This month, a monumental milestone is on our calendar. STT Logistics Group is incredibly proud to celebrate our 10th anniversary—a full decade of connecting businesses, navigating complex challenges, and delivering the future, one shipment at a time. This isn’t just a celebration of a number; it’s a reflection on a journey built on hard work, dedication, and the unwavering trust of our clients and partners.
From an Unconventional Vision to a Reality
The path to founding a logistics company was far from a straight line for our CEO, André Corbert. His journey began at a call center that moved cars, where he met his future partner. Later, in early 2015, after a series of different ventures, his partner suggested they start their own freight brokerage. They were so confident that they thought they would be “millionaires in three months.” However, that didn’t happen. Instead, their hard work laid the foundation for the company’s launch on September 5, 2015.
The Need for Heavy Haul Expertise
We didn’t start in heavy haul logistics, but a request to move 13 heavy machines in early 2016, a project we “had no idea how to do,” showed us the need for a specialized niche. We quickly realized that heavy haul logistics was not a one-size-fits-all service. In fact, it demanded a deep understanding of engineering, regulatory compliance, and meticulous planning. Consequently, transporting oversized and overweight cargo comes with unique challenges, from acquiring special permits and coordinating police escorts to navigating complex routes and using specialized equipment. This complexity created a crucial gap in the market, which STT Logistics Group was founded to fill.
A Masterclass in Problem-Solving: From Canada to Nigeria
Our commitment to tackling difficult projects was put to the test early on. For example, we once had a client in Canada who had sold a machine to a customer in Nigeria. The challenge wasn’t just moving it across the continent; it was finding a company that could transport it from Canada to the nearest port and then by ship to Africa. Many companies refused the job, but we embraced the challenge. We found a carrier to move the machinery by road to the Port of Baltimore in the United States, and then we coordinated with a shipping line to get it on a boat. As André says, “It was a big problem,” but we solved it.
Navigating Our Biggest Challenge: A $300,000 Debt
Furthermore, in 2023, STT Logistics faced its most significant financial threat. A major client, who accounted for 24% of our annual sales, left us with an unpaid invoice of $300,000. We were on the verge of closing the business. However, instead of giving up, André took it upon himself to resolve the issue, making over 100 calls a day to the client. Through sheer determination, we were able to recover the debt and, by early 2024, had paid all our debts and restored our credit. This crisis was a turning point, strengthening our resolve and proving our resilience.
Our People: The Heart of Our Success
Although our company has grown, the core of our success has always been our people. Our team of logistics experts, planners, and on-the-ground professionals are the true driving force behind every successful delivery. Their passion for problem-solving and their relentless dedication to client satisfaction are what set us apart. We extend our deepest gratitude to every member of the STT team—past and present—for their tireless efforts. Ultimately, this anniversary is a tribute to their hard work and commitment.
Looking to the Next Decade: Innovation and a Public Vision
As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are already looking ahead. The logistics landscape is constantly changing, and we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. We are heavily investing in technology to enhance our services, including a new client portal for order tracking, invoicing, and accounting reports. We have also developed the STT Driver App, which uses biometric and AI verifications to ensure the identity of drivers and provides real-time tracking to combat cargo theft. We are building a company that is not only a leader in specialized logistics but also a symbol of growth and reliability.
Thank you for being part of our first ten years. We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together in the next decade.
