What Custom Global Logistics does

Custom Global Logistics is a privately held, family-run expedited freight transportation and forwarding company founded in 1986 by Perry Mandera as the freight-forwarding division of The Custom Companies, Inc. The company provides time-definite domestic and international shipping services spanning seven product tiers — Next Flight Out, Same Day, Next Day AM/PM, 2nd Day AM/PM, 3rd Day, and 3-5 Day Deferred — plus Hot Shot Exclusive Use, Trade Show Services, White Glove Services, Residential E-Commerce, International Air Freight, and International Ocean Freight (FCL/LCL). Customers include expedited freight shippers, trade show and exhibition companies, residential e-commerce shippers, and international importers/exporters, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, with primary operating bases in Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California.

Operationally, CGL differentiates through full ownership of a 500+ truck fleet (cargo vans, sprinter vans, cube trucks, straight trucks, and tractor trailers), satellite-equipped real-time tracking, and 24/7/365 dispatch across the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, and international destinations. Its technology stack centers on a web-based services platform supporting pricing, billing, and tracking, supplemented by Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Application Programming Interface (API) capabilities for corporate customers handling pickups, tracking, and invoicing. Distribution combines dedicated corporate account executives for enterprise accounts, an online quote-request workflow for SMB and individual shippers, and channel partnerships — notably with CDN Logistics for asset-based Hot Shot and dedicated trade-show truckload capacity.

Revenue is transaction-fee based, driven by shipment-specific charges that vary by weight, dimensions, service level, declared value, and add-ons (e.g., white glove handling, inside delivery, debris removal, insurance). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; standard liability is $0.50 per pound for domestic shipments, with international air liability capped at 17 SDR per kilogram. The company is privately held under founder and family ownership with no institutional or PE backing disclosed, no funding rounds, and no subsidiaries.

Name

Custom Global Logistics

Legal name

Custom Global Logistics, LLC

Website

https://customgl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Custom Global Logistics is a privately held, family-run expedited freight transportation and forwarding company, founded in 1986 and based in Chicago and Los Angeles, serving enterprises, trade show exhibitors, and residential e-commerce shippers across the U.S., Canada, and international destinations through an owned 500+ truck fleet and EDI/API-integrated quote-based services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Expedited Freight Transportation & Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking (No Local) (4213), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-Border & Trade Compliance Management (Customs, Duty, Documentation) (TLAIABAD), Industrial Manufacturing & Heavy Industry (TLAIALAK)

Keywords

• Expedited freight transportation
• Time-definite delivery services
• Trucking and logistics
• International freight forwarding
• Trade show shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Illinois City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Expedited Freight Transportation Services: Core revenue from providing expedited transportation services including Next Flight Out, Same Day, Next Day AM/PM, 2nd Day, 3rd Day, and Deferred services. Transaction-based billing based on shipment weight, dimensions, and service level.
2. White Glove Services: Premium delivery services including inside delivery, unpacking, debris removal, light assembly, and multi-person delivery options. Additional charges apply beyond standard threshold delivery.
3. Trade Show Services: Specialized services for convention and trade show exhibitors including time-definite door-to-door service, dedicated truckload service, and complete customized management of trade show schedules.
4. International Air and Ocean Freight: Door-to-door international air freight and ocean import/export services including FCL and LCL options worldwide.
5. Declared Value/Insurance Services: Optional insurance coverage with declared value charges for shipments. Standard liability is $0.50 per pound with additional insurance available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Custom Global Logistics is an expedited freight transportation and trucking company providing time-definite delivery services for businesses and homes across domestic and international markets. Its core offering spans air expedited services (Next Flight Out, Same Day, Next Day AM/PM), ground services (2nd Day, 3rd Day, Deferred), White Glove delivery, Trade Show logistics, Hot Shot Exclusive Use trucking, and international air and ocean freight forwarding. CGL owns a fleet of 500+ trucks and supports corporate customers through EDI/API integration and a web-based tracking and billing platform.

