Logistically Speaking August 2025 by NFIindustries

Sid Brown, CEO of NFI

Logistically Speaking

SUMMER 2025

As we move into the second half of 2025, let us continue to do the right thing for NFI, our customers, employees, and the communities where we operate. My brothers and I thank you for your commitment and support—you make a difference here at NFI.

We’ve asked a lot during the last five years, and you stepped up to the plate each time. You supported NFI and stood by our customers, ensuring their success. Your teamwork was expressed not just in words but in action. In a world and market that felt unstable, you brought stability.

A landscape of change

Expecting the unexpected

Over the next few months, I’d ask that you help us find opportunities for you and your team to be more efficient, like other sites have done through the One Program, and share ideas with your manager. I’d also ask you to grow with existing customers and bring new brands to our customer base.

With disruption in the supply chain, we have had to change quickly to meet our customers’ needs. Some have decided to shrink inventory or close locations, and others have asked us to find ways to be more efficient. NFI has made hard decisions like reducing shifts and cutting costs, like you may have had to do at home. Despite these changes, I am very optimistic about the future.

Shifts in the US and global economies have become unpredictable over the past few years, leaving businesses in a state of flux. With tariffs constantly changing and their unknown impacts, it is hard for customers to make long-term decisions. I know our employees are seeing everyday items increase in price, and many households are taking on the additional costs, trading down, or cutting back. This economic shift has left us all with new challenges, but we’re committed to navigating them together.

One of the things that sets NFI apart is our stability. We are a diversified business—not only in our service offerings but also with the customers we support. We’re located all over the United States and Canada, which helps us quickly pivot when different issues arise. We’ve done this through many economic shifts in our 93 years, and we’ll continue to do so during this time. NFI keeps moving forward. With our people at the center, we change how we operate and consistently learn to be quicker, smarter, and more flexible. We continue investing in technology, equipment, and real estate to help us grow the business.

find ways to be more efficient. NFI has made hard decisions like reducing shifts and cutting costs, like you may have had to do at home. Despite these changes, I am very optimistic about the future.

With disruption in the supply chain, we have had to change quickly to meet our customers’ needs. Some have decided to shrink inventory or close locations, and others have asked us to

NFI keeps moving forward. With our people at the center, we change how we operate and consistently learn to be quicker, smarter, and more flexible. We continue investing in technology, equipment, and real estate to help us grow the business.

Expecting the unexpected

A landscape of change

Sid Brown, CEO of NFI

Expand North American Market Share

Cross-selling done right

How resilience turned into a four-business-line win

The Wilmington Group (TWG) is a New Jersey-based company that has provided various recycling services since 1977. About three years ago, Mike Shah, NFI Director of Sales, evaluated TWG’s private fleet, but the timing wasn’t quite right for a partnership. However, Mike took the opportunity to showcase the full scope of NFI’s solutions. By doing so, he planted the seeds of a future partnership, making it clear that NFI could offer diverse support whenever the need arose.

with Jeff Kanterman, Adam Greenberg, Gary Grega, Kevin Burke, and Taylor Eckenrode. This business partnership has also forged a friendship between two great leaders, Jeff Brown, NFI President and Vice Chairman, and Brett Laurie, President of TWG. While we still await the rollout of all of our solutions, the feedback from the customer on the solutions planned and operational execution has already been very positive.

“The early stages of our partnership with NFI have been incredibly strong, and I couldn’t be happier with how the relationship is developing.”

David Schmidt

EVP Operations, The Wilmington Group

TWG reconnected with Mike last year, as they remembered his mention of NFI’s Port Services. That single conversation began a snowball effect, leading to multiple solution rollouts. In December 2024, we launched a robust five-year agreement delivering services from multiple NFI business lines. Today, NFI supports TWG with Dedicated Fleets through a “private fleet conversion”, Transportation Management (TM), Integrated Logistics, and Port Services.

