Kingsgate 2019: A Year of Innovation in Review

It’s that time of year again… tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and, as I have done in 2017 and in 2018, I would like to reflect on the past year. Like most years, 2019 was full of growth, set-backs, lessons learned and major accomplishments. We were extremely fortunate over the past year in continuing with our growth in numerous ways. When looking back at 2019, here’s what we’re most excited for:

CONTINUED GROWTH AND JOINING UC’S 1819 INNOVATION HUB

Kingsgate has been on a growth path for five years, adding to our team each year, expanding our space and opening new offices. Our partnership with the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub was announced at the beginning of 2019 and our team moved into our satellite office in late summer.

Kingsgate was in good company, joining Cincinnati Bell, Kroger, Cincinnati Insurance Companies and CincyTech in the Hub. Employees at Kingsgate’s new satellite location partnered with UC to develop customer-facing solutions by using cutting-edge technologies, as well as expanded our existing partnership with the university – both in the classroom and with Bearcat Athletics. We look forward to continuing and growing our partnership with the University in 2020. 

OUR INVESTMENT IN INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

If you’ve been following Kingsgate over the past year, you’ve seen the massive strides we’ve been making in the logistics tech space. With a seven-figure investment in our technology and IT department, we’ve more than doubled our tech team, launched a partnership with Trucker Tools’ Book It Now automated load booking tool and collaborated with various partners to innovate and pioneer in the transportation technology space.

Kingsgate has implemented Artificial Intelligence in six areas of our business and has identified two additional areas we’d like to explore as we expand. As we’ve made these changes, I sometimes wonder if we’re a logistics company in the tech space or a tech company in the logistics space! Nevertheless, we are eager to see how this investment transforms trucking and benefits our employees, carriers and customers in 2020.

KINGSGATE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Year after year while crafting this recap, one thing will always be the center of our accomplishments… the Kingsgate Family. Everything we do as a company – big or small – is because of the dedicated team of employees we have surrounding us. We’ve added to our team each year, and it’s been incredible to see the amazing growth and change new teammates have brought to each department. Additionally, we’ve had a blast at celebrations with our team over the course of 2019. We had our third annual Spirit Week, hosted the Kingsgate Family Picnic at the Cincinnati Zoo for the first time, hosted a Kingsgate + UC tailgate and you all saw our Top Golf holiday party last week!

For as much as we’ve accomplished as a team, nothing makes me prouder than seeing our team give back and help my siblings and I bolster the legacy our parents left us. Over 2019, our team collected canned goods for the UC Bearcat Student Pantry, volunteered after the Dayton tornado disaster, donated pet care items as a part of Trooper’s Telegraph mission and donated to both Make-A-Wish and The Lymphoma and Leukemia Society on our behalf.

It’s been a truly incredible year and I feel beyond blessed and humbled for our 2019 journey. Here’s to more trials, tribulations, successes, expansions and navigating it all in 2020 with all of you by our sides. Cheers to the new year!

All the Best,

Jeff Beckham