Over the years, R&S Logistics has grown from a small grassroots operation into one of the region’s most influential behind-the-scenes players in warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment. In a recent interview, Landon Pyle offered a closer look at the company’s mission, values and the work that keeps the team moving.
“R&S has had a unique story rooted in entrepreneurial endeavors, serving the customer, and creating custom solutions. Given an opportunity purchase a warehouse and lease it out, David Schmid, the founder, was asked by a tenant to help with logistical services. That’s where it all started, which you can read more about here. We proved ourselves in keeping a rail line active for 24/7 operations to this local manufacturing plant, and that started it all. We grew more and more across industries, product types, and customers. Today, we’re an active and growing 3PL provider in the Southeast offering warehousing, storage, fulfillment and distribution,” Landon said. “It was a humble, grassroots beginning back in 2001.”
The company’s name comes from its two original founders, Rhodes and Schmid, who have been pivotal in this area with providing services to customers from logistics to real estate to manufacturing. From the start, R&S Logistics positioned itself as a service-driven partner willing to take on projects others often decline. “We create custom solutions for our customers like big and bulky work, kitting and light assembly, and so much more,” shared Pyle.
One of the most rewarding parts of the job is seeing what most people never do. “It’s really cool to see the behind-the-scenes process and all the hands and hard work it takes to get products into people’s hands. Supply chain is really a part of our everyday life in everything we use from the food we eat to the clothes we wear.”
The owners take pride in watching the company grow, welcoming new team members and seeing employees accomplish difficult work together. Daily motivation comes from the shared rhythm of a job well done and getting things in and out to customers in a timely, efficient way.
“We’ve had tremendous support from local community partners, friends and business people in the industry who have influenced the company to get to where it’s at today,” said Pyle.
Community connection remains a priority. “Being a part of the Chamber and other places has been great for us. We’ve made lots of connections over the last 20 years, and staying connected to the community is very important to us,” shared Pyle.
The company also takes great pride in revitalizing old buildings and bringing new life to communities.
“We often take old, dilapidated buildings and give them some TLC. For us, it’s a great deal since real-estate is going fast in this world, and it’s savings we can ultimately pass on to our customers too. Our buildings revitalize communities by bringing jobs to the area, putting old buildings to a new fulfilling use and bringing awareness of supply chain and distribution to those communities,” shared Pyle. It’s really a win-win-win.
Pyle said one of the best parts of Monroe County is the people. “The people are so friendly and down to earth.”
Like many growing companies, R&S Logistics faces challenges with scaling and maintaining a unified culture across multiple locations. Streamlining operations as the company expands has been a learning experience.
“Our team has really learned how to have fun and keep telling the stories of the hard days because those are often the ones we learned the most from,” Landon said.
Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding into more specialized areas of the industry. R&S Logistics also operates sister businesses across East Tennessee and has a passion project many do not know about: revitalizing old buildings for commercial use.
Its five core values are Tenacity, Agility, Stewardship, Being Invested and Gratitude. They guide every decision. When asked to describe the business in three words, he said, “End to end logistics.”
Much of the company’s work happens out of sight. “Doing the behind-the-scenes of ecommerce fulfillment is one of our favorite things,” Pyle said. “It’s so cool to know we’re fulfilling orders for a unique apparel company that goes to the military or a cool celebrity. We’re the ones orchestrating that symphony, but most will never know about us.”
R&S Logistics prides itself on being a collaborative partner. “If we can help with unique needs, we’d love to collaborate. We’re open to making custom solutions and services for our customers,” he said.
Learn more about R&S Logistics at:
https://www.rswarehousingsolutions.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/r-s-logistics-inc
Best,
—
Casey Roths
Marketing | Sales | Business Development
M: (865) 205-1939
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