Closing a deal this complex is not a one-person task. Countless people on the NFI team supported this project from an engineering and operational perspective, living our value of teamwork. Mike attributes bringing this new customer aboard to the collaborations

“The early stages of our partnership with NFI have been incredibly strong, and I couldn’t be happier with how the relationship is developing,” said David Schmidt, EVP-Operations, The Wilmington Group. “Their use of technology and focus on operational excellence truly sets them apart. We’re excited about what we’ve already accomplished and look forward to many successful years ahead—driving results and creating mutual value together.”

The Wilmington Group did not anticipate the array of solutions we could offer them when Mike first connected with them. To cross-sell successfully, our strategic sales team members have to be prepared in discovery conversations and actively listen for all of the pain points a potential customer has. Educating customers on our end-to-end supply chain offerings and finding creative solutions for their specific needs is essential to growing the business. TWG understood that in order for them to grow, they needed a partner like NFI to streamline their solutions, taking the burden off their shoulders.

Thank you to everyone who has made this successful!

NFI North: Stronger together

Building a brand that lasts

Starting with one warehouse in Toronto more than 20 years ago, NFI is now one of Canada’s largest third-party logistics providers after purchasing Dominion Warehousing in 2016 and SDR Distribution Services in 2023. Last year, we brought these businesses together as NFI’s North Division, which was previously called the Canada Division. This new name shows our commitment to the region and our goal to grow as one company.

SDR’s leadership, alongside NFI’s regional team, supported bringing sales and operations together for a clear strategy in Canada. Aaron Brown, a fourth-generation member of the Brown family, also joined in January 2025 as the Chief Operating Officer of the North Division. Aaron’s leadership brings a long-term vision to the team, showing NFI’s focus on the Canadian market and our strategy to keep investing in the region. The new leadership structure brings valuable wisdom from the legacy Dominion and SDR’s team members, specifically in the retail and hazmat space, working with companies like Sherwin-Williams, Coca-Cola, and Canada Goose. By learning from these experienced leaders, NFI will use these insights to help build our U.S. strategy.

“We are excited about the newly merged leadership for our North Division and the significant momentum we’re seeing as we grow in the Canadian 3PL Market. The knowledge we’re gaining from the hazmat and apparel sectors is expanding our capabilities and strengthening our overall business,” said Kevin Patterson, President of Distribution.

As we continue to grow, NFI is meeting increasing demand from importers who need bonded warehouse space in the US. These warehouses let businesses store imported goods without paying customs duties until they are sent to their final destination. Because of tariffs and fewer bonded warehouses in the United States, more companies are choosing Canada and NFI to hold goods closer to the end consumer while waiting for tariff changes.

Even though tariffs around the world will change, we remain dedicated to growing our business in Canada. With our “Driving Five” plan to expand North American market share in mind, NFI’s North Division is ready to take advantage of our expanded leadership team and combined expertise to seize opportunities and drive growth.

“We are excited about the newly merged leadership for our North Division and the significant momentum we’re seeing as we grow in the Canadian 3PL Market.”

Kevin Patterson President of Distribution, NFI

What’s new for NFI eCom?

Reaching new heights

Canadian-owned company American Tall is known for its clothing designed for tall consumers. Historically, the company shipped its products from an internally operated Toronto facility. With the majority of its consumer base located in the US, the company made the strategic decision to relocate and outsource its operations with NFI’s help.

We are proud to share that NFI’s national presence, dedicated team of experts, and the company’s shared qualities of being familyowned and people-focused earned NFI eCom its largest deal to date.

Exciting new labels

Exceed Customer Expectations

With a little bit of Borax

How NFI Port Services cleaned up a win

Rio Tinto is a metals and mining company with about 60,000 employees and more than 150 years of operation. It supplies essential materials, including copper and aluminum, for energy, manufacturing, and industrial uses. NFI Port Services supports Rio Tinto’s U.S. Borax division in Boron, California—home to one of only two major borate deposits in the world—by providing drayage and soon reintroducing spotting services. This mine supplies nearly 30% of global borate demand, with uses ranging from eyedrops and car windshields to cleaning products and solar panels.

