What Dockside Logistics does

Dockside Logistics is a privately held, founder-owned third-party logistics (3PL) provider headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, with four operational locations across Charleston, Hanahan, St George (South Carolina), and Houston (Texas). Founded in 2005 to serve a Fortune 100 client's warehousing and export cargo loading requirements, the company has since expanded its service portfolio to include warehousing and distribution, transportation (container drayage, 53' van, LTL, flatbed, specialty trailers), third-party logistics management, export and custom crating, heavy lift services (up to 36,000 pounds), and specialized handling for metals and forestry products. The company targets enterprise and mid-market B2B customers across the Southeast US and Gulf Coast, with an emphasis on port-adjacent import/export flows via the Port of Charleston.

The company's service delivery is built on a mix of physical asset specialization and standard third-party logistics technology. Core technology is the Magaya cloud-based Warehouse Management System (WMS), which provides real-time inventory visibility, EDI capability, scanned handling units, automated KPI reporting, and daily backups across multiple server locations. Specialized physical equipment includes 22,000 lb and 36,000 lb heavy lift capability, rotating paper roll clamps for 24-70 inch diameter rolls, and a drive-through metals facility. The company holds ISPM-15 certification for export crating and NCB certification for non-containerized cargo flat racks, enabling compliance-driven international shipping work.

Dockside operates a sales-led, direct-to-business model with custom quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. Revenue is generated through managed services arrangements across warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment, supplemented by professional services revenue from custom export crating. Marketing channels include a website with comprehensive service and location pages, an active blog (continuing through November 2024), a quote request form, and direct phone outreach. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or parent company relationships.

Name

Dockside Logistics

Legal name

Dockside Logistics

Website

https://docksidelogistics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dockside Logistics is a privately held, founder-owned 3PL provider in Charleston, SC, offering warehousing, transportation, custom crating, heavy lift, and specialized metals and forestry product handling for enterprise and mid-market B2B customers across the Southeast US and Gulf Coast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics and Warehousing Services

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Dock & Transload Operations (Short-Dwell) (TLAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Equipment Transport (Flatbed, Step-Deck, Lowboy, Car Carrier) (TLAIAMAH), Lifting, Rigging & Crane Services (Onsite/Offsite) (TLAIAKAG)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Warehousing distribution
• Export crating
• Heavy lift cargo
• Transportation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Services: Comprehensive 3PL services including warehousing, transportation management, inventory optimization, and order fulfillment. Revenue generated through managed services contracts with performance-based solutions.
2. Export Crating Services: Custom export crating solutions including ISPM-15 compliant heat-treated crates for international shipping compliance.
3. Custom Crating Solutions: Heavy-duty and custom crating for oversized or overweight cargo, including on-site crating services.
4. Transportation Services: Drayage services (container drayage), standard cargo transport (53' van, LTL), and specialized cargo transport (flatbed, out-of-gauge, specialty trailers like Conestoga).
5. Metals Services: Specialized metals handling for automotive and beverage industries including import/export services, drive-through facility, raw materials (aluminite, ingots, sows), and scrap metal management (UBC Class 1, 2, 3).
6. Forestry Products Handling: Expert handling of paper and tissue reels, loose fill and palletized container arrivals, finished products, and specialty papers including thermal paper.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dockside Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering warehousing and distribution, transportation (drayage, 53' van, LTL, flatbed, out-of-gauge, specialty trailers), and integrated 3PL services. These core offerings are complemented by specialized capabilities including ISPM-15 compliant export crating, custom crating, heavy lift handling up to 36,000 pounds, metals logistics for automotive and beverage industries, and forestry products handling using rotating paper roll clamps.

