Customer Spotlight: PacWest Freight

David and Tanya Petrino, Nathan Sprague

Vancouver, WA

Founded 2016

In their own words

PacWest Freight is a family-owned brokerage group located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in Vancouver, Washington in 2016, PacWest has quickly become one of the most reliable brokers in the region.

At PacWest Freight, technology is at the core of our brokerage operations, helping us work more efficiently, reduce costs, and provide superior service to our shippers and carriers. Our tech-driven approach allows us to streamline processes, improve visibility, and optimize decision-making.

We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our business, from building strong partnerships with our customers and carriers to ensuring the highest level of service. At PacWest Freight, your success is our priority, and we pride ourselves on being a reliable partner you can count on.

When was the brokerage founded, and what prompted you to start?

PacWest was started to support the overflow freight from our asset side (Jacko Logistics) and then expanded to other niches.

What type of brokerage model do you operate?

PacWest operates a Managed Capacity — Power Only model, but we own our trailers and have a strong network across the 11 western states that we operate in.

Does the brokerage specialize in specific freight types or markets?

We specialize in dry van, freight forwarding, and reefer.

What products are essential to the day-to-day operations of the brokerage?

We use the DAT Load Board and RateView on a daily basis. These tools have allowed for faster carrier sourcing, market rate transparency, and support efficiency in negotiations.

What did DAT simplify or make easier for your brokerage?

DAT has supported our brokerage operations in a number of ways:

• We’ve expanded our carrier network – DAT has allowed us to quickly and consistently find high-quality carriers.
• We’ve adopted data-driven pricing strategies – DAT’s real-time rate analytics and historical trends enable us to make informed pricing decisions.
• We’ve made things more efficient – The automation and search tools within DAT save us time when matching loads to carriers.

How does DAT support your short-term goals?

DAT’s load board and digital freight-matching tools allow our brokers to quickly find and book loads. Automated carrier vetting tools ensure we work with safe, compliant, and dependable carriers.

How does DAT support your long-term goals?

We’ve got some lofty goals as a business and are aiming for 30% year-over-year growth. DAT provides access to LTL, intermodal, and specialized freight solutions, helping us diversify and expand our service offerings.

What are the greatest challenges facing the freight or brokerage industry?

We see a few:

• Volatility – Freight rates are constantly shifting due to economic conditions, fuel costs, and seasonal trends.
• Capacity concerns – Finding dependable carriers is a challenge, especially during high-demand periods.
• Fraud – Freight fraud, including double brokering and carrier identity theft, is on the rise. DAT has helped us reduce this risk.