R&S Logistics

What R&S Logistics does

R&S Logistics is a privately held, founder-owned third-party logistics (3PL) provider headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, founded in 2001 by David Schmid. The company operates 14+ warehouse facilities totaling more than 2 million square feet across East Tennessee (Knoxville, Lenoir City, Loudon, Morristown) and Savannah, Georgia, positioned at the intersection of I-40, I-75, and I-81 with port access at Savannah to reach approximately 80% of the US population within 1-2 days. Service lines include warehousing, pick-and-pack fulfillment, transportation/asset-based trucking and brokerage, cross-docking, kitting and assembly, plus certified storage for food-grade, nutraceutical, automotive, and chemical products. The technology backbone is a Warehouse Management System with barcode scanning (advertised 99% order accuracy), a real-time customer dashboard, and native integrations with major ecommerce platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon (FBA prep and FBM), BigCommerce, Magento, Walmart, eBay, and Etsy, enabling multi-channel fulfillment from a single inventory pool.

The customer base is bifurcated between B2B manufacturers and distributors (Primient, Royal Metal Powders, ZMC Metal Coating, Hurst Hardwoods, Vine International) and DTC/multi-channel ecommerce brands (60+ served, with ProForce Equipment as the most prominent case study at 13,000+ orders and 534,000+ units shipped since 2022). The company also serves nonprofit clients such as Compassion that Compels. Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring storage/space fees, per-order fulfillment fees, transportation and brokerage fees, and value-added service fees; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is sales-led via a dedicated sales line, inside sales for ecommerce, facility tours, and inbound content marketing (blog, YouTube, Vimeo, social, podcast).

The go-to-market emphasizes a "partnership not vendor" positioning with no long-term lease lock-in, personalized account management, and certified handling capabilities that exclude smaller competitors from regulated vertical RFPs. The company is self-funded (no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors), grew from approximately 120,000 sq ft and 6 employees in 2011 to 14+ locations and 2M+ sq ft today under President & COO Joe Michalik, and has launched a first-of-its-kind 3PL academic class with the University of Tennessee's Global Supply Chain Institute starting Spring 2026 to build a structured supply-chain talent pipeline.

Name

R&S Logistics

Legal name

R&S Logistics

Website

https://rswarehousingsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

R&S Logistics is a privately held 3PL provider operating 14+ warehouses totaling 2M+ sq ft across East Tennessee and Savannah, Georgia, offering warehousing, pick-and-pack fulfillment, transportation, and certified storage for B2B manufacturers and DTC ecommerce brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Services

NAICS

Warehousing and Storage (493), General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Transportation and Warehousing (48-49)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Fulfillment Providers (CRAFAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-commerce Fulfillment & Omnichannel Logistics (Pick/Pack/Returns) (TLAIAAAD), E-commerce & Fulfillment Warehousing (Dedicated/Shared) (TLAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Warehousing services
• Ecommerce fulfillment
• Pick and pack
• Cross-docking

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Warehousing & Storage Services: Flexible warehouse space rental and storage services across 14+ facilities totaling over 2 million square feet. Revenue generated through per-unit storage fees, square footage rental, and handling charges. Key differentiator is no long-term lease lock-in, allowing clients to scale space up or down as needed. Serves industries including food & beverage, nutraceuticals, automotive, chemical, and general merchandise.
2. Pick and Pack / Fulfillment Services: Order fulfillment services including picking, packing, kitting, assembly, and shipping for B2B wholesale and B2C ecommerce channels. Revenue generated per-order or per-unit handling fees. Supports multi-channel fulfillment from a single inventory pool for clients selling on Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, eBay, Etsy, and direct wholesale.
3. Transportation & Logistics Services: Asset-based trucking and freight brokerage services providing domestic transportation, cross-docking, and international freight shipping. Revenue from transportation fees, freight markup, and brokerage commissions. Connects to major interstates (I-40, I-75, I-81) and East Coast ports (Savannah) for multimodal shipping.
4. Value-Added Services: Kitting, assembly, labeling, barcoding, bulk handling, and specialized handling for non-standard freight or hazardous materials. Revenue from per-service fees in addition to base warehousing and fulfillment charges.
5. Dedicated Warehouse Management: For select enterprise clients, R&S operates as a dedicated fulfillment arm providing on-demand labor, space elasticity, and WMS-driven inventory management as a managed service. Revenue model combines fixed base fees with variable per-unit and per-labor-hour charges.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

R&S Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that operates more than 2 million square feet of flexible warehouse space across 14+ facilities in East Tennessee and Savannah, Georgia. The company delivers warehousing and storage, pick and pack fulfillment, cross-docking, kitting and assembly, certified food-grade/nutraceutical/automotive/chemical storage, asset-based trucking, and freight brokerage services, with native ecommerce integrations to Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy, BigCommerce, and Magento.

