Midwest Terminals
People-First Approach to Safety-Focused Cargo Handling Solutions

When businesses manage freight transportation, they navigate a laborious decision-making process that involves balancing cost, timing and delivery schedules. Coordinating these factors effectively from a central hub is crucial for better planning and coordination, leading to improved operational performance.

This is where Midwest Terminals helps businesses excel with its integrated solution that manages logistics across all these modes—from development to delivery.

Situated in Toledo, Ohio, Midwest features a comprehensive in-house network that includes maritime assets with three docks, a short-line railroad, trucking fleets, pipeline assets and a pipeline and bulk liquid tank farm assets in addition to its bulk liquid transloading operations. This enables the company to act as a one-stop shop for transporting hazardous bulk materials such as oil and gas, coal, coke, steel, aluminum, calcium, iron ore and pig iron.

“Our expertise in participating in-house and integrating modes of the supply chain to create an all-inclusive solution for our customer base is what truly differentiates us,” says Robert Holtz, vice president of operations.

Midwest’s strength is its expertise in railroad logistics. Managing rail transport requires navigating complex systems and coordinating with major railroads, a challenge for many. However, Midwest effectively collaborates with all major Class One railroads to ensure smooth transitions of goods from origin to destination.

This integrated approach is the result of careful development and strategic evolution that began with a single dock in 1999. Over the years, Midwest has built a network optimized for agility and efficiency, positioning the company to effectively understand and address customer challenges, delivering solutions that distinguish it within the logistics industry.

This client-centric strategy is supported by data-driven technologies, including real-time tracking and predictive analytics, which increase reliability and transparency in logistics operations. Closely monitoring and managing dwell times—the periods during which cargo remains stationary—Midwest significantly boosts its operational efficiency. It recognizes that delays in shipments can lead to expensive production halts in industries reliant on timely deliveries. By focusing on increasing velocity and maximizing asset utilization, Midwest enables its clients to capitalize on market opportunities, even in volatile conditions.

The effectiveness of Midwest’s approach is evident in its partnership with Cleveland-Cliffs, for which it developed a streamlined supply chain for a new Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) plant. Midwest used its maritime docks for the inbound logistics of iron ore, established the Toledo Industrial Railroad for efficient service to the plant and provided strategic warehousing for essential materials facilitating the seamless distribution of the finished HBI product through a direct connection to the Norfolk Southern rail network. This comprehensive involvement was crucial in designing, executing and maintaining an efficient supply chain solution.

Not just that, Midwest also offers strategic warehousing solutions at its dock facilities, further enhancing the value of its logistics offerings by facilitating the storage and handling of commodities—ensuring that it not only meets but exceeds the logistical needs of its clients across sectors.

Environmental stewardship is central to Midwest’s operations, given the proximity of its activities to natural water environments. This commitment is demonstrated by the introduction of the first all-battery-powered locomotive within its port complex, marking an advancement in reducing emissions. In a proactive collaboration with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Midwest has not only embraced environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles but has secured funding for a second all-battery unit.

Building on its success in Toledo, Ohio, Midwest is replicating its winning formula in other markets. Its customer-focused solutions have attracted attention across the nation, leading to operations in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, St. Louis and beyond, highlighting the demand for its services and its ability to adapt solutions for new locations.

With proven success and clear momentum, Midwest Terminals promises to continue delivering strategic advantages to clients through adaptable, solution-focused approaches and dedication to its people. This ensures reliable and optimized operations well into the future.