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Sheer Logistics
Sheer Logistics is a tech-enabled 3PL and freight brokerage scaling through acquisitions, managing multimodal transportation across North America.
Sheer Logistics
Sheer Logistics operates as a third-party logistics (3PL) company headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri. The firm provides multimodal freight brokerage, managed transportation services, and supply chain technology integration, primarily serving mid-market shippers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company has grown through a series of acquisitions, including the purchase of Cargo Barn and a significant merger with M33 Growth-backed GlobalTranz's freight brokerage unit before that entity was absorbed by Worldwide Express. The firm's service mix spans truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, and expedited freight, alongside a managed transportation practice that embeds logistics professionals within client operations. Sheer runs a proprietary transportation management system (TMS) and integrates third-party visibility tools. In September 2021, the company combined with GlobalTranz's agent-based freight brokerage, a move backed by private equity sponsor M33 Growth (per FreightWaves, 2021). The deal expanded Sheer's agent network and carrier base significantly, positioning it as a platform consolidator in the fragmented 3PL sector. After the GlobalTranz transaction closed in late 2021, Sheer continued acquiring smaller brokerages, including the operating assets of Cargo Chief in 2022 to strengthen its carrier sourcing technology. The company maintains a hybrid workforce with remote agents and centralized operations in the St. Louis metro area. Its backers include M33 Growth, a Boston-based growth equity firm focused on software and technology-enabled services businesses. September 2023: Sheer announced the acquisition of a third-party logistics brokerage expanding its presence in the Texas market (per the firm, September 2023). Structurally, Sheer differs from asset-heavy logistics companies by operating a capital-light, agent-based brokerage model. This architecture allows variable cost scaling and geographic coverage without owning trucks, warehousing, or intermodal equipment. The firm functions as a growth-equity-backed roll-up platform, consolidating independent freight agencies under a unified technology stack and back-office infrastructure.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Chesterfield
Corporate office
Chesterfield, MO, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
What is Sheer Logistics' business model?
Sheer Logistics operates as a third-party logistics provider centered on an agent-based freight brokerage model. It does not own transportation assets like trucks or warehouses. Revenue comes from margin between what shippers pay and what carriers charge, plus fees for managed transportation services where it embeds logistics personnel within client operations. This capital-light structure enables faster scaling through agent recruitment and acquisition.
Who owns Sheer Logistics?
Sheer Logistics is a privately held company backed by M33 Growth, a Boston-based growth equity firm that invested in the platform during its 2021 combination with GlobalTranz's freight brokerage unit. The transaction gave M33 a significant ownership stake, and the firm's principals work alongside the management team. Specific founders or CEO names have not been widely publicized in primary-source disclosures.
How does Sheer Logistics' managed transportation service work?
Sheer embeds logistics professionals within client operations to manage daily freight procurement, carrier negotiations, and performance tracking. These embedded teams use Sheer's transportation management system and analytics tools to optimize routing and reduce freight spend. The service targets mid-market companies that lack the scale for in-house logistics departments but have complex, multi-modal shipping needs.
What geographies does Sheer Logistics serve?
Sheer's core market is North America, with active operations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Its agent network extends coverage into secondary and tertiary freight markets beyond major coastal corridors. The company has not publicly disclosed expansion into overseas markets or international air and ocean freight forwarding.
Is Sheer Logistics an asset-based carrier or a non-asset broker?
Sheer Logistics is a non-asset, technology-enabled freight brokerage. It does not own trucks, trailers, or warehousing facilities. The company contracts with a network of independent carriers and owner-operators to move freight for its shipper clients, a model that provides flexibility and lower capital requirements compared to asset-based trucking firms.
What transportation modes does Sheer Logistics handle?
Sheer manages truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal rail, and expedited freight shipments. Its technology platform provides visibility and carrier matching across these modes. The company has not disclosed share of revenue by mode, but truckload brokerage is the dominant category in the 3PL brokerage industry.
What private equity firms are involved with Sheer Logistics?
M33 Growth is the primary institutional backer of Sheer Logistics, having led the investment when the company combined with GlobalTranz's brokerage unit in 2021. The firm focuses on growth-stage technology and tech-enabled services companies. No additional institutional investors have been named in public filings or announcements.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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