TBB GL
TBB Global Logistics traces its roots to the Transportation Bureau of Baltimore, established in 1946, with a founding vision to assist shippers and receivers in navigating the complexities of freight traffic. The company’s founder, A. Allan Polakoff, was an attorney and experienced traffic manager who identified a market need for transportation expertise among businesses that lacked in-house logistics resources. This insight laid the groundwork for a firm that would evolve beyond consulting into comprehensive supply chain services.
In its early years, TBB expanded its portfolio to include freight bill auditing and the filing of claims for lost or damaged freight. The leadership of Mr. Polakoff established him as a recognized authority in transportation management, and his work as an instructor and author helped shape industry understanding of freight operations. After more than two decades of growth under his leadership, the company transitioned from a consultancy into a broader traffic management entity.
The late 1960s marked a turning point as TBB broadened its focus from advisory services to full-scale traffic management. Under Jay Polakoff, who succeeded his father, the organization embraced a strategy to function as an outsourced traffic department for companies lacking internal logistics capabilities. This shift enabled TBB to expand staffing with professionals versed in transportation operations and law, and it positioned the company to serve as a national innovator in outsourced traffic management.
During the subsequent decades, TBB continued to grow its capabilities to cover all modes of transportation management and to offer supply chain management consulting. The firm invested in proprietary technology to support transportation planning and reporting, reinforcing its role as a technology-driven partner for clients seeking to optimize logistics performance. In 2000, the business passed into the hands of the next generation, with ownership transferred to brothers Phil and Sam Polakoff, and the organization was renamed TBB Global Logistics. The 2003 acquisition of Amco Brokers & Forwarders of Baltimore and the 2004 acquisition of Olimpex International—an air and ocean freight forwarder with customs brokerage capabilities—strengthened its position as a diversified, global logistics provider. Today, TBB Global Logistics serves thousands of shipping and receiving locations worldwide and is recognized as an innovative leader in outsourced supply chain services.
TBB Global Logistics continues to operate as a full-spectrum logistics partner, combining freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and strategic supply chain management to help clients optimize cost, efficiency, and reliability across international trade lanes.
