In the world of produce logistics, Red Lab stands out for its youthful energy coupled with its willingness to tackle challenges head-on in this highly competitive and demanding field.

Founded in 2019 by University of South Carolina classmates Nick Macuch, Toby Skarke and Addison Miles, the company grew out of early exposure to the logistics world.

Macuch and Skarke gained hands-on experience working as operational assistants at a brokerage. Those formative years revealed not only how freight moves, but how easily things can fall apart without the right people behind the scenes.

“We saw logistics from the ground level,” said Skarke, who leads sales at Red Lab. “We understood how important the details were and how much trust customers place in the people managing their freight. That stuck with us.”

Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Red Lab Logistics quickly found its niche in the fresh produce industry. Moving fruits and vegetables requires constant attention, precise timing, and respect for the work that starts in the field. For Red Lab, produce was not just a category, it was a proving ground.

“We saw produce as one of the hardest things to move,” Skarke added. “Our belief was that if we could master that, we’d be better at everything else when the time came to diversify.”

That focus led to a strong alignment with farmers and growers. The Red Lab team developed a deep appreciation for their customers’ traditional values: honest work, no shortcuts, and long-term relationships. Those values became the foundation of the company’s culture.

First major test
Just one year after launching, Red Lab faced its first major test when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, forcing rapid changes across the logistics landscape. While much of the country shut down, demand for fresh produce surged as people stayed home and prepared their own meals.

“Nothing about that period was predictable,” said Skarke. “Rules were changing daily at farms and terminals, and everyone was trying to figure it out at the same time. What mattered most was communication and flexibility.”

Red Lab leaned heavily on its relationships with drivers and customers to keep freight moving. Despite the underlying uncertainty, the company adapted quickly and worked hard to ensure produce reached its destination without disruption. That experience reinforced lessons that still guide the business today.

“That time showed us how critical strong partnerships really are,” said Macuch, who is head of operations. “Drivers and supply-chain workers never stopped, and we didn’t either.”

Moving past the pandemic
As the industry evolved in the post-pandemic period, Red Lab continued to grow, but with a clear philosophy about how that growth should happen. While technology has transformed the 3PL industry, Red Lab has been intentional about where automation fits and where it does not.

“We use technology to support the job, not replace the human element,” Macuch said. “With produce, attention to detail is everything. Relying entirely on automation just doesn’t sit right with us.”

Instead, Red Lab invests heavily in training its operations managers, emphasizing human judgment, instinct, and relationship-building. In an industry known for high turnover, the company has built a stable team of veteran brokers.

“We want this to be a career,” Macuch said. “We put our people first, and when you do that, the service naturally follows.”

That commitment to people has helped Red Lab stand out in a competitive industry. Rather than chasing shortcuts or quick wins, the company focuses on consistency and service above all.

“We’d rather make our money the right way,” said Miles, who is Red Lab’s head of finance. “Our customers know we’ll go above and beyond, because that’s our norm.”

Youthful advantage
Youth was another factor that could have been viewed as a disadvantage during the company’s nascent years, as most of the founders and associates are in their 20s and 30s, but Red Lab chose to embrace it.

“We were young, hungry, and honest about what we didn’t know,” said Skarke. “We worked harder than anyone else, and eventually the results spoke for themselves.”

Over time recognition followed, along with growing trust from customers who valued competence over age.

In fact, the three founders were recently named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in honor of their entrepreneurial journey and Red Lab’s rapid rise in the industry.

Company namesake
At the heart of the company’s identity is Bentley, the original Red Labrador Retriever and the inspiration behind the name. More than a mascot, Bentley represents the traits the company strives to embody every day.

“He represents loyalty, energy, and doing the job right,” Macuch said. “That’s who we want to be as a company.”

Today, operating from two offices on King Street in Charleston, Red Lab Logistics serves as a key link between growers, manufacturers, shippers, and their downstream partners.

Its story is one of learning by doing, people over automation, and cultivating relationships that are built to last. And as Red Lab continues to grow, those principles remain firmly at the center of everything it moves.