AIT Milestones
From humble beginnings as a U.S. freight forwarder based in the Chicago area, AIT Worldwide Logistics has grown to become a global logistics powerhouse delivering supply chain solutions for customers in nearly every industry.
Watch the latest in AIT’s journey
Rediscover the story of AIT Worldwide Logistics in this video overview of the reliable, solutions driven, forward thinking industry leader.
History of AIT Worldwide Logistics
1979
- Air-It-There, Inc. opens for business on Sept. 4
1988
- Air-It-There, Inc. becomes AIT Freight Systems, Inc.
1996
- Food Logistics division is launched
1999
- Ocean shipping added to AIT’s growing list of services
2000
- The increasingly global company is renamed AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc.
- AIT Cares is established to support engaging in our communities
2001
- Customs Brokerage team launches in the U.S.
2008
- Joining the SmartWay® Transport Partnership, AIT becomes an early advocate for supply chain sustainability
2009
- First international office opens in Hong Kong
- Residential Delivery Solutions debuts
2010
- Second Asia location opens in Shanghai
2011
- Life Sciences Division launches
2012
- Executive leadership team assumes ownership of AIT in a friendly leveraged buyout
- Retail Logistics debuts
2013
- Global expansion continues with first European office in Amsterdam
- Government and Aerospace division formally established
- Civil Reserve Air Fleet partnership begins
2015
- Mexico added to AIT’s growing worldwide network
2016
- AIT-Asia expands to Vietnam
2017
- Quad-C becomes AIT’s financial partner, helps to fulfill the organization's strategic growth plan
2018
- WorldFresh Express and ConneXion World Cargo become the first companies acquired by AIT
- E-commerce division launches
2019
- Unitrans International Corporation acquired, then later merges into Life Sciences Division
2020
- Expansion in seven countries across Asia and Europe with acquisitions of Fiege Forwarding and Panther Logistics; Panther later rebrands as AIT Home Delivery
2021
- AIT recapitalizes with The Jordan Company
- Newly acquired companies include Intelligent Logistics, Multimodal International and Select Express & Logistics
- Four new specialized services are introduced: Automotive, Healthcare, Industrial and Technology
2022
- AIT commits to net-zero carbon emissions by 2035 and signs The Climate Pledge
- India joins the worldwide network with three new offices
- AIT Truckload Solutions established
2023
- New global headquarters opens at 2 Pierce Place
- Smart Freight Centre sustainability partnership begins
- Organic expansion into Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and United Arab Emirate
- Mach II Shipping Ltd acquired
2024
- AIT acquires Global Transport Solutions Group and Lubbers Logistics Group
- Energy and Marine Logistics launched as new specialized services
2025
- Newly acquired companies include Krupp Trucking LLC and GSDMIA, Inc.
- Forbes names AIT one of America’s Best Midsize Employers