ODW Logistics leveraged Cargado’s platform and carrier network to find specialized hazmat capacity, reduce costs, and confidently expand their Mexico services.
Results TLDR
- A more competitive market rate on a critical hazmat lane that runs weekly from Mexico City to Columbus, Ohio.
- A more competitive market rate on a monthly Mexico-to-Canada lane.
- Rapid sourcing of a specialized hazmat-certified Mexico carrier in days, not weeks.
The challenge: Finding reliable hazmat capacity in Mexico
ODW Logistics, a national third-party logistics provider, manages several cross-border lanes for a key customer, including dedicated, high-volume lanes out of Mexico City that serve both Canada and ODW’s warehouse facilities in Columbus, Ohio.
Ryan Parke, ODW’s procurement manager, needed to source new capacity. The search wouldn’t be easy. Moving hazardous materials from Mexico City to Columbus meant navigating strict carrier qualifications and regulatory sensitivities. The freight required specialized handling, and many Mexico-based carriers were hesitant to engage with non-CTPAT-certified shippers because of the heightened risk. “That made it more of a needle in a haystack,” Ryan says.
The partner: Cargado connected the team with the right carrier at the right time
Ryan connected with Cargado. As volume began to increase, the ODW Logistics team saw an opportunity with Cargado to source a new carrier for the Mexico City-to-Columbus lane. ODW needed a flexible partner that could move fast.
“This is truly opening doors with both existing and new clients. Our partnership with Cargado has significantly expanded our transportation solutions into Mexico and Canada, and the response has been incredible.”
— Ryan Parke, Procurement Manager, ODW Logistics
The result: Faster sourcing, competitive market rates, and stronger service
Right away, Cargado surfaced a carrier with hazmat certifications, consistent capacity near Mexico City, and an interest in running regular freight into the Midwest. Even better? The rate came in below what they had previously accepted. ODW now passes these savings on to the customer.
Ryan says the carrier hit the road running with no service disruptions, which was critical for a customer delivering to major retailers like Walmart and Target. The carrier has now built relationships with the customs broker and the shipper’s on-site team in Mexico City. “It’s a very collaborative process,” Ryan said, “And it’s helped the overall service we’re giving to our customer, with savings they didn’t have previously.”
Through Cargado’s expanded coverage to Canada, ODW also found a new carrier for Ryan’s Mexico City-to-Canada lane at a rate that delivered additional savings compared to what another broker had quoted. “This was another lane opportunity where there were significant savings back to our client,” Ryan says.
What matters just as much as the savings is the service. Ryan says the carriers they’ve matched with through Cargado are responsive, communicative, and meet ODW’s service expectations. ODW onboarded both carriers to its tracking technology for real-time visibility. “Communication is always on point,” he said. “If we need to reach out for something, they’re very quick to respond. If they hit delays, they’re quick to communicate what the delay is and how long they expect to be delayed. And the service metrics have been great.”
For the ODW team, Cargado has become a strategic lever for growth.
“This is truly opening doors with both existing and new clients,” Ryan says. “Our partnership with Cargado has significantly expanded our transportation solutions into Mexico and Canada, and the response has been incredible.”
About ODW Logistics
ODW Logistics is a national third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in freight consolidation and integrated supply chain solutions. They help businesses streamline freight management by consolidating shipments from multiple shippers, enabling efficient, cost-effective delivery to mass retailers.
Their comprehensive services include supply chain optimization, warehousing and distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, and transportation management. Through strategic planning and tailored solutions, we reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ensure reliable product delivery.
ODW Logistics is committed to building trusted partnerships, leveraging advanced technology, and empowering our teams to drive operational excellence. We help our clients turn logistics challenges into growth opportunities.