Please join us in extending best wishes to Diane Howe, who is retiring from full–time employment with Bay Logistics on Sept. 18th, 2020. Diane has agreed to work part time for a few months to assist in the transition process.
Diane began as a customer service manager at Whiting Distribution Services, headquartered in Hamtramck, MI. Bay Logistics purchased Whiting, and Diane has been with us ever since.
When asked what she would miss the most, with heavy heart Diane replied, “It is bittersweet. I have developed some great friendships over the last 44 years, and the hardest part is saying goodbye.” She also added that she wishes Bay continued success in the future.
Diane is eager to start planning her daughter’s wedding in June of 2021, after which she’s planning to start traveling with her husband, Pat. The first destinations on the radar are South Carolina, San Francisco, and the Grand Canyon!
We truly appreciate Diane’s dedication and services over the years, and wish her the best as she starts a new chapter in her life.
Bay Logistics Acquires 260,000 Square Foot Distribution Center in Flint, Michigan
Increases Flint Footprint to Over 600,000 Square Feet
- 260,000 square feet
- 28’ clear height
- 18 dock doors
- 2 grade level doors
- ESFR sprinkler
- Central HVAC
- Fenced parking lot
- 150 free surface parking spaces
- Close to GM Flint Assembly
- Cross dock space

Our story
The Frontline Foods story begins with Sydney Gressel, a pediatric nurse at UCSF in San Francisco. Her friends asked her how they could help her and her colleagues on the frontlines of the COVID–19 crisis and she answered: “Pizza”. Initially, the idea was to boost morale among clinicians working long hours, but when shelter in place was enacted and restaurants throughout the city closed, clinicians could no longer step off the unit to grab food nearby. Deliveries of prepared food became a core support measure for frontline workers.
Sydney’s friends realized that two issues brought about by COVID–19 could be tackled through a single program: if restaurants could prepare meals for healthcare workers using money given to them through donations from the community, this would bring back business and keep their kitchens open, while also providing workers on the frontlines the fuel they need. As it turns out, similar ideas had sparked all over the country and what began as independent efforts with a shared vision has become a unified movement with a shared mission: support our local restaurants that have been impacted by shelter–in–place measures, while feeding healthcare workers on the frontlines of the pandemic.
And we’re not doing it alone. We’ve partnered with World Central Kitchen (WCK), a tax–exempt, registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization led by chef José Andrés, to scale the reach of our program. All donations made in connection with this project are tax–deductible and funds raised by Frontline Foods go directly to restaurants in communities across the country.

Thank You for volunteering at Feast For Kids!
Hi Kurt, Jon and John,
Thanks so much for giving your time and energy last Tuesday evening for the Feast For Kids event! It was very powerful and moving to see all the volunteers who help make this event possible to raise money and awareness for Kids’ Food Basket to feed evening meals to 8,000 kids every day in West Michigan.
We could not have done this event without your involvement and we want you to know how much we appreciate your help.
Thanks again! It was great meeting you all and you were a great team! We hope to count on you again!
Kay Fricano, Volunteer Scheduling and Stewardship Coordinator
Kids’ Food Basket
Empowering Communities to Attack Childhood Hunger
Bay Logistics is a proud sponsor of the Melvindale Major Cardinals!
Enriching the community in which we operate is a “thing” at Bay. So many opportunities, so little time!
GIVING BACK!
Bay Logistics and Martin Transportation Systems employees volunteered their time repackaging bags of donated popcorn at the Grand Rapids Kids’ Food Basket last week as part of the third annual GO ORANGE campaign.
“Here in West Michigan, one in five kids are affected by hunger,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, executive director for Kids’ Food Basket. “But to put it in more tangible numbers, just here in Kent County alone 28,700 children live in food-insecure households, which means a household that simply does not have enough food. 28,700 kids, for a visual, that’s like filling up the Van Andel Arena three times over.”
A great time and a great cause!
12,000 SF of prime office space available for sublease in Wayne, Michigan
6-7 enclosed offices, 1 furnished conference room, a storefront area with 35 contiguous car parking spaces, and a large break room with fridge, dishwasher and sink.
Call Chili Akoma for more information @ 734-255-0406
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Bay Logistics has acheieved NewAge’s highest 3PL audit score in 2016 and 2017!
Bay Logistics stands out from the rest of our 3PL providers, and consistently demonstrates the willingness to go above and beyond our wildest expectations.
They have continuously exceeded our requirements, whether by completing one more last–minute order, or by receiving in one last truck for the day.
