What Standard Distribution Co. does

Standard Distribution Co. is a privately held, family-owned third-party logistics (3PL) provider headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, operating continuously since 1936. The company offers an integrated suite of supply chain services including dedicated and multi-client warehousing, B2B and B2C fulfillment, contract packaging, rail transloading, toll processing, and cross-docking. It serves ten verticals, with industrial, agricultural, food and beverage, and e-commerce as primary segments, through 900,000+ square feet of USDA and FDA approved facilities across Iowa and Nebraska. The 162,000 square foot Rail Way facility provides direct access to the Canadian National (CN) rail line for intermodal transloading. The company is currently owned and managed by the third and fourth generation of the Poe family (Stan Poe, Andy Poe, and Katy Poe Harbaugh).

The company's technology stack consists of standard warehouse management systems (WMS) for inventory and order fulfillment, transportation management systems (TMS) for routing and shipment tracking, and full Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities for client system integration. Additional functionality includes online inventory transparency, shopping cart integration, order tracking notifications, and re-order notices. There is no proprietary technology, public API, or AI/ML-driven capability disclosed; the offering is differentiated by infrastructure and service breadth rather than technology.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model: managed-service warehousing (space rental, storage fees, handling charges) on both dedicated and multi-client terms, paired with transaction-fee arrangements for fulfillment, contract packaging, rail transloading, and toll processing. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with engagements customized to volume, commodity type, and service scope. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and relationship-driven, targeting mid-market and enterprise clients through direct outreach, content marketing on the company website, and long-tenured referral networks built over 90 years of operation.

Name

Standard Distribution Co.

Legal name

Standard Distribution Co.

Website

https://standarddist.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Standard Distribution Co. is a family-owned Iowa-based third-party logistics provider operating 900,000+ square feet of USDA and FDA approved warehousing, fulfillment, packaging, rail transloading, and cross-docking facilities serving industrial, agricultural, food and beverage, and e-commerce clients across the Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Warehousing and Fulfillment Services

NAICS

Wholesale Trade (42)

akta.pro primary industry

Asset-Based Warehousing & Distribution Centers (Owned/Leased Facilities) (TLAIAMAB)

Keywords

• Third-party logistics
• Warehousing services
• Order fulfillment
• Contract packaging
• Rail transloading

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Warehousing Services: Both dedicated and multi-client (shared) warehousing solutions with over 900,000 square feet of USDA and FDA approved space in Iowa and Nebraska. Revenue is generated through space rental, storage fees, and handling charges based on inventory volume and storage duration.
2. Fulfillment Services: B2B and B2C fulfillment services including order processing, pick and pack, same-day shipping, and returns processing. Revenue generated per-order or per-transaction basis.
3. Contract Packaging: Co-packing services including repacking, batching, UPC printing, bagging, quality inspection, gluing, and bundling. Revenue based on per-unit or per-service fees.
4. Rail Transloading: Transfer of freight between rail and truck transportation modes. Revenue generated through transloading fees and handling charges.
5. Toll Processing: Processing of raw materials or semi-finished products for manufacturers for a fee (toll). Includes mixing, blending, and bagging services. Revenue based on processing volume and complexity.
6. Cross Docking: Direct transfer of goods from inbound to outbound vehicles with minimal storage. Revenue generated through handling fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Standard Distribution Co. is a family-owned third-party logistics (3PL) provider operating over 900,000 square feet of USDA and FDA approved warehousing space across Iowa and Nebraska. The company sells dedicated and multi-client warehousing, B2B and B2C order fulfillment, contract packaging, rail transloading, toll processing, and cross docking services to industrial, agricultural, food and beverage, e-commerce, retail, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical customers.

