AIT Milestones

In 1979, our story began in the Chicagoland market. From our humble beginnings as a forwarder, AIT has remained committed to co-worker development, delivering a world-class customer experience and the deployment of enhanced technology solutions to better serve customers around the world.

Over the course of more than four decades of steady growth, AIT remains an organization of high performance with closely aligned core values and a rich historical culture. Today, AIT stands as an award-winning leader in the global logistics industry, with regional headquarters in Chicago, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.

History of AIT

We invite you to explore the company timeline and join us as we continue our story by strengthening the Core Values of AIT: Customers, Co-workers, Communities, Ethics and High Performance.


1979

  • “Air It There” opens for business on September 4.

1996

  • Perishables division specializing in ambient and passive products is launched.

1997

  • To reflect the company’s rapidly expanding global presence, AIT Freight Systems becomes AIT Worldwide Logistics.

1999

  • AIT obtains FMC license to operate as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary.

2000

  • AIT co-workers begin their commitment to the American Cancer Society and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. To date, Team AIT has donated in excess of $600,000.
  • Global system support consolidated and hosted in a unified data center.

2001

  • Comprehensive global risk management and support enhanced with Customs Brokerage services.

2008

  • AIT joins the SmartWay® Transport Partnership to improve the environmental performance of freight delivery in the United States.

2009

  • AIT’s first overseas office opens in Hong Kong, China.
  • Residential Delivery solutions are added to AIT’s Specialty Service offerings.
  • AIT celebrates 30 years of global supply chain management.

2010

  • Second Asian office opens in Shanghai, China.
  • MyAIT rolls out as a fully integrated web-based shipping solutions tool.

2011

  • AIT is recognized as a Top 100 Workplace by Chicago Tribune.

2012

  • AIT enhances personal connections via social media. Like us on Facebook!
  • Executive leadership team assumes ownership of AIT in a friendly leveraged buyout on May 4.
  • Specialty Services options broadened with the launch of Retail Logistics division.

2013

2014

  • Logistics Management magazine awards AIT the Quest for Quality award for the ninth time.

2015

2016

  • AIT opens new location in Hanoi, Vietnam and expands the company’s Asian network.

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022