Robert Snowdale, the owner of Distribution Solutions, Inc. (DSi), headquartered in Plymouth, MA, has carved a niche in the freight management sector. He is also the founder, owner, and CEO of DSI Freightways, LLC, a company he helped launch in 1991. His expertise in freight forwarding, less-than-truckload (LTL), and truckload services, along with his knowledge of freight pricing, has underpinned his success.
A Northeastern University alum, he spent numerous years in various management capacities within the transportation and logistics industry, working for leading transportation firms nationwide. His significant stint at DSI Freightways saw him acquiring majority stakes in the firm in 1990, setting the stage for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Today, DSi offers state-of-the-art management services to the manufacturing and service industries, aiming to partner with commercial freight shippers and utilize interim warehousing solutions. He has successfully implemented a cutting-edge Transportation Spend Management (TSM) program at DSi, which is widely recognized for reducing costs by more than 20%, helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) compete more effectively in the global logistics market.
Raised in Cohasset, MA, he was industrious from a young age, engaging in various jobs, from gas pumping to grocery bagging. His early career in logistics began in 1974 as a Sales Representative at Springmeier Shipping Company, where he quickly rose to the position of New England Regional Sales Manager. His tenure at Pacific Intermountain Express, starting in 1978, further honed his skills, particularly in inbound sales, contributing to the company's growth during his time.
The deregulation of the motor carrier industry in 1980 prompted him to obtain a freight broker license, leading to the establishment of Balanced Transport Systems in 1982. This venture laid the foundation for Balanced Transport Services (BTS), which he grew by catering to the transportation management needs of SMBs in New England.
In 1991, he launched DSi as a freight management consulting firm, leveraging his extensive experience to serve a larger client base. Under his leadership, DSi now manages significant logistics operations, focusing on rate negotiations and carrier services procurement. His commitment to providing superior logistics solutions continues to drive innovations in carrier contract negotiations, route guide design, and freight cost benchmarking.
On a personal level, he is a family man, married with one child. He actively participates in community life, regularly attending St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, FL, and the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole, MA. His interests extend to real estate, with investments in short-term rental properties, and he enjoys golf, boating, and cooking. Residing in Pocasset, MA, on Cape Cod, he and his family also spend winters at their vacation home in Ocean Ridge, FL, demonstrating his ability to blend a successful career with a fulfilling personal life.
