# PLS Logistics Services

> Flatbed & Heavy Haul Specialist · Cranberry Township, PA · Founded 1991

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/pls-logistics-services/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/pls-logistics-services/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-04-27

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## Key facts

- Founded 1991 · headquartered in Cranberry Township, PA
- Privately held
- FMCSA broker authority: **ACTIVE**
- #22 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2024)
- Gross revenue: $0.875B (est.) per Transport Topics 2024
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, Flatbed

## About

PLS Logistics Services is one of North America's leading flatbed and heavy haul freight brokers, headquartered near Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1991, PLS built its reputation by developing deep expertise in open-deck freight — flatbed, step deck, lowboy, and specialized equipment — serving the construction, manufacturing, steel, and industrial sectors that are concentrated in the PA–Ohio–Southeast manufacturing corridor. Today the company is consistently ranked among the top flatbed brokers in the Transport Topics Top 100.

PLS differentiates through expertise in complex loads: oversized and overweight freight requiring state permits, pilot car escorts, route surveys, and specialized equipment. This operational depth makes PLS a strong partner for shippers moving construction materials, industrial machinery, steel coil, wind energy components, and other freight that generalist brokers often handle poorly. Dry van and LTL brokerage round out the offering for shippers with mixed load profiles. Cross-border coverage extends to both Mexico and Canada.

The company operates PLS PRO, a shipper-facing technology platform for load tendering, tracking, and reporting, with EDI and API integration for enterprise accounts. While PLS competes against both large national brokers and regional flatbed specialists, its carrier network depth in open-deck equipment — particularly owner-operators running flatbed in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic — gives it a structural advantage on the freight types it specializes in.

## Load types

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

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2024

## FMCSA & Licensing

FMCSA broker authority for PLS Logistics Services is not yet in our records — verify directly at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching the legal entity name before tendering a load.

## Coverage

All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Canada

**Strongest lanes:**

- Southeast US (manufacturing corridors)
- Mid-Atlantic → Midwest
- Pennsylvania → Southeast
- Texas → Southeast
- Midwest industrial lanes

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- One of the top flatbed and heavy haul brokers in North America — deep expertise in open-deck freight requirements
- Strong capability in permits, pilot car escorts, and oversized/overweight load compliance
- Extensive flatbed carrier network in Southeast and Mid-Atlantic markets where industrial freight concentrates
- Cross-border coverage to both Mexico and Canada for shippers with international flatbed needs
- PLS PRO platform provides dedicated shipper portal with tracking and EDI/API integration

**Common complaints:**

- No refrigerated/reefer service — not suitable for temperature-controlled freight
- Limited intermodal or air freight capability — primarily a surface transport specialist
- Carrier network depth outside core flatbed lanes (Southeast, Mid-Atlantic) can be thinner
- Smaller scale than Tier 1 brokers — enterprise shippers needing national multi-mode coverage under one provider may need a supplemental broker relationship

## FAQ

### Is PLS Logistics Services licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

PLS Logistics Services holds active freight broker authority with the FMCSA and maintains a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond as required by federal law. FMCSA MC# and DOT# should be verified at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov before tendering any load — always confirm current active authority status directly with FMCSA.

### What types of freight does PLS Logistics move?

Per Transport Topics' Top 100 report, PLS Logistics primarily brokers flatbed/heavy haul and dry van TL freight. LTL is also an active service line. PLS does not broker refrigerated, intermodal, or air freight. Flatbed, oversized, and overweight freight — including loads requiring permits and pilot escorts — is the company's defining specialty.

### How do PLS Logistics rates compare to other flatbed brokers?

PLS Logistics' flatbed carrier network depth in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic can provide competitive access to capacity that generalist brokers struggle to cover — particularly for oversized or specialized equipment loads. For standard dry van, larger volume brokers may offer more competitive pricing. Use ShipperGuide to benchmark quotes from 50+ brokers in under a minute before committing to any rate.

## Best for

Shippers with significant flatbed, heavy haul, or oversized freight — especially in manufacturing, construction, and industrial sectors in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic where PLS's carrier network is strongest.

## Compare alternatives

- [Landstar System](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/landstar-system/) — 70,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 50 states · Mexico (Laredo logistics…
- [RXO (incl. Coyote Logistics)](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/rxo/) — 100,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Cana…
- [C.H. Robinson Worldwide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/ch-robinson-worldwide/) — 85,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 50 states · Mexico · Canada · 120+ c…
- [Command Transportation](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/command-transportation/) — Dry Van, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states
- [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