NFI Port Services began supporting Rio Tinto with drayage services 53 years ago. At the time, we shared the business with three other carriers, but we became the sole provider within two years. We held that role until 2020, when Rio Tinto took a risk and moved on to a different provider for a lower price.

It’s natural to feel discouraged when a customer leaves, but

that’s why NFI is hyper-focused on building and maintaining healthy relationships with our customers. During this transition, former President of Port Services, Aaron Brown, VP of Drayage Operations, Jorge Fernandez, and Terminal Manager, Sergio Vega, amicably maintained a level of professionalism that spoke volumes. Less than 90 days later, when Rio Tinto found that their new provider wasn’t meeting performance expectations, we received a call asking if our team would be willing to support them.

Without hesitation, NFI was there with proven drayage expertise and consistent service that Rio Tinto relied on. When Rio Tinto put out a Request for Proposal for their next contract, NFI was ready to bid with a fresh approach.

The drayage industry has often been seen as a regimented business line that doesn’t usually stray from the norm. Brian Webb, our current President of Port Services, sees that as a strategic advantage to NFI. During this bid cycle, we dared to think outside the box and offer new solutions like tiered pricing, shared KPI’s, electric vehicle spotting, and other strategic incentives. While not all of these offerings were adopted, we successfully won the majority of the business back, and it’s set to commence in September 2025. We learned from this that even when services go unused, exhibiting a continuous improvement mentality helps set us apart and shows customers that we’re ready to support their future success.

NFI knows we grow only by investing in relationships and offering innovative solutions. Over the past few years, this approach has helped win new business and offer renewed opportunities for our existing customers. Our dedication and level of service have truly become differentiators, and we are a stronger NFI because of it.

Reduce Risk

Technology that helps make you safe

At NFI, our people always come first. That’s why our Safety team invests in equipment to protect our employees. Technology and automation are advancing by the second, and we’ve implemented several new technologies in our warehouses to ensure our teams stay safe.

The MakuSafe (“Make-You-Safe”) technology has been deployed at 11 sites and utilized by about 460 employees. This technology, worn on the employees’ arm, can detect if you pick up, move, or drop an object without following Wide-Set-Lift (WSL) protocols. When the device is activated with detection, it lets supervisors know when WSL is being used correctly or if an employee on their team may not fully understand. The data-driven approach to coaching further protects employees from injury.Remarkably, with this integration, all 11 sites reported zero lost-time injuries in 2024.

We’ve also invested in safety in our warehouses’ yards. TrioMobile is another wearable technology that protects pedestrians from material handling equipment (MHE). The device is worn on pedestrians’ arms and is connected to a system attached to our MHEs. When a pedestrian is detected near running MHE, TrioMobile alerts by flashing colors, making sounds, and vibrating so pedestrians and the operator can recognize a hazard nearby, and stop or get out of the way. Our Safety team is committed to finding innovative and effective ways to keep our people safe daily.

Safe and Secure with CSS

Creating a culture of prevention

The Corporate Security Services (CSS) has grown substantially over the past few years. The CSS team is focused on identifying, mitigating, and responding to security risks.

The team, headed by Kevin Johnson, VP Corporate Security Services, now has 20 members, including two campus teams in Chino, CA, and Savannah, GA. These teams work closely with our business partners and customers to create a culture of prevention.

We’ve recently seen an escalation in cargo thefts by organized crime groups and have been educating our employees on how to face this threat strategically. While being reactive to security threats is important, being proactive to prevent threats from ever happening makes a greater impact. Security doesn’t just stop at our sites, it’s important to keep top of mind during every aspect of your day.

Scan the QR code for security tips to stay safe at home, at work, online, and while out and about.

