What Empire Freight Logistics does

Empire Freight Logistics ("EMPIRE") is a privately held, asset-light freight brokerage founded in 2003 and headquartered in Syracuse, New York. The company operates as a subsidiary of KODIS Holdings, a diversified group of niche logistics providers, and serves four primary verticals — Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Alcohol, and Retail — providing specialized freight transportation and supply chain solutions. Service offerings span less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload, dry van, pool distribution, white-glove delivery, drayage, international air freight, rail, intermodal, and last-mile services, with the company's material organized around four pillars: Transportation, Logistics Solutions, Technology, and Analytics.

The Technology and Analytics pillars include a Transportation Management System (TMS), multi-carrier shipping enablement, predictive logistics modeling using statistical and machine learning techniques, real-time tracking and alerting, IoT device connectivity for cargo condition monitoring, carrier performance auditing, and API-level system integration. Industry-specific technology modules address vertical requirements such as temperature monitoring for pharmaceuticals, batch tracking for nutraceuticals, age verification for alcohol, and RFID and demand forecasting for retail. Analytics capabilities span predictive analytics, prescriptive analytics, drill-down data analysis, and customizable reporting delivered through interactive dashboards.

Empire's revenue model is built on transaction fees from freight brokerage, supplemented by consulting fees and white-glove delivery premiums. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to customer requirements, typically structured as multi-year contracts. The go-to-market motion is consultative and sales-led, targeting enterprise and mid-market customers, with a 3PLSystems client portal supporting ongoing account management. The company is also integrated into KODIS Holdings' ONYX supply chain orchestration platform, built on the ServiceNow AI Platform, which provides cross-portfolio AI capabilities and shared technology infrastructure across the parent group.

Name

Empire Freight Logistics

Legal name

Empire Freight Logistics

Website

https://empirefreightlogistics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Empire Freight Logistics is a private, asset-light freight brokerage headquartered in Syracuse, NY, serving pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, alcohol, and retail verticals with multi-modal transportation, TMS and IoT-enabled technology, predictive analytics, and white-glove services as a subsidiary of KODIS Holdings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Brokerage & Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Transportation Services (4700), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)

akta.pro primary industry

Intermodal Drayage & Cartage (First/Last Mile) (TLADAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

High-Value & Secure Air Cargo (Valuables, Security Screening, Escort) (TLACAAAH), International Freight Forwarding (Air/Ocean) for Personal Effects (HSAKACAD)

Keywords

• Freight brokerage
• Less-than-truckload
• Pharmaceutical logistics
• Cold chain transport
• Supply chain orchestration

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Freight Transportation Services: EMPIRE provides freight services across multiple modes including full truckload, partial truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, international, and last mile delivery. As an asset-light brokerage, they coordinate but do not own transportation equipment, earning revenue through service fees and negotiated carrier rates.
2. Specialized Logistics Services: Specialized services for niche industries including project cargo, renewable energy, heavy equipment, and oversized/overweight cargo transportation. Revenue is generated through custom pricing for complex logistics requirements.
3. Consulting Services: Consultative approach providing analysis and reporting for monitoring key indicators, identifying operational inefficiencies, optimizing fleet management, and improving supply chain management for enhanced customer satisfaction.
4. White Glove Logistics: Premium-level transportation and delivery service with high-touch handling for sensitive or high-value goods including inside delivery, unpacking, assembly, installation, and product demonstrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Empire Freight Logistics (EMPIRE) is an asset-light freight brokerage that coordinates multi-modal transportation services — including full truckload, LTL, intermodal, drayage, air freight, rail, pool distribution, and last-mile delivery — for businesses in four niche verticals: Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Alcohol, and Retail. The company layers on technology such as a Transportation Management System, predictive analytics, IoT cargo monitoring, and API integrations, delivered via a consultative sales model and a 3PLSystems client portal.

