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?”
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.