Trio-Mobile

Improve Operational Performance

Your work, your way, with Workday

In our ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, NFI is proud to share that we are moving our Human Capital Management (HCM) system from My-NFI (UKG) to Workday. This best-in-class platform will bring advanced self-service capabilities, improved user experience, AI-driven features to boost efficiency, and much-needed improvements to critical processes such as performance management, real-time reporting, and the HR Help Desk.

Though the transition won’t be complete until early 2026, we will be sharing more information on the new system so that you’re ready to take full advantage at go-live. Workday is considered the gold standard of HR platforms, and we’re excited to make this investment to elevate our organization with improved innovation, collaboration, and efficiency.

Cultivate Our Culture

Louis Washington joined NFI in August of 2023 as a Senior Internal Communications Coordinator on the Communications team. In November 2024, he went through the Career Mobility process and transitioned to the role of Strategic Sourcing Specialist on the Strategic Sourcing team. To gain a deeper understanding of Career Mobility and what it’s like for an employee to participate, we asked Louis about his experience:

Broadening horizons

Unconventional career paths with Career Mobility

Launched in July 2024, Career Mobility is a strategic approach to talent management that prioritizes the movement of NFI employees cross-divisionally. It facilitates the intentional flow of our workforce across teams by empowering employees to own their development. Career Mobility provides NFI employees with the platform to explore new career paths within the company, work closely with the talent development team to refine their career goals, and discover transferable skills while developing skills in new ways.

Career Mobility has helped dozens of employees “own their career” by transitioning into new cross-divisional roles. About a year into the program, one hundred percent of those employees have been retained and are succeeding in these new roles.

What does “owning your own development” mean to you?

Owning your development means you’re being proactive and seeking out ways to grow, learn, and challenge yourself. If you want more opportunities or to try something new, you should take the initiative rather than wait and expect it to happen one day. Put simply, if you want something, go after it.

What drew you to Career Mobility and/ or your current position?

Since first joining NFI, I have noticed the wide array of teams and the value they add to the organization. In my Communications role, I had the task of editing a Career Mobility video during the program’s early stages. Watching and editing this video sparked my interest and expanded my curiosity about the ability to move within the company. I felt I had transferable skills and wanted to learn more about what opportunities were out there for me.

Some of the transferable skills I’ve developed throughout my career have been directly translated from my initial and current roles at NFI. While on the communications team, I practiced the ability to curate language and visuals to best communicate with various audiences. These skills are still being used as I communicate sourcing topics within our employee base or while coordinating with our suppliers.

What is the most important thing you’d tell someone considering the

Career Mobility process?

The resources at NFI are structured to help you get to where you want to be. Whether you’re motivated to expand on a specific skill or seeking a fresh start, the tools are there to guide you. This process is not just focused on filling open positions on various teams, but really hones in on developing people already at NFI and helping us reach our goals as professionals. Trust the process, use the resources, and accomplish your career goals.

In your opinion, what was the most difficult part of this process?

The most difficult part was processing what the transition would look like. In any aspect, change can be challenging to face, especially when you tend to overthink. I tried not to linger on any negative thoughts, and purposely focused on the (many) positives to not discourage myself. I had to channel confidence and faith in myself that I could do this, and everything would work out as it was meant to. That inner confidence helped me trust the process and become comfortable with the idea of changing roles and experiencing something new that could help my career development. It also helped immensely to have the support of my family and the leaders in my department to set the tempo for completing the process with peace of mind.

What

is something new you’ve learned about yourself from this experience?

Career Mobility allowed me to reflect on my career more holistically. The challenges I’ve encountered have all been lessons that taught me how to pivot and embrace change. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, the opportunities and risks I’ve taken, and how much I have learned, especially in the difficult moments.

“The resources at NFI are structured to help you get to where you want to be. Whether you’re motivated to expand on a specific skill or seeking a fresh start, the tools are there to guide you.”