Many thanks to the Bay Logistics Hamtramck Operations Team!!
Sincerely,
Eric Lewis
3PL Warehousing Manager
NewAge Products, Inc.
BAY LOGISTICS TAKES CONTROL
Bay Logistics was recently called upon to assume control over a large, automotive cross dock / distribution center in the State of Indiana. Our IT systems prowess, material handling acumen and strong management / organizational skills were drastically needed by our client. We answered the call, put together a cohesive plan, and completed the transition in just under two weeks! Twenty-one employees, two-shifts, 6-7 days per week, in our client’s existing 500,000 square foot, 100-year-old warehouse! Congratulations to the Bay Team for an exemplary implementation! It’s Better at Bay!
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
This email is to explain once again how your staff is always going above and beyond. As with most of my containers coming in the nick of time, I was feeling the stress of needing this container with great haste. On Wednesday morning the container was delivered and just last week I sent an email with a bunch of shipments that had to go out ASAP to your Detroit location. They not only received the container loaded with race fuel in the morning, but were able to break the pallets to set up for 5 shipments that went out the same day. Though I don’t have the email addresses for all the workers in the warehouse, I hope that you can express my utmost appreciation for them not just doing their job, but going well above the industry standard. From top to bottom at the Hecla facility, my impression is they care about my business as if it was their own. The “make it happen” attitude is a mantra/ethos they have followed without fail for years. Realistically, this is nothing short of impressive, and a “job well done” does not begin to say enough. Could you express this email to all the staff at Hecla personally?
Bill Bovensiep
Sales Director
NEW FACILITY
To meet market demand, Bay Logistics recently acquired a high-cube, centrally-located distribution center. This facility features:
- 132,000 SF of space
- Convenient central location – 35660 Clinton Street, Wayne, Michigan 48184
- Six acres of trailer parking
- Located within two miles of the Ford Motor – Wayne Assembly Plant
- Minutes to Detroit Metro Airport and the I–275 corridor
- Fourteen truck dock doors
- Two grade level doors
- 26′ to 28′ ceiling heights
- T–8 lighting with motion sensors
- ESFR sprinkler system
- Static racking
- Electronic security
Please call Chiledu Akoma @ 734-255-0406 for more information
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Thank you Dylan! The Bay Logistics Ypsilanti Operation’s Team has far exceeded Ford Motor’s expectations. We very much appreciate the fine customer service.
Thank you,
Robert Simpson, Lab Coordinator
Ford Motor Company
Martin Transportation Systems (MTS) and Bay Logistics are proud sponsors of the Grand Rapids City High Marching Band!
Owner Ric Johnston, himself a product of the Grand Rapids Public School System (Ottawa Hills High School Class of 1977), and the entire MTS/Bay management team supported the initiative to de-identify, repair, paint and re-decal the City High Marching Band trailer.
Martin Transportation Systems is a Grand Rapids based automotive truckload carrier, operating 1250 tractors and 2750 trailers through a network of 16 full-service terminals. MTS is General Motor’s largest inbound truckload carrier, and is also a Top Three carrier for both Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler.
Bay Logistics is a diversified, comprehensive supplier of warehousing, transportation and logistics services. Bay Logistics operates 10 Distribution Centers in the State of Michigan and Mexico, servicing a wide array of industries including automotive, food and grocery, plastics, beer, beverages, metals and paper.
In the picture, Grand Rapids City High Principal Dr. Mike Pascoe shakes hands with Bay Logistics Chief Operating Officer Kurt Cuncannan in front of the newly-renovated City High Marching Band trailer.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
The management and staff at fairlife LLC deeply appreciate the performance and commitment of the Bay Logistics Food Safety Team over the past two years. Consistently exceeding our wildest expectations, our partnership has flourished, and is ripe for future expansion. Bay has exhibited expertise in both dry and refrigerated truckload transportation, AIB-Certified ambient and cooler Food Grade warehouse operations, EDI integration, sample pulling, inventory management with ‘real time’ remote internet access, pick-and-pack, order fulfillment, labeling and the management of inbound raw materials.
I highly recommend the skilled and dedicated team of seasoned professionals at Bay Logistics. They have proved to be a key component of our successful start-up in Coopersville, Michigan!
Respectfully,
Leila Crossley – believes in better
Manager, Logistics and Materials
Bay Donates Water to Flint
Bay Logistics and our partnering company, Martin Transportation Systems Inc., jumped into action to support the victims of the Flint water crisis.
