# Automated Logistics Systems (ALS)

> Family-Owned 3PL & Broker · Jackson, MI · Founded 1992

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/automated-logistics-systems/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/automated-logistics-systems/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-05-08

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## Key facts

- Founded 1992 · headquartered in Jackson, MI
- Privately held
- FMCSA broker authority: **ACTIVE** (MC-222625)
- #74 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2026)
- Gross revenue: $236M per Transport Topics 2026
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, LTL, Flatbed, Air/Expedited

## About

Automated Logistics Systems (ALS) is a Jackson, Michigan-based family-owned freight broker and 3PL whose corporate roots trace to Parker Motor Freight, founded by Harry Parker in Boyne City, Michigan before the Great Depression. The current brokerage entity, Automated Logistics Systems, LLC, was established in 1992 and holds active FMCSA broker authority MC-222625 / USDOT 2214630. ALS ranks #74 on the 2026 Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerage Firms with $236M in gross brokerage revenue and $24M net (10.2% margin). The company operates across 15 locations with a workforce of 500–1,000 employees.

ALS positions itself as a continental end-to-end logistics partner specializing in non-asset transportation and value-added warehousing. Per Transport Topics 2026, primary modes are air/expedited, LTL, dry van truckload, and flatbed/heavy haul. The company maintains facilities in Jackson MI, Grand Rapids MI, and Laredo TX — the Laredo office anchors US/Mexico cross-border capability for automotive and manufacturing supply chains. ALS uses Descartes' foreign trade zone (FTZ) solution to help customers accelerate customs clearance and reduce costs for US imports.

For shippers evaluating ALS, the strongest fit is Michigan-based or Midwest-anchored manufacturers, automotive OEMs/Tier 1s, and importers with cross-border US/Mexico flows. The family-owned structure delivers consistent account stability — but the 10.2% net margin signals tight economics, suggesting ALS competes on regional density and service rather than premium pricing. Shippers needing intermodal, ocean, or pure West Coast capability may find better alternatives elsewhere.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | ✓ Active |
| LTL | ● Primary |
| Intermodal | Not offered |
| Flatbed | ● Primary |
| Air / Expedited | ● Primary |
| Bulk / Tank | Not offered |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2026

## FMCSA & Licensing

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| MC Number | MC-222625 |
| USDOT Number | USDOT 2214630 |
| Broker Authority | ● ACTIVE |
| Surety Bond | $75,000 BMC-84 · On File |

Verify status: https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov

## Coverage

All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Canada · 15 ALS locations

**Strongest lanes:**

- Michigan → Mexico via Laredo
- Michigan → Texas
- Midwest → Southeast
- Cross-border US/Mexico automotive corridors

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- Long operating history (corporate roots pre-Depression; ALS broker entity since 1992) — exceptional stability
- Strong Michigan and Midwest density — particularly automotive OEM/Tier 1 supply chains
- Cross-border US/Mexico capability anchored by Laredo, TX office
- FTZ (foreign trade zone) capability for import/export shippers via Descartes integration
- Family-owned structure — consistent ownership and account-management culture

**Common complaints:**

- 10.2% net margin (TT 2026) is among the lower end of the top 100 — limited margin cushion for premium service
- No intermodal, ocean, or cross-border Canada coverage
- Coverage strongest in Michigan/Midwest; thinner density on West Coast and Gulf Coast lanes
- No public instant-quoting platform — relationship-driven sales model
- Smaller scale than top-50 brokers — may not be optimal single-source for enterprise national programs

## FAQ

### Is Automated Logistics Systems (ALS) licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

Yes — Automated Logistics Systems, LLC holds active FMCSA broker authority MC-222625 / USDOT 2214630, registered in Jackson, MI. Family-owned with corporate roots pre-Depression. Verify current bond and authority status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov before tendering a load.

### What types of freight does ALS handle?

Per Transport Topics 2026, ALS covers air/expedited, LTL, dry van truckload, and flatbed/heavy haul. No intermodal or ocean. Strongest fit is Michigan/Midwest manufacturers, automotive OEMs/Tier 1s, and importers with US/Mexico cross-border or FTZ needs.

### How do ALS' rates compare to other freight brokers?

ALS reported $236M gross / $24M net brokerage revenue in 2026 — a 10.2% margin, on the lower end of the top 100. Pricing tends to be competitive on Michigan/Midwest core lanes; benchmark via ShipperGuide on lanes outside the regional core before committing.

## Best for

Michigan-based or Midwest-anchored manufacturers, automotive OEMs/Tier 1s, and importers needing cross-border US/Mexico capability and foreign trade zone support.

## Compare alternatives

- [EASE Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/ease-logistics/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · global networ…
- [Armstrong Transport Group](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/armstrong-transport-group/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico
- [Logistic Dynamics (LDi)](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/logistic-dynamics/) — Dry Van, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Cross-border…
- [Spot Freight](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/spot-freight/) — Dry Van, LTL, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states, strongest in M…
- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com