Louis Washington

Strategic Sourcing Specialist, NFI

Driving care forward

In 2021, NFI launched the NFI Foundation to formalize its long-standing commitment to partnering with charitable organizations across the locations where our employees work and live. The Foundation focuses on three main areas: Health & Welfare, Education, and Diversity & Inclusion. As part of its people-first culture, NFI also recognizes the voice of its employees in shaping the Foundation’s impact across North America.

Some of the organizations you’ve helped us select include the SickKids Foundation in Toronto, the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa Bay, Camden Prep in New Jersey, Girls Inc. in Texas, the Boys and Girls Club in Georgia, and St. John’s Community Health in California. While the Foundation is a recent addition to NFI’s structure, its mission is deeply rooted in its history. By aligning charitable giving with its values, NFI is building stronger communities and creating opportunities that extend far beyond logistics.

Foundation’s impact on people, communities, and futures $1.8M

Putting in the miles

Delivering diversity and inclusion to our sites

At NFI, “diversity and inclusion” aren’t just words that we talk about—instead, they’re concepts that drive us to take action. Our Diversity and Inclusion initiatives inspire us to educate, create meaningful and collaborative opportunities for employees, and build a workplace and community where everyone is seen, heard, and uplifted.

Over the years, we’ve highlighted our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are groups of employees who share characteristics, backgrounds, and interests. ERGs are open to all employees, no matter how you identify. When you join as a member, you help contribute to the success of our organization and drive engagement, resulting in a more inclusive environment.

One way we’ve increased the visibility of our ERGs is through our Celebration in a Box initiative. The Celebrations Committee of our Diversity and Inclusion Council connects with ERGs for important months or cultural celebrations to curate a list of core and optional items that teams or sites can purchase to highlight diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The “boxes” contain educational, cultural, and decorative items hand-selected by the ERG members to inspire opportunities to learn and connect. So far, we’ve highlighted Hispanic Heritage Month, Veterans Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, AAPIDA-AAPI Heritage

Month, and PRIDE Month. Keep an eye out for EVOLVE and YP’s Celebration in a Box, which will be coming later this year. A special thanks to our Strategic Sourcing team for making all this possible.

Last October, we hit the road to ensure our field employees had a seat at the table. Our Diversity and Inclusion Council Road Trip took us to nine locations across North America to connect with you

and hear how we could make a lasting impact. Along the way, we gained invaluable insights, celebrated cultural milestones, and strengthened the bonds that make our organization thrive. Each location offered unique perspectives on incorporating Diversity and Inclusion into daily operations, from building connections across sites to leveraging Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) more effectively. Together, we’ll continue to shape a culture where diversity and inclusion thrive—for every employee and across every line of our business.

Scan this QR code to learn more about our ERGs.

Investing in talent

Building brighter futures

For Ledwin Davila, working for a company that invests in young talent has meant more than just a job; it has been the launchpad for a career built on trust, growth, and purpose.

After moving from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania at 17 years of age, Ledwin started his technical career path working as an auto mechanic. Once Ledwin completed his senior year of high school, he enrolled in Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s Diesel Technician program. Thanks to NFI’s partnership with PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley, he then secured on-the-job training with NFI in August 2024.

At the beginning, Ledwin’s NFI journey was a little rocky.

A gift that grows NFI’s community impact

The NFI Foundation continues to support organizations dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders and recently pledged $50K to Camden Prep, a distinguished public school serving K-12 students across five campuses in Camden, NJ.

With this support, Camden Prep established a performing arts drama club, which has already enrolled ten students and continues to grow. Additionally, the newly launched monthly after-school enrichment program provides students with the opportunity to learn from guest speakers and participate in hands-on projects, fostering their creativity and personal development.

In the athletics department, Camden Prep now boasts two boys’ basketball teams, two girls’ basketball teams, and two cheerleading teams. The funds donated have granted these athletes access to new uniforms and equipment. But, the impact of these programs extends far beyond athletics and extracurricular activities; they’ve shaped students’ confidence, discipline, conflict-resolution skills, and sense of belonging.

