“Chicago is one of the most important markets in our global shipping network.” That’s what Mike Short, president of Global Forwarding at C.H. Robinson, said. Today, we’re exploring C.H. Robinson right here in Chicago. This logistics giant has deep roots in the city and a significant global presence.
C.H. Robinson’s story began in the early 1900s. Charles Henry Robinson owned a small produce brokerage in North Dakota and Minnesota. He partnered with the Nash brothers in 1905. This partnership marked the beginning of the C.H. Robinson Company.
The company initially focused on produce. It became the procurement arm for Nash Finch Company. C.H. Robinson expanded into Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas. After Robinson’s death in 1909, the Nash Brothers took control.
Later, the company split into two due to regulatory issues. One company, C.H. Robinson Co., was owned by its employees. The other, C.H. Robinson, Inc., remained with Nash Finch. C.H. Robinson’s entry into trucking followed the Federal Highway Act of 1956.
By the mid-1960s, the two C.H. Robinson entities consolidated. Employees eventually bought out Nash Finch’s stake. The company embraced technology, adopting IBM mainframes in 1979.
Transportation deregulation in 1980 changed the landscape. C.H. Robinson adapted by creating a contract carrier program. They became a major middleman for shippable goods.
The company experienced rapid growth. Its average annual growth, measured in truckloads, more than doubled. Within five years, C.H. Robinson posted over $700 million in sales.
In 1997, the company became C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. It launched an IPO that raised $190 million. The firm began trading on NASDAQ under the symbol CHRW.
C.H. Robinson has continuously expanded. They opened an office in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1989. Acquisitions like C.S. Greene International and American Backhaulers, Inc., strengthened their position.
In 2015, C.H. Robinson celebrated its 100th anniversary in Chicago. The company nearly doubled its Chicago headcount since 2005. Chicago employees account for almost 15% of its global workforce.
The company built a three-story office building in Lincoln Park. It is a 207,000-square-foot facility for over 1,000 employees. C.H. Robinson also leased a 235,000-square-foot facility in Des Plaines. This served as a major freight consolidation hub. The Des Plaines facility included a TSA Certified Cargo Screening facility.
C.H. Robinson’s Navisphere platform allows customers to track freight. This technology-enabled platform enhances supply chain management. C.H. Robinson has become a logistics powerhouse. Its Chicago presence is vital to its global operations.
C.H. Robinson’s story exemplifies growth and adaptation. From a small produce brokerage to a global logistics leader, the company has come far. Its commitment to Chicago is clear. It continues to invest in the city. As we conclude our visit, remember C.H. Robinson’s century-long journey. It’s a story of innovation, expansion, and a deep connection to Chicago.