology-led brokerage; notably Transfix is where DCL's new CFO Michael Pecchia previously served as VP of Finance.

Broad incumbents

• Schneider National: Large multimodal transportation provider with truckload, intermodal, and logistics segments. Comparable as a broader incumbent that competes in brokerage and logistics while also operating asset-based capacity.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: Large multi-segment transportation and logistics company with a sizable Integrated Capacity Solutions (brokerage) business alongside intermodal and dedicated contract services. Comparable as a larger incumbent competing in DCL's brokerage and intermodal lanes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dc_logistix
• Facebookfacebook.com/direct-connect-logistix-inc-102170429881301
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/direct-connect-logistix-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Direct Connect Logistix, Inc.