“We are grateful to NFI for providing Camden Prep students with the opportunity to explore their passions and talents because we know it is one of the most effective ways to keep students engaged in school,” says Natalie Cooper, Camden Prep’s Board Chair. “Studies show organized and mentored after-school activities like those supported by NFI help to improve students’ social-emotional learning and also help our students reach their full potential.”

With this multi-year donation, the NFI Foundation has reinforced its commitment to education and student success. By investing in Camden Prep, the foundation is supporting immediate student needs and laying the foundation for a stronger, engaged, and empowered generation of future leaders.

Ledwin’s timid nature made communication difficult, and early on, foremen weren’t sure if he understood instructions. “Quiet is an understatement,” Devin Lehr, Ledwin’s supervisor, recalled. Recognizing the challenge, the team moved Ledwin to second shift and paired him with Kelvin Berrios, a more extroverted team member who also fluently communicated in Spanish, Ledwin’s first language. The pair’s shared experience level, in addition to Kelvin’s outgoing nature, created a new opportunity for Ledwin to bloom. He gained confidence, honed his technical skills, and became a key part of the team.

“They say first impressions are everything, but that’s not always the case,” said Devin. “Our goal is to ease the stress for new employees and give them a real chance to succeed.”

Ledwin’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed. In May 2025, he was honored with the Pennsylvania Workforce Development

Association Governor’s Achievement Award, celebrating his growth, dedication, and success. Investing in young talent isn’t just good business; it builds a foundation of trust and allows individuals to advance in their careers while engaging in meaningful work.

Ledwin testifies, “If you have a dream and you believe in yourself, anything is possible.” (Si tienes un sueño y crees en ti, todo es posible.)

“Our goal is to ease the stress for new employees and give them a real chance to succeed.”

Ledwin Davila Auto Mechanic, NFI

Highlights at NFI

Congratulations to the graduates of Becoming a Facilitator: Elevating Your Practice! Held in Irving, TX, this program equips warehouse trainers with essential skills to foster team development and drive operational excellence.

The 2025 Transportation Managers meeting was successful in driving continued collaboration and dedication to set the tone for the year.

Congratulations to the graduates of NFI’s Operational Leadership Program! Over 14 weeks, these talented individuals honed their financial acumen, coaching, and innovation skills while developing impactful continuous improvement projects.

SickKids is leading the charge by driving medical advancements for children in Canada and beyond. NFI is proud to have donated $10,000 to 11 different organizations in our major hubs in the spirit of the giving season.

We’re proud to be named Target’s 2024 Drayage Carrier of the Year! This recognition reflects our Port Services teams’ dedication, agility, and collaboration.

Our Camden team proudly wore pink this Women’s History Month to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women who’ve shaped our world!

Congratulations to our associates from Groveport, OH, who participated in the ONE Program, re-establishing a LEAN foundation.

Congratulations to Bryan Stewart, Talent Acquisition Manager, for being recognized by TopRecruiter.co as a Top 50 Recruiter in North America!

In honor of Pride Month, our Camden office team members showed up in the Pride flag colors to celebrate love, authenticity, and inclusion.

We inducted 14 company drivers last year into our Haul of Fame, a recognition granted for two million miles or twenty years of accident-free driving with NFI. Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to safety have set a new standard for excellence.

Several NFI employees from the maintenance team, including Allentown Shop employees Dylan Moore, Lead Technician, and Matt Banchs, Parts/Service Writer, recently had the opportunity to spend the weekend at the NASCAR race in the Poconos, hosted by Mack Trucks Experience!

Congratulations to our English Language Learners (ELL) program graduates at Site 659 in Ontario, CA! The class welcomed eight learners who showed incredible dedication throughout the sessions.

Congratulations to our Canadian team for being awarded Mars Carrier of the Year award for their outstanding partnership this past year!

We are honored to be recognized as Dollar General’s Inbound Drayage Carrier of the Year. Congratulations to the team for their dedication and their commitment to reliability, efficiency, and partnership.