Collectively, the two companies donated 1,512 cases of water to the city of Flint. That’s 36,288 bottles of water!
This was a small way to give back to the community in which we do business. Thank you to everyone who stepped up and made this possible.
Summertime Employee Appreciation
Why the traveling BBQ luncheon? Don Finney responded “Employee Appreciation …and I wanted to be the first to use the new BBQ!”
The Bay Logistics/Insight Logistics Operations Team has taken to the road visiting our Metro-Detroit Area Distribution Centers bringing with them burgers, brats and good cheer!
Thanks to all of our hard-working employees! We couldn’t do it without you! Stay tuned for more pictures as the BBQ continues!!!
RACER Trust Announces Sale of Flint Warehouse; More than 200 Jobs Expected
Facility to be Used by Transportation and Logistics Businesses
RACER Trust today announced it has sold the former GM Flint Warehouse to Johnston’s Enterprises, LLC, which said it plans to locate affiliates Martin Transportation Systems, Inc., and Bay Logistics Inc. in the 176,000-square-foot facility and employ about 150 drivers, 35 to 40 office workers and mechanics, and 25 warehouse staff at the facility.
“We’re very pleased to have come to terms with a buyer who will maximize the Flint Warehouse property’s potential for redevelopment and reuse,” said Elliott P. Laws, of EPLET, LLC, Administrative Trustee of RACER Trust. “The Flint Warehouse is an outstanding asset and we’re excited for it to once again be a hub of economic activity for the Flint area.”
Martin Transportation Systems, Inc., based in Byron Center, Michigan, operates 15 terminals in the United States and Canada, and employs more than 1,200 drivers, owner-operators and support staff. Its fleet includes 700 trucks and 1,700 trailers. Bay Logistics, based in Spring Lake, MI, operates 12 distribution centers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Richard E. Johnston is the president of both MTS and Bay.
“The features and location of the Flint Warehouse facility fit well with the goals and objectives of both MTS and Bay to continue to be a significant player in the automotive production industry,” said Mr. Johnston. “Reinvigorating this facility gives us the added pleasure of knowing that we are participating in the revitalization of the City of Flint, where we have been a vested member for many years. We are very pleased about this opportunity.”
“This is positive news for Flint, particularly the north side. The new jobs and economic activity at the site will create even more opportunities,” Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said. “Redevelopment of former automotive properties is a top priority for the City, and Martin Transportation and Bay Logistics are key partners in this endeavor. I congratulate President Johnston and his team and thank them for their confidence in our community.”
About RACER Trust: RACER (Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response) Trust was created to clean up and position for redevelopment properties and other facilities owned by the former General Motors Corp. before its 2009 bankruptcy. RACER is one of the largest holders of industrial property in the United States and is the largest environmental response and remediation trust in U.S. history. When the Trust was formed, it owned properties at 89 locations in 14 states, principally in the Midwest and Northeast. The Trust was created by a settlement agreement in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court between the U.S. Government, the 14 states where the former GM properties are located, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, which owns land adjoining one of the properties in Upstate New York. For more information, please visit our website: www.racertrust.org.
Eber University
Eberspaecher North America recently hosted its first Corrugated Supplier Day in the newly-constructed “EBER UNIVERSITY” training room at the Bay Logistics Ypsilanti Operations!
Bay Logistics and Eberspaecher entered into a logistics partnership in June of 2015 which entails warehousing, kitting, sorting, repackaging, inventory management and sequencing of finished goods.
Romulus is Open for Business!
The Executive Management Team of Bay Logistics is pleased to announce that our Romulus Distribution Center is again available for long term and short term warehousing projects!
Facility features include:
- 269,999 square feet of space
- Fenced perimeter with guard shack
- Electronic security systems
- Heat and air conditioning
- ESFR fire suppression system
- 26′ clear height
- Interior rail siding accommodating 13 60′ hi-roof boxcars on one switch
- 24 truck docks
- 2 16′ x 20′ drive-in doors
- Upgraded T-8 lighting
- Labor, equipment and RF warehouse management system with remote internet access
- ISO-certified quality inspection division on site
- Tractors, 53′ dry vans, and 6 switcher trucks
- Heavy duty dock levelers
Please call (616) 432-5499 for more information.
August 18, 2014
We would like to take a minute to say THANK YOU to BAY LOGISTICS for your support of our 40th anniversary celebration held on Saturday 8/16/14. It turned out to be a great day for everyone with good weather and over 2500 attendees including current associates and their extended families along with many of our retirees who gave so much of their time and efforts to allow us all to enjoy the wonderful celebration.
