Total Quality Logistics

Total Quality Logistics

Company type	Private
Industry	Logistics
Founded	Cincinnati, Ohio (August 1st, 1997)
Headquarters	Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio , United States
Number of locations	60+ offices (2024)
Key people	Ken Oaks (CEO) Kerry Byrne (President)
Revenue	$4.1B (2020) $7.8B (2021) $8.8B (2022) $6.7B (2023)
Number of employees	9,000+ (April 2024)
Website	www.tql.com/about-us

Total Quality Logistics (TQL) stands as a premier freight brokerage and third-party logistics provider in North America, established in 1997 by Ken Oaks in Cincinnati. Its headquarters are situated in Union Township, Ohio, with a network exceeding 60 offices across the United States.

By 2021, TQL had become the largest privately held company in the Cincinnati metropolitan region and ranked as the 19th largest global third-party logistics (3PL) provider. The company delivers a wide array of logistics solutions including full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal transportation, warehousing services, drayage operations, cross-border logistics involving Mexico and Canada, hazardous materials transport, along with specialized freight handling.

TQL’s growth strategy centers on rapid expansion and acquiring top talent, which has facilitated its workforce to surpass 9,000 employees as of 2024. The organization has earned numerous accolades for its corporate culture, including being named one of Greater Cincinnati’s Top Places to Work twelve times and securing spots on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For lists in 2019, 2020, and 2023. Additionally, it has received Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Millennials recognition on five occasions.

In recent developments, TQL revealed significant employment growth plans: February 2022 saw an announcement of creating 525 new positions in Kentucky through collaboration with the state’s Economic Development Cabinet. Following this, in March 2022, TQL partnered with Ohio state agencies and local entities to pledge the addition of 1,000 new jobs alongside an expansion of its southwestern Ohio headquarters. These initiatives highlight TQL’s influential position and strategic direction within the logistics sector.

Supply chain crisis response

During the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020, the company committed $1 million through its Moves That Matter initiative to subsidize transportation expenses for donated shipments, later raising this amount to $2 million. This effort was honored by the American Chemistry Council for exceptional COVID-19 relief contributions. In response to increased transportation needs in 2021, TQL pledged to recruit over 1,000 new employees across the United States.

In February 2023, TQL was recognized as a finalist in the Engage for Good Halo Awards under the "Emergency Crisis/Initiative" category for its Moves That Matter program, which provides free transportation for donated goods. Competing finalists included leading corporations such as United Parcel Service and PayPal.

Headquarters

The company undertook a $20 million expansion of its corporate headquarters located in Union Township, Ohio in 2021, adding 133,000 square feet of space. This development includes Ohio’s, Kentucky’s, and Indiana’s largest American flag measuring 30 by 60 feet and the tallest flagpole standing at 160 feet.

Sponsorships

In 2021, the company acquired naming rights for TQL Stadium, the venue for Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati. This alliance strategically boosts the company's brand presence and influence within the sports sector.

By 2023, TQL had formed a long-term partnership with University of Cincinnati athletics, demonstrating its dedication to community involvement and broadening its sponsorship engagements.