With visionary thinking, strategic expertise, and commitment to excellence in transportation and logistics, Steven T. Huntley, President and Founder of Resource Logistics Group, Inc. (RLG), has built a reputation as a leading expert in transportation and logistics management. With a distinguished career that includes serving as Vice President of Global Transportation for Tyco International, where he managed a staggering $1.2 billion transportation budget. Steve has played a crucial role in optimizing logistics and reducing costs for numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Steve’s expertise lies in negotiating transportation contracts, pricing, and rules/accessorials across all modes of transportation, including small parcel, less-than-truckload (LTL), full-truckload (FTL), ocean freight, and air freight for both international and domestic shipments. His skills extend to crafting transportation agreements for companies shipping within European and Asian territories, ensuring that his clients’ logistical operations are both cost-effective and efficient.
At Resource Logistics Group, Steve’s goal is to collaborate with selective clients who are open to overhauling and reducing their transportation expenditures. By partnering with quality carriers and updating existing logistical structures, he enables clients to maintain their day-to-day operations while enhancing their relationships with carriers. As President, Steve ensures that all freight carriers understand each client’s specific needs, allowing them to meet or exceed expectations.
Steve’s educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements. He holds an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and dual undergraduate degrees in International Business and Transportation/Logistics Management from Northeastern University, graduating with honors in all three disciplines. Additionally, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Logistics/Supply Chain Management from Northeastern University.
Steve’s impact on the industry is not limited to his corporate roles. He has been a guest speaker at various undergraduate and graduate Supply Chain Management classes at Northeastern University and other events in the logistics and supply chain sector. His contributions were recognized in 2004 when he won the “One Tyco” Strategic Sourcing Award for leading a sourcing project that saved over $11 million annually and was implemented at over 1,500 locations in just three weeks.
Under Steve’s leadership, Resource Logistics Group has been featured in prominent publications like Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg, and MarketWatch. He is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), Nasstrac, the South Florida Manufacturers Association, the Golden Key National Honor Society, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for MBA/Graduate Students.
Comprehensive Back-Office Logistics Services
Steve shares that Resource Logistics Group offers a comprehensive range of “back-office” logistics management and support services, designed to assist clients with their transportation needs without the need for day-to-day shipment management. These services include:
- Benchmarking Transportation Contracts: Evaluating current transportation contracts, pricing, and accessorial charges.
- RFQ/Bidding Process Management: Overseeing the entire bidding/RFQ process for all transportation modes, and assisting in the implementation of new contracts and pricing negotiated with carrier partners.
- Ongoing Contract and Pricing Management: Providing support in managing transportation contracts and pricing once established.
- Monthly Logistical Reporting: Delivering detailed monthly reports that highlight spending and identify opportunities for further cost reductions.
- Transportation Management System (TMS): Offering a low-cost TMS solution to clients.
- Freight Invoicing Issue Resolution: Resolving invoicing discrepancies when carriers fail to bill according to negotiated contracts and pricing.
- Freight Claim Management: Handling freight claims on behalf of clients.
- Advanced Logistics Analysis and Reporting: Providing specialized logistics analysis and reporting beyond basic monthly summaries.
Steve emphasizes that the company’s growth strategy involves expanding these services to new clients. Resource Logistics Group is also in the process of licensing its proprietary LTL Bid Software to clients and third-party logistics providers (3PLs). This software is noted for being the fastest platform globally for LTL bid analysis, enabling clients to implement new pricing quickly and efficiently.
In addition to the LTL Bid Software, the company plans to roll out Freight Claims Management software to the public later in 2024, further enhancing their service offerings.
Optimizing Logistics
Steve Huntley highlights the major innovative services that Resource Logistics Group offers, which are designed to help clients optimize their logistics management and reduce costs:
- Benchmarking: The company evaluates current transportation contracts, pricing, and accessorial charges to ensure clients are getting the best possible deals.
- Data Transformation: Resource Logistics Group takes clients’ raw data and turns it into actionable information, enabling them to significantly reduce their overall logistics expenditures.
- Proprietary LTL Bid Analysis Software: Their innovative software is the fastest platform available for LTL bid analysis, allowing clients to implement new pricing quickly and efficiently.
- Transportation Management System (TMS) Software: Through their partnership with MercuryGate, Resource Logistics Group offers a comprehensive TMS solution that helps clients streamline their transportation management processes.
- Logistics Reporting: The company provides all types of logistics reporting, giving clients the tools they need to control and manage their overall transportation costs effectively.
These services are designed to not only improve efficiency but also drive cost savings for their clients, making Resource Logistics Group a valuable partner in logistics management.