On behalf of Shape Corp I would like to thank BAY LOGISTICS for providing golf items that were given away as door prizes to our associates. We wanted to make sure your organization also got recognition for your support and your company information was not only shared with those who won your door prize but also the 2500+ folks who attended the event. Thank you again for supporting Shape during our initial 40 years and look forward to the next 40 as we grow together.
Best regards,
Global Supply Team—Valve Body Delivery Improvement

The GSC Team
Pictured l-r: Sue Hardaway, Herman Buckner, Ed Bryant, Paul Briggs, Gino Snapp, Diane Doty, Bill Garcia, Melodi Jones, Derrick Brown (Bay Supervisor). Not pictured: Joe Ala, Pat Brown, Mark Childress, George Philip, John Reed (Bay Facility Manager)
The General Motors Warren Transmission Global Supply Chain (GSC) Team recently improved both process and performance in the flow of transmission parts into the plant.
The GSC team had identified small parts (valves and springs) that were being sent into the plant mixed from the Bay Logistics warehouse on top hats, causing quality and throughput issues. The small parts delivered to the Valve Body Sub Assembly were mixed and hard to locate on the cart. This caused incorrect deliveries and over scanning of parts, resulting in delayed deliveries, miss-builds, and loss of production.
The GSC team worked with the Bay warehouse operators to improve the method of loading the carts. Then Bay Logistics personnel visited the GM Warren Transmission plant to see the route order and talk with employees who perform the work and receive the parts, and the GSC team used the feed-back to deep dive the problem.
An ideal route layout was mutually established, pilot carts were built and labeled, and the way to stock the top hats was standardized. This change has enabled fewer miss-builds, faster inventory pulls at the Bay Logistics warehouse, and training was made easier through the standardization of work.
General Motors Warren Transmission Operations Management Recognizes the Outstanding Efforts of Two Bay Logistics Employees
PHIL ROBERTS is a native of Ann Arbor, MI and a former United States Navy helicopter mechanic with an Air Crew qualification. Phil is also a Desert Storm/Desert Shield Veteran. Phil began his career at Bay Logistics as a Forklift Operator in March of 1999, and was promoted to Shift Supervisor at Bay Logistics – Romulus Operations the following year. Since then, Phil has also been an integral part of the Bay Management Team and has been involved in several new business start-ups, employee training initiatives, process development, and IT design applications. Currently Phil is a Shift Supervisor at Bay Logistics – Hamtramck Operations. On his time off, Phil enjoys working on classic cars, fishing and spending time with his family.
DERRICK BROWN began his career at Bay Logistics as Supervisor of Public Warehousing, Bay Logistics – Hamtramck Operations in December of 2003. Previously, Derrick had been an employee of Whiting Distribution Services for over nine years. In 2004, Derrick transitioned over to the Bay Logistics – Warren 6-Speed Operations as a Shift Supervisor overseeing production flow and JIT shipments into the plant. Currently, Derrick supervises inbound and outbound shipments, repacking processes, outbound dunnage, safety training and equipment maintenance. Derrick is a native of Detroit, MI and in his spare time enjoys working on computers and playing video games.
Bay Logistics Expands Into Mexico
Bay Logistics now offers a full menu of logistics services in Hermosillo, Mexico
Services include:
- warehousing
- transportation
- sequencing – full FLEX NET applications
- quality inspections and containment
- sorting
- repacking
- rework
- rail transloading
- customs clearance
- single freight bill service, door-to-door from US Midwest to Mexico
Bay Logistics Gives to the Girl Scouts of Norton Shores
Bay Logistics provided truck docks, heated warehouse space and material handling services in their Spring Lake Distribution Center to the Girl Scouts of Service Unit #216 (Norton Shores, Michigan Division). The cookies were unloaded in the early morning and the last order successfully went out just before 5:00 pm. The Bay Logistics Executive Management Team makes giving back to the community a priority, and they are proud to have been able to assist the girls in meeting their objectives in this year’s cookie fundraising effort.
“Bay Logistics was extremely gracious and accommodating during our Girl Scout Cookie Campaign. They not only donated warehouse space and material handling services, their forklift drivers checked in several times throughout the day to make sure everything was going according to our plan. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and look forward to working with them again next year.”
Amy Hargrove, Cookie Campaign Chairperson
Girl Scouts – Norton Shores, Service Unit #216