Product overview

Custom Global Logistics operates as an expedited transportation and freight forwarding company offering a comprehensive suite of time-definite delivery services. The portfolio spans air freight services (Next Flight Out, Same Day, Next Day AM/PM, 2nd Day AM/PM, 3rd Day), ground transportation (Hot Shot Exclusive Use, Deferred 3-5 Day), specialized services (Trade Show Services, White Glove Services), e-commerce solutions (Residential E-Commerce), and international freight (International Air, International Ocean). The company differentiates through its owned fleet of 500+ trucks, 24/7 availability, and integration of EDI and API technology for tracking, pickups, and invoicing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Next Flight Out (NFO) Expedited air freight service that picks up shipments and takes them directly to the airport for booking on the next available flight; includes charter aircraft availability for any size cargo. For businesses with urgent, time-critical shipments.
• Same Day Delivery Same-day delivery using both air and ground transportation with dedicated exclusive-use pickup at origin and standby driver at destination for air services. For businesses requiring same-day arrival.
• Next Day AM Morning delivery ensuring shipments arrive by noon the next business day to continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, and worldwide destinations. For time-sensitive business shipments.
• Next Day PM Afternoon delivery ensuring shipments arrive by close of business the next day to continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, and worldwide destinations. For business shipments needing next-day arrival by end of day.
• 2nd Day AM Delivery ensuring shipments arrive between 7 AM and 5 PM on the second business day. For less urgent but still time-sensitive business freight.
• 2nd Day PM Delivery ensuring shipments arrive by 5 PM on the second business day. For business freight with two-day delivery requirements.
• 3rd Day Delivery Delivery ensuring shipments arrive by 5 PM on the third business day, with AM delivery option available. For business freight with three-day windows.
• 3-5 Day Deferred Economy expedited service for special handling shipments or those requiring extra attention. For cost-sensitive business freight with flexible delivery windows.
• Hot Shot Exclusive Use Dedicated equipment service offering exclusive use of cargo vans, sprinter vans, cube trucks, straight trucks, and tractor trailers with team drivers when needed. For businesses needing dedicated vehicle capacity.
• Trade Show Services Comprehensive trade show and convention freight services including time-definite door-to-door service, flexible delivery options from NFO through deferred, and dedicated truckload service to major shows. For convention and trade show exhibitors and show management companies.
• White Glove Services Premium delivery service including inside delivery, unpacking, debris removal, setup, and as many personnel as needed to complete delivery. For businesses and e-commerce shippers needing premium handling.
• Residential E-Commerce Delivery E-commerce residential delivery solutions including curbside/threshold delivery and residential white glove service with inside delivery, unpacking, and debris removal. For online retailers needing residential last-mile service.
• International Air Freight Worldwide door-to-door air freight service offering next day, second day, and deferred options for international shipments. For businesses shipping internationally by air.
• International Ocean Freight Ocean import and export services including Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) services from countries worldwide. For businesses importing or exporting goods internationally by sea.
• Declared Value / Insurance Coverage Optional insurance coverage with declared value charges for shipments. Standard liability is $0.50 per pound; additional insurance available, with shipments over $50,000 requiring prior written authorization. For businesses shipping high-value goods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24/7/365 availability ensures shipments can be handled any time including holidays
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CDN LogisticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership with CDN Logistics for asset-based Hot Shot services. CGL coordinates with CDN Logistics to ensure complete control and real-time tracking of expedited shipments from pickup through delivery. Also provides exclusive dedicated truckload service for all major trade shows.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Echo Global Logistics: Non-asset freight broker arranging truckload, LTL, and expedited freight across North America; competes with CGL's brokerage and managed transportation services across the same shipper base.
• Yusen Logistics: Global 3PL providing international air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, and transportation management — comparable to CGL's international air/ocean and 4PL-style coordination.
• FedEx Custom Critical: FedEx's white-glove, time-critical surface expedited arm offering Same Day, Next Day, and specialized handling for high-value freight — the closest direct competitor to CGL's NFO/Same Day/Next Day portfolio.
• ArcBest: Asset-based motor carrier with LTL, truckload, expedited, and logistics services — closely comparable to CGL's mix of owned fleet, expedited services, and managed freight.
• Hub Group: Asset-based intermodal and logistics company offering truck brokerage, dedicated, and final-mile services across North America — comparable to CGL's owned-fleet plus brokerage hybrid model.
• CDN Logistics: Asset-based expedited carrier and existing CGL channel partner — directly comparable operating model for Hot Shot, expedited truckload, and trade show freight.
• RXO (formerly XPO): Asset-light freight brokerage and last-mile provider with significant truckload brokerage and expedited capabilities — directly comparable to CGL's managed-freight and 5,000-carrier network model.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Global Forwarding: World-leading freight forwarder with air, ocean, road, and customs services across 190+ countries — directly comparable to CGL's international air/ocean door-to-door offering.
• Expeditors International: Asset-light global logistics provider focused on air and ocean freight forwarding with strong North America presence — competes with CGL's international freight forwarding arm.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the largest global freight forwarders offering integrated air, ocean, road, and contract logistics — overlaps with CGL's international forwarding and white-glove capabilities at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/custom-global-logistic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Custom Global Logistics