THE JUMP
TALENT
TQL SEES QUALITY GROWTH One of the country’s fastest growing companies celebrates a renovated headquarters, a hiring spree, and sponsorship of FC Cincinnati’s new stadium.
–SARAH M. MULLINS
The Cincinnati region’s largest privately owned company, Total Quality Logistics (TQL), recently doubled the size of its Clermont County headquarters to match its rapid growth. The 230,000-square-foot, energy-efficient campus offers more space for new employees and amenities like an on-site gym, basketball court, full-service cafeteria, coffee shop, and a connector to the existing building. President Kerry Byrne says it was perfect timing for completion of the project. With the pandemic in full force, the headquarters construction project increased office space and allowed for social distancing while TQL served as an essential freight logistics business delivering a variety of goods. “The transportation industry is incredibly dynamic, being together is very important to us, and investing in new facilities where teams can learn and grow together was critical,” says Byrne. “For us, the strongest teams aren’t built remotely.” The logistics company has more than 5,000 employees currently, with as many as 1,000 positions open across the U.S.—400 here in Cincinnati. They’re relying on current employees to attract new talent with extra incentives to those who recruit hired staff. “We’re looking for individuals who have the drive to succeed,” says Byrne. “We are extremely focused on learning and development. Ninety percent of our man16 REALM SUMMER 2021
agement team has been promoted from within. Our goal is to retain, develop, and promote top talent. We aren’t afraid to put folks on the ‘fast track.’” TQL is on track to provide services beyond their existing “full truckload” transportation model that focuses on large tractor trailer trans-
portation. Expansion areas include transportation modes like intermodal rail and freight and freight forwarding across international borders, which include management of air, ocean cargo containers, and customs logistics as well as significant investments in technology. “Cincinnati has become a transportation hub,” says Byrne. “We are proud to be a part of the work that has gone into that reputation, and we want to help Cincinnati continue to grow its reputation for being a great city to be in tech.” TQL’s growth has been phenomenal since its founding in 1997, moving more than 2 million freight loads in 2020 from offices in 26 states. The company has also raised its profile by signing on as the official sponsor of the FC Cincinnati soccer stadium that debuted for the team’s home opener on May 16. Byrne says one of the perks of being a partner is to offer TQL employees access to exclusive seats, events, and swag. “FC Cincinnati has been huge champions for the city, and we share a lot of the same core values: community, family, and competition,” he says. “Partnering with FCC was an easy choice.” P H O T O G R A P H S C O U R T E SY T Q L
