Small Business Profile: Atlantic Logistics

2 MIN READ

This article appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of JAXPORT Magazine.

Named one of Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies in America and one of the Top 25 Logistics Companies by the Jacksonville Business Journal, Atlantic Logistics has earned a stellar reputation in the highly competitive field of logistics management by doing a few things very well. The company handles flatbed, truckload, less-than-truckload, refrigerated, specialized and government cargo, with more than 70 percent of its work in flatbed.

In 2001, Atlantic Logistics was a three-man show operating out of a 12-by-12 office in Bob and Evie Hooper’s Jacksonville home. Bob Hooper was transitioning from a long career in trucking, most recently as an executive with Core Carriers, and the couple decided it was time to fulfill their dream of creating their own signature enterprise. Today, the logistics firm has a much larger office with 20 employees, and is on track to exceed $15 million in sales, up 7.3 percent from 2016. Bob retired when his son Rob took over as CEO in 2008. Co-founder Evie, Rob’s mom, remains company president.

“We recently celebrated 16 years in business. Our growth has been slow and steady. We have purposely maintained a flat, lean organization so that even through the economic downturn, we did not lay off a single employee,” said Rob Hooper.

Though company staff has expanded well beyond family, Atlantic Logistics still maintains a family-like atmosphere. An important company philosophy, said Hooper, is “Do unto others.”

This philosophy also extends into the larger community. In October, Atlantic Logistics delivered 387 truckloads of FEMA relief to Jacksonville for Hurricane Maria victims. The shipments were received by Crowley Maritime Corporation, who moved them to Puerto Rico from JAXPORT.

“These types of projects, while extremely challenging with long hours and high pressure, are extremely rewarding in knowing that we are helping our fellow Americans,” said Hooper.

Atlantic Logistics handles shipments from all over the U.S., and its longstanding relationship with JAXPORT has been central to its growth. “Because we specialize in flatbed freight, we handle a lot of construction materials out of JAXPORT’s Talleyrand terminal as well as Ro/Ro cargo such as cars and equipment,” said Hooper. “The different companies that lease from the port have been huge partners for us.”

The company is on the verge of rolling out its own trucking arm, under the umbrella Atlantic Logistics Trucking. This will allow for a different dynamic that will include better accessibility for customers and expanding to handle additional services such as drayage.

“We are excited to be positioned to have a bigger local presence in Jacksonville,” said Hooper.

Connect with Atlantic Logistics at www.shipatlantic.com.