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Janel Group

“Can a publicly-traded, multi-branch US freight forwarder and customs broker scale into a best-in-class national logistics platform through acquisitions, technology investment, and asset-based lending?”

Founded1974
HQLynbrook, NY, USA
IndustryLogistics / Freight Forwarding
The story

Founded in 1974 as a New York City freight forwarder and customs broker, Janel Group expanded nationally through branch openings across the 1980s–1990s. It went public in 2000 via OTC listing under parent Janel Corporation (JANL). Under new leadership from 2013, the company invested in technology infrastructure (CargoWise, Logixboard, Value Portal) and pursued acquisition-led growth, adding subsidiaries like Expedited Logistics and Freight Services (ELFS) and Airschott. The company's embedded finance posture is that of a borrower and AP automation user, not an embedded finance provider — relying on Santander ABL facilities for working capital and Melio for accounts payable.

Last 12 months
2024-06
2025-12
Product timeline
1974
Founded in New York City as a full-service air and ocean freight forwarder and customs broker.· pivot
1979
National expansion with first branch offices in Chicago and Los Angeles.· pivot
1994
Opened Atlanta office, completing a Southeast Region presence.· pivot
2000
Became a public company; parent Janel Corporation listed on OTC market under ticker JANL.· ipo
2013
New leadership and capital brought in to strengthen core brokerage and forwarding businesses.· pivot
2018
Secured $10 million senior secured revolving line of credit from Santander Bank Asset Based Lending group.· lending
2024
Seventh amendment to Santander credit agreement executed, adding Airschott, Inc. as borrower.· lending
2025
New credit agreement dated December 29, 2025 with Santander Bank N.A. as administrative agent and First Merchants Bank as joint lead arranger.· lending
Regulated entities
2
regulatory licences held by Janel Group
Licence types, jurisdictions and registered entities are in the Embedded Finance Index report.
The stack
1 layer disclosed in Janel Group’s embedded-finance stack
Lending
Santander Bank, N.A.Senior secured revolving line of credit (working capital)
Accounting gap: minor

Janel Group — frequently asked

Who provides Janel Group's lending?

Janel Group's lending and capital products are provided by Santander Bank, N.A..

Where is Janel Group headquartered?

Janel Group is founded in 1974 and headquartered in Lynbrook, NY, USA.

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