Hardinger Integrated Logistics

This past Friday, we wrapped up our very first IGNITION Internship Program, and what an incredible way to end the summer!

Our interns, Jabu, Kadence, and Marin, spent their final morning presenting the projects they developed throughout the summer to our leadership team, followed by a well-deserved celebration lunch.

Their journey began with a two-week rotation through each of our affiliates, where they gained hands-on experience and a true understanding of end-to-end logistics. From warehousing and transportation to brokerage, equipment services, and support functions, they experienced firsthand what it takes to keep our business moving. They then selected a project where they could make a meaningful impact and spent the rest of the summer turning ideas into action.

Each of them brought something unique to the team:
🔹 Marin, an Industrial & Systems Engineering major, brought a passion for innovation and process improvement. Her forward-thinking approach and It's Handled mindset helped identify opportunities to improve warehouse operations.
🔹 Jabu, studying Mechanical Engineering and Entrepreneurship, impressed us with his knowledge of AI and emerging technology. His tech-forward perspective and Making it Easy mindset helped drive meaningful improvements in our Crate Shop.
🔹 Kadence, our Marketing & Sales Intern, used her creativity and Team Powered mindset to develop a social media strategy that will continue to shape how we tell our story long after her internship ends.

Beyond their projects, what stood out most was their curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to jump in wherever they were needed. They asked great questions, embraced every opportunity to learn, and made a lasting impact on our team and culture.

To our very first IGNITION intern class, thank you for helping us build something special! You set the bar incredibly high, and your contributions will continue to make an impact well beyond this summer. We can't wait to see where your careers take you, and we'll be cheering you on every step of the way. Best of luck, Jabu, Kadence, and Marin, you'll be missed!

Supply chains don't fail because of one big disruption. They struggle when small challenges begin to stack up.

Today, many manufacturers and distributors are facing the same pressures:
• Rising transportation costs
• Higher warehouse utilization
• Inventory balancing challenges
• Uncertainty around future demand

The companies navigating these challenges most successfully aren't reacting faster—they're planning smarter.

That means building flexibility into every part of the supply chain:
✔ Reliable transportation partners
✔ Real-time inventory visibility
✔ Flexible warehouse capacity
✔ Integrated logistics strategies that adapt as business changes

At Hardinger Integrated Logistics, along with our affiliates, we believe logistics should provide confidence—not complexity. When transportation, warehousing, and logistics technology work together, businesses gain the visibility and flexibility they need to keep moving forward.

The strongest supply chains aren't necessarily the biggest; they're the most adaptable.

How is your organization preparing for the next shift in the supply chain?

We were pleased to welcome Renee Wood from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (), along with members of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (), to Hardinger Integrated Logistics for a tour of our operations.

Renee serves as an Economic Development Analyst, helping Pennsylvania manufacturers connect with funding opportunities, economic development programs, and resources that support growth, innovation, and investment. Together with the NWIRC team, the visit provided an opportunity to discuss the needs of manufacturers throughout our region and how organizations can work together to strengthen our local economy.

We appreciate the time Renee and the NWIRC team spent with us and are grateful for organizations that are committed to helping Pennsylvania manufacturers and supply chain partners succeed. Strong collaboration between industry and economic development organizations is key to building an even stronger future for our region.

🌴 "Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes." 🌴
The weather may have changed our latitude, but it never changed our attitude.

A big thank you to everyone who weathered the storm and helped make last night's 8 Great Tuesdays featuring A1A – The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show a success!

After every storm comes a rainbow, and we're grateful to be part of a community that always knows how to keep the island spirit alive. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, and to all who made the evening one to remember.

Supply chain pressure eased in June, but uncertainty has not disappeared.
The New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index declined from 1.81 in May to 1.25 in June. That is encouraging, but pressure remains elevated.
For shippers and manufacturers, improving conditions create an opportunity to evaluate:
• Where did visibility break down?
• Which lanes or suppliers created risk?
• Did inventory and warehousing strategies provide enough flexibility?
Resilient supply chains are strengthened between disruptions. The organizations that use this time to improve visibility, evaluate options, and prepare will be better positioned when conditions change again.

🥎 The HarDINGERS are officially on the board! 🥎

Last night marked the first official game of the season for the HarDINGERS—our softball team proudly sponsored by our affiliate, Hardinger Warehousing, and built from team members across our affiliates.

The HarDINGERS lived up to their name, putting some solid swings on the ball and bringing plenty of energy to kick off the season. The result? A hard-fought tie in game one—but more importantly, momentum for what’s shaping up to be a great season ahead.

One of the highlights of the night was the fan section—bringing serious energy from start to finish. The wave even made its way from the stands down to the dugout, which might be a first in league history.

Game one: tied. Season outlook: strong. 💪🥎That’s Team Powered—at work and beyond!

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 IGNITION Intern Cohort!

Over the past two weeks, our interns have immersed themselves in every corner of the Hardinger family of companies, rotating through Hardinger Warehousing, Hardinger Trucking, HIL, EQPT Services, and Hardinger Brokerage/TMS. Along the way, they gained firsthand exposure to the full logistics lifecycle, shadowed industry professionals, and participated in hands-on tasks that helped them better understand our operations and the vital role each affiliate plays in serving our clients.

What has impressed us most is the strong foundation of knowledge, curiosity, and fresh perspectives they brought with them from day one. By combining their backgrounds with the insights gained during their rotations and collaboration with our team members, they are now beginning the IGNITION phase of the program—leading meaningful initiatives designed to create real business value.

This group has already made a positive impression, and we couldn't be more excited to see what they accomplish this summer. They are helping launch what we hope will be a successful internship program for years to come, and we are proud to have them on the team.

Welcome to IGNITION🔥

Our Organizational Development team had a great time attending the Erie Regional Job Fair at Girard High School!

Events like these are a great reminder of how many driven, talented individuals are exploring their next steps, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.

A big thank you to Jennifer Pontzer for connecting us to this opportunity and helping make the event such a success. We truly appreciate the partnership!

For those considering alternatives to college, we want to emphasize that there are rewarding career paths available right here. At Hardinger, we offer opportunities to grow, build valuable skills, and establish a strong career foundation.

If you or someone you know is exploring what’s next, we’d love to connect: https://hubs.ly/Q04f9Y8m0

Safety is never static; it evolves through learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Leaders from across our Hardinger affiliates recently attended the National Interstate Safety Summit in Cleveland, joining more than 400 professionals focused on advancing safety across operations.

Over the two-day event, our team gained fresh perspectives from expert speakers, explored evolving technologies, and took part in conversations centered on strengthening programs, refining processes, and identifying practical, real-world improvements. Opportunities like this allow us to keep building on the strong culture we’re proud of, while bringing back ideas that help us continue to elevate how we operate.

The learning didn’t stop when the sessions wrapped up; conversations carried into the evening of day one at the Cleveland Guardians game, providing a relaxed setting to take in the experience.

And to close things out on a fun note—our Safety Director of Hardinger Trucking, Doug Ladds, was called to the stage as a drawing winner. A great (and lucky!) way to wrap up the event.

We appreciate National Interstate Insurance Company for hosting a well-executed summit that continues to bring together leading voices in safety, along with the speakers and professionals who shared their expertise throughout the event.

At Hardinger, we remain committed to learning, improving, and leading with safety—every day.

Honored to welcome Mayor Daria Devlin and Senator Dan Laughlin to Hardinger Integrated Logistics!

Yesterday we hosted local and economic partners for a facility tour and conversation on how integrated logistics supports regional growth. Proud to play a role in strengthening Erie’s business community and future.