Emerald Isle, N.C. —
In June 2008, sitting in the broom closet of the surf shop owned by Keith Byrd and Doug Starcke in Emerald Isle, NC, two former UPS execs, Byrd and Travis Burt, launched their vision of a company that would let them use their knowledge and expertise to help businesses save money on shipping.
Fast forward 10-years, and that vision has bloomed into one of the fastest-growing businesses in North Carolina, and one that already has been honored many times: a remarkable five consecutive listings on the Inc. 5000, back-to-back NC Fast 40 and North Carolina Top 100 Private Companies, Eastern NC BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, CAI Ovation Award for Corporate Social Responsibility, Business NC Best Employer in North Carolina and Employer of the Year, back-to-back Inc. Magazine Best Workplaces.
The awards reflect the company’s ethos and values and provide inspiration for the future.
“We have a really good vision and clear goals for 2025,” says Burt. “The future’s very bright.”
The company’s rapid success is grounded in a service that provides strong financial benefit to customers. TI improves shippers’ logistics operations through advanced TMS technology paired with an innovative “cost-based” negotiation strategy. This ensures that customers benefit from low small parcel and LTL rates, accurate invoice auditing, and optimized routing decisions on every shipment.
Transportation Impact, in their 10-year run, has also developed a formidable reputation as a community steward and sought-after employer. The company’s ethos is founded in the five core values of integrity, work ethic, passion, perfection, and professionalism, and a belief that a supportive atmosphere, an emphasis on giving and humanity, and approachable leaders and managers helps employees reach their greatest potential.
Over the decade of its existence, TI has also placed a strong emphasis on philanthropy and has donated more than $1 million to local charities and causes. In early 2017 the philanthropy was formalized as IMPACT1 (Improvements Made by People ACTing as 1), which is a pledge to provide 1% in goodwill services, 1% of employee time, and 1% of company profit to the community.
From the beginning, Byrd and Burt have had an unwavering commitment to TI remaining a family business, in the true sense of the term.
“We’ve been offered to be bought out many times,” says Byrd, “but we’ve always said no because we want to carry on the legacy of the family. All four of our kids have stepped up to the plate and learned the industry. That’s very important to us.”
Equally important is the outstanding team the owners have orchestrated, in the past 10-years, to help realize their vision for the future. “The leadership that Keith and Travis have hired over the last ten years have helped this company to grow into what it is, and we, the next generation, are learning a lot from them,” says Kirsten Burt, Audit Operations Manager.
Looking to the future, Brian Byrd, Director of Operations and the first “kid” to come aboard, sees the bright light illuminating the way for generations to come.
“I watched this business from the outside for five years, and you could see how special it is. I want to continue the legacy for my kids and grandkids. Everybody here is in neck deep, and nobody’s going anywhere.”