Product overview

R&S Logistics (also known as R&S Warehousing Solutions) is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider operating a platform of warehousing and fulfillment services. The core offering consists of warehousing storage combined with pick and pack fulfillment, logistics, and cross-docking services across 12+ Southeast U.S. locations. Value-added modules include kitting and assembly, food and beverage warehousing (certified food-grade), nutraceutical and supplement warehousing, automotive warehousing, chemical warehousing, non-standard shipping, international freight shipping, and value-added services like labeling and barcoding. The ecommerce fulfillment services module connects with major platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, BigCommerce, Magento, Walmart, eBay, and Etsy for synchronized order and inventory management. The company operates over 2 million square feet of flexible warehouse space in Tennessee and Georgia, enabling reach to 80% of the U.S. population within 1-2 days.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warehousing Flexible warehouse storage and distribution across 14+ facilities totaling more than 2 million square feet in East Tennessee and Savannah, Georgia, offered without long-term lease lock-in so clients can scale space up or down with demand. Serves industries including food & beverage, nutraceuticals, automotive, chemical, and general merchandise.
• Pick and Pack Fulfillment Order fulfillment service that picks individual items from inventory and packs them for shipment, supporting B2B wholesale and B2C ecommerce channels from a single inventory pool with WMS-driven barcode scanning for a 99% order accuracy rate.
• Logistics Asset-based trucking and freight brokerage services providing domestic transportation, cross-docking, and international freight shipping, with connectivity to major interstates I-40, I-75, and I-81 and East Coast ports such as Savannah.
• Cross-Docking Cross-docking service enabling direct transfer of inbound freight to outbound vehicles with minimal storage time, positioned near the I-40, I-81, and I-75 interstates for efficient East Coast, Midwest, and Southeast distribution.
• Kitting and Assembly Value-added service that combines individual items into ready-to-ship kits or performs custom assembly operations for clients, including bundling, multi-SKU kits, and custom configurations for ecommerce and B2B customers.
• Food and Beverage Warehousing Certified food-grade storage for food and beverage products requiring temperature-appropriate handling, FDA-compliant warehousing, FIFO inventory rotation, and food safety compliance for manufacturers, distributors, and CPG companies.
• Nutraceutical & Supplement Warehousing Certified warehousing for nutraceutical, over-the-counter (OTC) supplement, and pharmaceutical-adjacent products with appropriate handling, labeling, lot number and expiration date tracking, and storage compliance protocols.
• Automotive Warehousing Warehouse storage and logistics services tailored for automotive parts and components manufacturers and distributors, with handling for oversized, bulky, and heavy items that exceed typical 3PL capabilities.
• Chemical Warehousing Certified warehouse storage for chemical products requiring specialized handling, safety protocols, drum/barrel inventory management, and compliance with chemical storage regulations.
• Non-Standard Shipping Shipping services for oversized, bulky, or non-standard shaped items that require special handling, specialized equipment such as forklifts and racking, and transportation solutions beyond standard small-parcel fulfillment.
• International Freight Shipping Multi-modal international shipping and cross-border logistics services including port access for containerized freight, leveraging the Savannah, Georgia warehouse facility located directly across from the Port of Savannah for streamlined import/export operations.
• Value-Added Warehousing Additional services including labeling, barcoding, bulk handling, and custom solutions for non-standard freight or hazardous materials, billed per service in addition to base warehousing and fulfillment charges.
• Ecommerce Fulfillment Services End-to-end ecommerce order fulfillment connecting Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy, BigCommerce, and Magento storefronts with R&S warehouse operations for direct-to-consumer brands, including FBA prep (FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, carton labeling) and FBM order fulfillment from a single inventory pool.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% order accuracy rate maintained through WMS barcode scanning technology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business (Global Supply Chain Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025R&S Logistics partnered with UT's Global Supply Chain Institute to launch one of the first-ever hands-on 3PL university courses (Spring 2026). The 6-week accelerated course combines classroom lectures at UT with on-the-floor warehouse training at R&S's KX1 facility near campus. Students earn forklift licenses and Yellow Belt Six Sigma certification. R&S CEO Joe Michalik, a UT alumnus, initiated the partnership with Associate Professor Don Maier after discussions at the Global Supply Chain Forum. The class includes real customer efficiency projects, guest lectures from R&S leadership (operations, HR, brokerage, customer relations), and facility tours of R&S partner companies (Bush Bean's, DENSO, Cherokee Distributing, Altar'd State, Toyota Tsusho Maryville).
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S integrates with Shopify for ecommerce order fulfillment, enabling automated order flow, real-time inventory sync, and shipment tracking between Shopify storefronts and R&S warehouse operations. Integration supports growing DTC brands using Shopify as their primary sales channel.
• WooCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S integrates with WooCommerce (WordPress ecommerce platform) enabling order fulfillment, inventory updates, and tracking synchronization for WordPress-based online stores. Supports both straightforward and custom WooCommerce setups with varying levels of plugin workflows and bundle configurations.
• AmazoncoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S supports Amazon Seller Central integration including FBA prep (FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, carton labeling) and FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) order fulfillment. Enables one inventory pool to serve Amazon alongside Shopify, Walmart, and wholesale channels simultaneously.
• WalmartcoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S integrates with Walmart's ecommerce platform enabling multi-channel fulfillment alongside Amazon, Shopify, and other storefronts from a single inventory pool.
• eBaycoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S integrates with eBay for ecommerce order fulfillment, supporting multi-channel sellers who list on multiple platforms.
• EtsycoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S integrates with Etsy for ecommerce order fulfillment, enabling artisan and specialty product sellers to leverage R&S warehousing and shipping services.
• BigCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationR&S supports BigCommerce integration as part of its multi-channel ecommerce fulfillment capabilities, enabling order synchronization for brands using BigCommerce as their storefront.
• Magento (Adobe Commerce)coreTechnology or IntegrationR&S supports Magento integration for ecommerce fulfillment, enabling larger enterprise ecommerce brands using the Magento/Adobe Commerce platform to connect their stores to R&S warehouse operations.
• Bush Bean'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company participating in R&S-UT 3PL class facility tours. Students toured Bush Bean's operations as part of the experiential learning curriculum, exposing students to real-world supply chain management in the food industry.
• DENSOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDENSO (automotive components manufacturer) participated in R&S-UT 3PL class facility tours, providing students exposure to automotive supply chain and manufacturing operations as part of the partnership's industry tour program.
• Cherokee Distributing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal distribution partner participating in R&S-UT 3PL class industry tours, providing students hands-on exposure to distribution operations.
• Toyota Tsusho Maryville, TNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota Tsusho (automotive supply chain company) participated in R&S-UT 3PL class facility tours, offering students a view into Toyota's supply chain management practices.
• Altar'd StateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAltar'd State (retail fashion brand headquartered in Tennessee) participated in R&S-UT 3PL class industry tours, exposing students to retail distribution and supply chain operations.
• Circle K Solutions / Lean 365minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircle K Solutions and Lean 365 (consulting firm led by Evans Kariuki) provided LEAN management, 5S systems, and waste reduction training as part of the R&S-UT 3PL class curriculum, contributing expertise in continuous improvement methodologies.
• Upscale Leadership (Eric McCollom)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric McCollom of Upscale Leadership served as a guest expert contributor to the R&S-UT 3PL class, providing leadership and operational expertise to supplement the curriculum.
• Hollingsworth CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTom Mann of Hollingsworth Companies contributed expertise to the R&S-UT 3PL class as a guest industry expert, sharing supply chain and logistics management knowledge.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Red Stag Fulfillment: Red Stag Fulfillment is a Southeast US-based 3PL specializing in ecommerce fulfillment, heavy/bulky item handling, and omnichannel distribution. Operates large-format warehouses in Tennessee and the Carolinas serving DTC and B2B clients with similar value propositions to R&S (flexible space, multi-channel integrations, high-accuracy fulfillment).
• ShipBob: ShipBob is a tech-forward 3PL with a nationwide fulfillment network targeting mid-market DTC ecommerce brands. Competes directly with R&S's ecommerce fulfillment offering through proprietary WMS technology, multi-channel integrations (Shopify, Amazon, etc.), and broader geographic coverage.
• ShipMonk: ShipMonk is a multi-channel ecommerce 3PL serving SMB and mid-market DTC brands with proprietary OMS/WMS technology, FBA prep, and inventory management. Directly comparable to R&S's ecommerce fulfillment segment, though ShipMonk operates a larger, more distributed network.
• Boxzooka: Boxzooka is an East Coast ecommerce 3PL offering warehousing, pick-and-pack, and integrations with major ecommerce platforms. Competes with R&S in the mid-market DTC fulfillment segment, particularly for brands seeking East Coast distribution coverage.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Supply Chain (North America): DHL Supply Chain is one of the largest global contract logistics providers, offering warehousing, fulfillment, and value-added services across multiple verticals including consumer goods, automotive, and chemicals. Competes with R&S in enterprise B2B warehousing and specialized industry segments (automotive, chemical).
• GXO Logistics: GXO Logistics is a pure-play contract logistics provider with global warehousing and fulfillment operations serving large B2B and ecommerce customers. While much larger and more diversified, GXO is comparable to R&S in core contract warehousing, fulfillment, and value-added services across multiple verticals.
• XPO Logistics: XPO Logistics operates one of the largest North American less-than-truckload and contract logistics networks, providing warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation services. Overlaps with R&S on asset-based trucking, brokerage, and contract warehousing segments.

Regional players

• Kanban Logistics: Kanban Logistics is a Southeast US 3PL offering warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation services, particularly in the Carolinas. Comparable to R&S as a regional fulfillment provider serving B2B manufacturers and DTC brands with multi-channel capabilities.
• Verst Logistics: Verst Logistics is a Midwest-based contract logistics provider offering warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation services. While headquartered in Kentucky with a different geographic focus, Verst competes with R&S in B2B contract logistics, ecommerce fulfillment, and food-grade/certified storage verticals.

Others

• Transportation Insight: Transportation Insight is a North American supply chain management and freight brokerage firm providing managed transportation, parcel, and logistics services. Comparable to R&S's brokerage and managed transportation segment, serving as both a competitor and potential partner in multimodal freight services.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RSWarehousing
• Facebookfacebook.com/RSLogisticsET
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/r&s-logistics-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/randslogistics
• Xx.com/rslogisticsinc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 R&S Logistics