Transforming Transportation
Steve shares the vision behind the founding of Resource Logistics Group, Inc. (RLG). Originally established in 2009 under the name SCML Logistics (Supply Chains Made Logical), the company aimed to connect with a diverse range of clients by offering specialized logistics management services. In 2018, the company rebranded to Resource Logistics Group, Inc., a name that better reflects its role as a critical “Resource” for clients in managing all “back-office” logistics functions.
As the Founder and President of RLG, Steve brings a wealth of experience in logistics and supply chain management, with a strong focus on negotiating transportation contracts and pricing. Alongside his team, Steve leverages in-depth knowledge in analyzing transportation data and identifying opportunities to reduce costs across all modes of transportation.
Steve’s decision to establish RLG came after more than 15 years in the corporate world, where he recognized that the skills he and his team possessed could significantly benefit companies by reducing their overall transportation and logistics expenditures. Since its inception, RLG has successfully helped clients save over $185 million on transportation costs, all while maintaining the quality of service from their chosen suppliers.
Cultivating Innovation and Efficiency
Steve highlights the importance of fostering innovation within companies by working closely with employees to develop new, efficient processes without compromising service quality or product standards. At Resource Logistics Group, Inc. (RLG), the focus is not just on customer satisfaction but on achieving customer “delight.” Steve is committed to encouraging his team members to think smarter, work more efficiently, and have the flexibility to implement innovative strategies in their daily tasks.
Steve’s role as a leader involves guiding his team to excel in their respective roles. He ensures this by:
- Clearly defining each team member’s roles and responsibilities.
- Actively seeking their feedback on how they can contribute to the organization.
- Providing continuous feedback on their performance.
- Encouraging them to introduce new methods that improve operations both internally for RLG and externally for their clients.
- Serving as a coach and mentor, aiding in their development as logistics professionals.
- Celebrating their successes and rewarding their contributions to the overall success of RLG and its clients.
Through this leadership approach, Steve aims to cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation at RLG, ensuring the company’s continued success and the satisfaction of its clients.
The Lifelong Pursuit of Learning and Self-Improvement
Steve shares the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement in his journey as a business leader. He consistently reads books and articles about what makes great leaders excel, and he actively incorporates these insights into his daily interactions with both his team and clients. Steve believes that staying informed about current events, both within and outside the logistics industry, is crucial for understanding the broader societal environment and its impact on business.
Steve also reflects on qualities he finds lacking in some of today’s emerging leaders. He notes a need for greater willingness to listen, the ability to provide candid feedback without offending others, and the practice of leading by example. By addressing these gaps, Steve believes that emerging leaders can develop into more effective and empathetic leaders, capable of guiding their teams and organizations toward long-term success.
Enhancing Transparency in Supply Chain Collaboration
Steve is passionate about fostering a society where respect for differing views and opinions is paramount. He believes that everyone has unique perspectives, whether political, personal, or professional, and that taking the time to understand others’ viewpoints, while having them respectfully understand ours, is crucial. Steve emphasizes that not everyone will agree on everything, but it is this diversity of thought that enriches our society. He believes that if people showed more respect towards each other despite differing opinions, it would significantly improve societal harmony.
In the realm of supply chain management, Steve sees room for improvement in the collaboration between shippers and carriers. He advocates for full transparency, where all relevant information is shared openly.
According to Steve, this level of openness is essential for shippers and manufacturers to reduce costs and for carriers and logistics providers to offer services at reasonable and profitable rates. By developing collaborative relationships and partnerships based on transparency, Steve believes the industry can achieve greater efficiency and mutual success.
Taking the Leap
For Steve, the happiest part of his daily routine is starting the day with a three to four-mile walk alongside his wife and lifelong partner. This morning ritual not only energizes him but also provides a cherished time for them to share ideas, aspirations, and plans for their relationship, professional lives, and family. It’s a simple yet profound way for Steve to begin each day on a positive note.
Steve reflects on the greatest risk he has taken in his professional life: starting his own business. He acknowledges that without the unwavering support of his wife and family, Resource Logistics Group might not have become the successful company it is today. Their encouragement and belief in his vision have been instrumental in building his career and the company.
The key is Finding Fulfillment and Growth in Your Career
When advising those just beginning their careers, Steve underlines the importance of genuinely enjoying both the work they do and the company they work for. Given that many people spend more time at work than with their families, finding fulfillment in one’s profession and workplace is crucial.
Additionally, Steve advises young professionals to own up to their mistakes. He believes that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and an essential aspect of personal and professional growth. By admitting and learning from these mistakes, individuals can become better at what they do, ultimately leading to greater success and satisfaction in their careers.