Product overview

EMPIRE Freight Logistics operates as a tech-enabled, tech-agnostic logistics provider offering a comprehensive suite of services organized around four core pillars: Transportation (LTL, dry van, pool distribution, white glove, drayage, air freight, rail), Logistics Solutions (pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, alcohol, and retail industry verticals), Technology (Transportation Management System, Multi-carrier Shipping Enablement, Predictive Logistics Modeling, Integrated Reporting, Carrier Performance Auditing, Alerting, and System Integration), and Analytics (Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics, Data Visualization, Drill-down Analysis, Customizable Reports). The company is a subsidiary of KODIS Holdings and functions as an asset-light brokerage with industry-specific technology add-ons for each vertical. Core differentiators include real-time tracking, IOT cargo monitoring, GPS route optimization, cloud-based logistics software, and API-based platform connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Less-than-Truckload (LTL) Transportation Specialized shipping service for smaller freight volumes where multiple shippers' loads are consolidated onto a single truck to share costs and deliver efficiently.
• Dry Van Transportation Enclosed box-trailer transport for dry, non-perishable cargo providing protection from environmental factors such as moisture and dust.
• Pool Distribution Logistics strategy consolidating shipments from multiple suppliers into a centralized hub for combined last-mile delivery across a defined geographic area, optimizing cost and transit time.
• White Glove Logistics Premium, high-touch transportation and delivery service for sensitive or high-value goods, including inside delivery, unpacking, assembly, installation, and product demonstrations.
• Drayage Services Short-distance container and cargo movement between ports, rail yards, or intermodal hubs and nearby warehouses or distribution centers.
• International Air Freight Expedited international cargo transport by aircraft for businesses requiring rapid cross-border movement of products.
• Rail Transportation Cost-effective long-haul transport of large shipments over the railway network, suited for bulk commodities and lower-carbon freight movement.
• Full Truckload Services Dedicated full-truck capacity for high-volume shipments handled with efficiency and reliability as part of the KODIS family freight offerings.
• Intermodal Services Combined-mode transportation that links trucks, rail, ocean, and air to optimize cost and transit performance across longer supply chains.
• Last Mile Delivery Final-leg delivery service that ensures goods reach their end destination, completing the supply chain to homes, retail stores, or distribution points.
• Specialized Cargo Services Custom logistics for project cargo, renewable energy components, heavy equipment, and oversized or overweight shipments.
• Transportation Management System (TMS) Software platform for managing and optimizing transportation operations, including route planning, shipment tracking, carrier selection, cost management, and performance analytics.
• Consulting Services Consultative analysis and reporting covering operational KPIs, fleet management, supply chain optimization, and customer experience improvements.
• Predictive & Prescriptive Analytics Analytics offering that uses historical and real-time data to forecast demand, predict delivery times, identify disruptions, and recommend optimal logistics actions.
• Client Portal Online portal (3PLSystems) that provides customers with shipment tracking, dashboard visibility, and self-service account management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced lead times through technology-enabled logistics optimization
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KODIS HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMPIRE is a subsidiary of KODIS Holdings, a family of niche logistics providers. KODIS Holdings provides corporate infrastructure, technology platforms (including ONYX supply chain orchestration system using ServiceNow AI), sustainability initiatives, and strategic direction across its portfolio companies including EMPIRE, SOLVR Logistics, STANDARD Freight Logistics, KODIS Transportation, and SDS Logistics.
• SOLVR LogisticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under KODIS Holdings. Part of the thoughtfully curated collection of niche logistics companies offering complementary services.
• STANDARD Freight LogisticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under KODIS Holdings. Part of the thoughtfully curated collection of niche logistics companies offering complementary services.
• KODIS TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under KODIS Holdings. Part of the thoughtfully curated collection of niche logistics companies offering complementary services.
• SDS LogisticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under KODIS Holdings. Part of the thoughtfully curated collection of niche logistics companies offering complementary services.
• ServiceNowcoreTechnology or IntegrationKODIS Holdings has launched ONYX, a first-of-its-kind supply chain orchestration system using the ServiceNow AI Platform. This technology platform is used across the KODIS family of companies including EMPIRE, enabling advanced automation and AI capabilities for logistics operations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RXO: Tech-enabled US freight brokerage spun off from XPO, offering truckload, LTL, last-mile, and managed transportation. Directly comparable to Empire as an asset-light freight broker focused on truckload and LTL services with a strong technology platform.
• Echo Global Logistics: US-based asset-light freight brokerage (now a Jordan Company portfolio company) providing truckload, LTL, intermodal, and managed transportation. Comparable to Empire as a tech-enabled freight arranger serving shippers across multiple modes.
• Landstar System: Asset-light freight transportation services provider using BCOs (business capacity owners) and agents. Comparable to Empire's asset-light model and decentralized carrier network across truckload, LTL, and specialized cargo.
• Coyote Logistics (UPS Supply Chain Solutions): US freight brokerage acquired by UPS, offering truckload, LTL, intermodal, and supply chain services. Directly comparable as a multi-modal asset-light broker with similar carrier-network model and consultative approach.
• Transportation Insight (Mode Global): Non-asset-based 3PL offering managed transportation, truckload brokerage, and parcel services with strong mid-market and enterprise focus. Comparable to Empire in managed-transportation model and consultative approach.
• Worldwide Express: Mid-market-focused freight brokerage and logistics provider (backed by Ridgemont Equity/CVC) offering LTL, truckload, and managed transportation. Directly comparable to Empire in customer segment, mode mix, and consultative sales motion.

Emerging players

• Uber Freight: Digital freight brokerage and managed transportation provider from Uber, offering truckload, intermodal, and brokerage services with deep technology investment. Comparable to Empire as a tech-enabled asset-light freight broker, with much larger capital backing.

Broad incumbents

• ArcBest: Asset-based LTL carrier (ABF Freight) with asset-light logistics segment offering truckload brokerage, intermodal, and managed transportation. Comparable to Empire across the LTL and asset-light logistics spectrum.
• Hub Group: Asset-light intermodal and logistics provider offering intermodal, truck brokerage, dedicated, and final-mile services. Comparable to Empire for intermodal, drayage, and brokerage offerings.
• C.H. Robinson Worldwide: One of the largest US 3PLs and freight brokerages with North American Surface Transportation and Global Forwarding. Comparable to Empire as a multi-modal freight arranger serving enterprise shippers, but operating at vastly greater scale with a much broader service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empire-freight-logistics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Empire Freight Logistics