NST is an asset-based logistics company that owns its trucks, employs its drivers, and operates its own cold storage. This gives customers and agents full visibility, fewer delays, and real accountability.
In logistics, one of the biggest reasons freight gets delayed, damaged, or lost is this: too many people are involved.
When brokers hand freight off to random carriers and disconnected warehousing partners, communication can break down. Equipment standards vary. Accountability vanishes. And the customer is left chasing updates.
NST has set out to solve that problem. We’re asset-based—which means we own the freight process, start to finish.
From reefer trucks and drivers to cold storage and dispatch, NST runs its own show. And for our brokerage customers and freight agents, that means better control, safer freight, and faster delivery.
What Does “Asset-Based” Mean in Logistics?
In simple terms:
An asset-based carrier or broker owns its trucks, employs its drivers, and controls key infrastructure (like warehouses or cold storage).
A non-asset-based broker doesn’t own anything. They connect shippers to carriers but don’t move the freight themselves.
NST is Asset-Based — Here’s What That Means:
- We own and operate our own fleet of refrigerated trucks
- We employ our own drivers
- We manage our own cold storage facilities (Fife, WA — Chicago, IL — Los Angeles, CA)
- We maintain our trucks in our own repair shop
- We provide brokerage services, but we’re not outsourcing everything
If we don’t haul a load with our trucks, it’s handled by trusted partners we oversee directly—never blindly handed off.
Why Asset-Based Logistics Beats Third-Party Outsourcing
Let’s say you’re a shipper moving frozen seafood across the country. You need consistency. You need temperature control. And you need real answers when things go wrong.
Here’s how working with NST helps you avoid the usual headaches:
1. Fewer Delays from Reliable Equipment
NST maintains its trucks and reefers in-house. Our repair team performs regular inspections and preventive maintenance, so equipment is rarely down.
- You’re not at the mercy of aging trailers from unknown carriers
- No last-minute breakdowns that push delivery into next week
- You save time and protect product quality
2. Drivers You Can Trust
We don’t farm your load out to the lowest bidder. NST employs experienced, professional drivers trained on cold freight and food safety.
- Our drivers know how to handle reefer freight correctly
- Our dispatchers talk to our people — not strangers
- You get consistent, professional service on every lane
3. Real-Time Visibility
Because NST controls the trucks, the trailers, and the dispatch, we can give you accurate updates at every step.
- Live GPS + temperature tracking
- Transparent check-in and delivery updates
- No guessing who has your freight
4. Cold Storage Without Middlemen
Our strategic cold storage facilities in Fife, WA, Chicago, IL, and Los Angeles, CA, are owned and operated by NST.
That means:
- We control the loading schedule
- We consolidate loads in-house
- We can transload directly from port containers
- Your freight never leaves NST’s hands
5. Lower Risk, Higher Accountability
When something goes wrong in a non-asset-based model, everyone points fingers. You get stuck chasing brokers, carriers, and warehouses—none of whom take responsibility.
At NST, there’s no passing the buck: we own the problem, and we solve it.
Why This Matters to Freight Agents
If you're a freight agent trying to grow your book of business, you’ve probably run into one of these problems:
- A good customer churned because of bad carriers
- Reefer loads spoiled or arrived late
- You lost credibility because of things outside your control
- You couldn’t offer cold storage or LTL consolidation
NST gives you a better way to win and keep accounts.
Here’s how we help agents succeed:
- Dedicated reefer lanes across the U.S. and Canada
- Access to our cold storage network
- Built-in capacity for LTL and FTL frozen/fresh loads
- Back-end support from dispatchers, warehouse managers, and repair techs
- Fast payouts, real communication, and team alignment
You stay independent. We give you the tools to compete like a top-tier broker—with real muscle behind your service.
Our Cold Chain Infrastructure Sets Us Apart
Most brokers don’t even touch the freight. We handle it. We load it. We haul it. We deliver it.
Our cold chain is built for speed and safety:
- Reefer trailers with GPS + real-time temp tracking
- 3 cold storage hubs for staging, sorting, and consolidation
- A network of secure, gated yards for staging freight
- Modern tractors and reefers maintained in-house
- Multi-temp capability for diverse LTL loads
You’re not trusting a dozen different vendors with your cold freight. It’s just NST — from end to end.
Comparing NST to the Typical 3PL Model
When you compare NST’s asset-based model to a traditional 3PL, the differences are obvious.
- NST owns its own trucks and employs its own drivers, while most 3PLs don’t own any equipment at all.
- We operate our own cold storage facilities in strategic locations, unlike brokers who rely on third-party warehouses with inconsistent availability.
- Our temperature tracking is real-time and integrated, while non-asset brokers often depend on whatever system their carriers use—if any.
- Handoff risk is minimal with NST because your freight stays in our control.
- With traditional 3PLs, freight is passed from one provider to the next, increasing the chance of delays, errors, or spoilage.
- Our communication is direct and unified, not fragmented across multiple companies.
And most importantly, accountability at NST is clear—we own the freight, the equipment, and the outcome. With a 3PL, you’re often left wondering who’s responsible when something goes wrong.
NST for Shippers: Less Hassle, More Control
When you ship with NST, you’re not just buying a rate — you’re buying control.
- A truck that shows up on time
- A driver who understands the freight
- Cold storage space ready when you need it
- A broker who’s not just making calls — but running the operation
Whether you’re shipping every day or once a week, you get consistent service backed by real infrastructure. No guesswork. No gaps. No middlemen.
NST for Agents: Grow Your Book with Confidence
We work with independent freight agents who are tired of apologizing for problems they didn’t cause.
When you partner with NST, you’re representing:
- A company with real reefer lanes
- On-site cold storage
- Secure equipment
- Proven reliability
We help you say yes to more freight — and deliver results that build loyalty.
Who We Serve
Our asset-based model is built for shippers and agents who care about:
- Food safety and cold chain compliance
- On-time delivery
- Clear communication
- Reefer LTL or FTL
- End-to-end visibility
- Avoiding third-party breakdowns and excuses
If that’s your priority, you’ll fit right in.
Let’s Move Freight the Right Way
We built NST to be the partner we wish we had when we were shippers.
If you’re ready to stop chasing carriers, waiting on brokers, or apologizing for late loads, NST is here to help.
You bring the freight. We bring the trucks, the team, and the cold chain infrastructure to move it right.
Get a quote. Set a lane. Grow your operation.
Whether you're a shipper or a freight agent, NST is the asset-based partner that delivers—literally.