Product overview

Dockside Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering a comprehensive suite of supply chain solutions. The core offering includes warehousing and distribution services, transportation (drayage, standard and specialized cargo transport), and 3PL services. These core services are enhanced by specialized modules including Export and Custom Crating (ISPM-15 compliant crating solutions), Heavy Lift Services (cargo up to 36,000 pounds), Metals Logistics (automotive and beverage industry focused), and Forestry Products Handling. The company operates a cloud-based Warehouse Management System (Magaya WMS) to provide real-time visibility and EDI capabilities across all services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warehousing and Distribution Solutions Comprehensive warehousing and distribution services including secure storage, inventory management, cross-docking, trans-loading, consolidation, and deconsolidation, delivered from state-of-the-art facilities in Charleston, SC for businesses requiring efficient goods distribution to customers worldwide.
• Logistics Services Tailored logistics solutions encompassing cargo handling, inventory control, transportation management, and packaging and fulfillment services for businesses requiring end-to-end supply chain coordination.
• 3PL Services Third-party logistics services providing warehousing, transportation management, inventory optimization, and order fulfillment to streamline supply chain operations for businesses seeking outsourced logistics support.
• Export Crating ISPM-15 compliant export crating solutions including customized, heat-treated, and heavy-duty crates designed for international shipping and customs clearance for businesses exporting heavy machinery and industrial products.
• Custom Crating Tailored custom crates designed and built to specifications for delicate electronics, heavy machinery, and oversized items, including on-site crating services for businesses requiring specialized packaging for non-standard cargo.
• Transportation Services Comprehensive transportation services including container drayage, 53' van, LTL, flatbed, out-of-gauge, and specialty transportation (Conestoga trailers) for various cargo types across domestic routes.
• Heavy Lift Services Heavy cargo handling capabilities for items up to 36,000 pounds, including out-of-gauge and oversize cargo, with NCB-certified export flat racks and 22,000-pound lifts designed to fit within standard containers for businesses with oversized or heavy cargo requirements.
• Metals Logistics Specialized logistics for automotive and beverage industries including import/export services, drive-through facilities for quick transactions, raw materials handling (aluminite, ingots, sows), and scrap metal management (UBC Class 1, 2, 3).
• Forestry Products Handling Expert handling of forestry products including paper and tissue reels, specialty thermal paper, with rotating paper roll clamps designed for rolls from 24 to 70 inches in diameter, plus loose fill and palletized container arrivals and finished products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 15% reduction in logistics costs
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Hub Group: Asset-light logistics provider offering intermodal, truckload, dedicated, and warehousing/logistics solutions. Comparable in operating contract warehousing plus multi-modal transportation services for enterprise shippers.
• GXO Logistics: Pure-play contract logistics provider focused on warehousing, distribution, and reverse logistics for enterprise customers. Directly comparable as a 3PL whose core offering is contract warehousing and value-added services, the same category Dockside competes in.
• Penske Logistics: Provides dedicated contract carriage, warehousing, and supply chain management services to manufacturers and retailers. Comparable as a 3PL that bundles warehousing with transportation and value-added services for enterprise customers, the same integrated model Dockside sells.
• NFI Industries: Family-owned, mid-market North American 3PL offering dedicated transportation, warehousing, and integrated logistics. Highly comparable as a privately held, founder-led 3PL operating dedicated warehouses and drayage/transport services at a similar scale profile to Dockside.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics leader providing warehousing, distribution, and value-added services across all major verticals. A broad incumbent competing in the same 3PL category as Dockside but at far greater scale and geographic reach.
• Ryder System: Operates dedicated transportation, contract warehousing, and supply chain solutions for enterprises. Comparable in combining warehousing with dedicated fleet services, though at much larger scale and broader national footprint.
• XPO Logistics: Large North American provider of less-than-truckload, contract logistics, and last-mile services. A broad incumbent whose contract logistics arm overlaps directly with Dockside's warehousing and 3PL offering.
• ArcBest: Multimodal logistics provider combining LTL carrier ABF Freight with asset-based and integrated supply chain solutions. Comparable as a 3PL offering warehousing, transportation, and supply chain services to enterprise customers across multiple verticals.

Regional players

• Saia Inc. Less-than-truckload carrier with strong Southeastern U.S. density and growing national footprint. Comparable as a regional freight operator serving many of the same shipper customers and geographic corridors Dockside targets.
• Southeastern Freight Lines: Regional less-than-truckload carrier serving the Southeastern U.S. from a hub in Lexington, SC. Comparable as a Southeast-focused freight and logistics operator competing in the same geographic market as Dockside's Charleston-area facilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/docksidelogistics

Compliance2 records

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 Dockside Logistics