Product overview

Standard Distribution Co. is a family-owned Third Party Logistics (3PL) company operating since 1936, offering an integrated suite of warehousing and logistics services. The core portfolio centers on Warehousing (with dedicated and multi-client options), Fulfillment (B2B and B2C), Contract Packaging, Rail Transloading, Toll Processing, and Cross Docking. These core services are supported by value-added modules including Inventory Management, Quality Control Inspection, Kitting, Labeling, Barcoding, Retail Display Assembly, Shrink Wrapping, Product Assembly, and Returns Management. The company operates over 900,000 square feet of USDA and FDA approved facilities in Iowa and Nebraska, providing a one-stop-shop for supply chain solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warehousing Dedicated and multi-client warehousing solutions providing over 900,000 square feet of USDA and FDA approved space in Iowa and Nebraska, with ambient and temperature-controlled storage, racking options, and specialty handling equipment for industrial, agricultural, food and beverage, and consumer goods clients.
• Fulfillment B2B and B2C order fulfillment services including order processing, pick and pack, same-day shipping, and returns processing, integrating client systems with Standard's inventory and order management system for a claimed 100% order accuracy.
• Contract Packaging Co-packing services including repacking, batching, UPC printing, bagging, quality inspection, gluing, and bundling for manufacturers and consumer goods clients.
• Rail Transloading Transfer of freight between rail and truck transportation modes, offering fuel savings, reduced emissions, and direct access to the Canadian National (CN) rail line from the 1225 Rail Way facility.
• Toll Processing Processing of raw materials or semi-finished products for manufacturers using Standard's equipment and facilities, including mixing, blending, and bagging, allowing clients to avoid capital investment in specialty equipment.
• Cross Docking Direct transfer of goods from inbound to outbound shipments with minimal storage time, reducing handling costs and delivery times for clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% order accuracy rate
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandard Distribution Co. is a major investor in the Cedar Falls Utilities solar power project 'Simple Solar,' the largest community solar project in Iowa. The 1.5 megawatt project provides green power to homes and businesses in Cedar Falls, including the company's Viking Road location directly across the street.
• Canadian National Railway (CN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandard Distribution Co.'s rail transloading facilities are directly served by the Canadian National Railway, enabling efficient intermodal transportation services for clients.
• International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA)minorOthersStandard Distribution Co. is a member of the International Warehouse Logistics Association, the trade association for the warehousing and logistics industry. Membership provides industry standards, networking, and professional development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kenco Group: Third-party logistics provider focused on warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment services. Closely aligned mid-tier 3PL with comparable service mix and customer profile.
• NFI Industries: Family-influenced national 3PL offering dedicated and shared warehousing, fulfillment, packaging, and intermodal services. Most directly comparable peer given multi-service 3PL model spanning warehousing, packaging, and transportation.
• Hub Group: Intermodal and logistics services company with rail exposure and warehousing capabilities. Directly comparable on the rail transloading and intermodal dimensions of Standard Distribution's offering.

Broad incumbents

• XPO Logistics: Major North American 3PL/transportation company providing warehousing, contract logistics, and freight services. Comparable across warehousing and fulfillment but operates at national scale versus Standard Distribution's regional footprint.
• Ryder System: Large 3PL offering warehousing, fulfillment, transportation management, and supply chain solutions. Comparable full-service 3PL scope but with national/international coverage and substantially larger scale.
• C.H. Robinson: Global logistics services company providing warehousing, distribution, and managed services alongside its core freight brokerage business. Comparable in contract logistics scope though broader in transportation offerings.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global 3PL leader offering warehousing, fulfillment, contract packaging, and value-added services. Overlaps significantly with Standard Distribution's full-service 3PL portfolio but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Geodis: Global 3PL providing warehousing, fulfillment, contract logistics, and supply chain optimization. Overlaps with Standard Distribution's contract logistics and warehousing offerings within North America.
• Penske Logistics: 3PL subsidiary of Penske offering warehousing, distribution, and transportation management services. Comparable 3PL service mix and customer segments though at larger scale.

Emerging players

• Americold Logistics: Public temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics specialist. Adjacent peer given Standard Distribution's food-grade (USDA/FDA approved) warehousing focus; comparable on regulated food storage though narrower in cold-chain specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/standard-distribution-co-142812275800218
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/855037

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Standard Distribution Co.