2024 Lehmkuhl Top Ten: A Toast to the One Lineage Dream Team

Happy Holidays!

For those who have followed Lineage for some time now, you’ll know the Lehmkuhl Top Ten has become a bit of a tradition for me as we wrap up and reflect on the year – and what a year to look back on! No doubt, we accomplished a lot.

From more visible milestones to “quieter” achievements, I am so proud of the dynamic company we continue to build, the purpose-driven work we do, and the extraordinary team who powers it all.

I could spend days talking about our collective wins, but I’ll narrow it down to ten ways I think Lineage most profoundly impacted our customers, our team members, and the communities in which we live and work in 2024.

10. Investing in Lineage’s next generation of leaders

Anyone who has worked in a cold storage facility knows the Warehouse Supervisor keeps the blood of the cold chain pumping. They are the individuals responsible for serving frontline team members through the fast-paced, intricate operations that help our customers feed the world. Accordingly, we introduced the Lineage EDGE Program – an interactive cold chain leadership course designed to give Supervisors the tools and skills they need to be successful, as well as exposure to development opportunities that inspire them to think about what comes next.

I believe the EDGE program will fundamentally improve the experience of our Supervisors – and therefore the experience of our customers. Hats off to Lineage’s HR and Operations leaders for working together to launch this homegrown program, I can’t wait to see it flourish.

9. Convening the next generation of cold chain innovators

As part of our commitment to eliminating waste, we organized Lineage’s first ever global Food Chain Innovation Challenge and invited students, entrepreneurs and startups to pitch their solutions aimed at tackling food waste. We received more than 230 applications from teams around the world for events held in London, Amsterdam and San Francisco. Ryp Labs was crowned the winner for their biomimicry solution that increases the shelf-life of fresh produce, receiving a $50,000 investment from Lineage Ventures and a spot in a Lineage-led incubator program during the first half of 2025.

Congratulations to the Ryp Labs team! From one cold chain innovator to another, we’re excited to be part of an industry that tirelessly works to transform how food moves around the world.

8. Patenting solutions in service of our customers’ supply chains

Innovation and bold are two of our values at Lineage so it’s no surprise that we continue to research, develop and pilot new ways to build a better cold chain. Those efforts were highlighted earlier this year when we received our 100th patent. This is a remarkable achievement but it’s even more impressive when you understand the impact these innovations have in our operations.

As explained by Sudarsan Thattai, Lineage’s Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer, each patent represents a solution to a real-world problem and enhances the food supply chain’s speed, strength and reliability. Congratulations to the entire team on this incredible work! Let’s see what you set out to solve next.

7. Partnering with customers to fight food waste

Part and parcel to reimagining the world’s food supply chain is working to reduce food waste. And there are no greater partners in this fight than our like-minded and generous customers. In 2024, more than 150 Lineage customers participated in our Customer Product Donation program to donate surplus product to food banks, soup kitchens and community organizations around the world. In total, these donations equal more than 10.6 million meals.

Thank you so much to our customers as well as Hannah Hoskins and the Lineage Foundation for Good team for making this program (and these donations) possible!

6. Empowering our team members to give back to our communities

I was thrilled to see this year’s introduction of our “Time for Good” program, which pays Lineage team members up to 8 hours each year to volunteer in their communities. Many have used their Time for Good to support causes that they feel passionate about, and I’ve enjoyed seeing them share photos on social media of their efforts, which have resulted in over 10,000 volunteer hours in 2024.

This program has taken off thanks to our 100+ Champions for Good, like Swemy Sanchez Roman, who step out of their daily Lineage responsibilities to organize activities and connect team members with volunteer opportunities near our facility locations. Thank you to Swemy and all of our Champions for Good for embodying our value of servant leadership and inspiring others to give back!

5. Talking about the importance of resilient food systems

This fall, we sponsored new research conducted by Economist Impact exploring the connection between food infrastructure and economic development. This report is part of Economist Impact’s Food Imperative, which is designed to arm decision-makers with the data, insights and tools they need to develop more sustainable and secure solutions in their commitment to transform global food systems for the future.

I’m so proud that Lineage is helping to drive a conversation about the vital role that cold chain infrastructure plays in creating long-term solutions to hunger, reducing waste globally and creating a well fed future. It’s an unequivocal reminder that what we do matters.

4. Streamlining customer supply chains through enhanced Integrated Solutions

Across our deep and diversified Integrated Solutions segment, we implemented additional services in 2024 that allow customers to further streamline their supply chains. We expanded freight forwarding services for imports and exports. We announced our partnership with Telegraph to provide enhanced railcar telematics for Lineage rail service customers. We introduced our Canada cross-border program that provides North American customers with competitive pricing, a fast and reliable transit schedule and access to warehousing and transportation capacity on both sides of the border.

Whether customers need to shuttle their products locally or make transcontinental moves, our Integrated Solutions team stands ready to chart an intelligent, customized supply chain that also leverages our leading global warehousing network.

3. Strengthening our facility network through M&A and new construction

Lineage has long held the ethos that our aim isn’t to be the biggest – rather, we are rooted in our vision of being the most dynamic temperature-controlled supply chain partner by providing solutions in the markets our customers need them most. To that end, we made strategic acquisitions this year in the US Midwest, Italy and Belgium. In addition, we opened new cold storage warehouses in Phoenix, Arizona, and Hazleton, Pennsylvania; completed an expansion at our facility in Lebork, Poland; and announced plans to expand operations in Bremerhaven, Germany and Hobart, Indiana.

With more than 450 locations (and growing!) in nearly every corner of the globe, we rely on our outstanding Lineage team members to operate at the highest levels for our customers every day. I couldn’t be more impressed, or grateful, for their continued dedication to helping feed the world.

2. IP-GO!

July 2024 marked the beginning of a new chapter in our company history with the successful completion of our IPO. It was incredibly gratifying to be part of our Listing Day activities and watch as years of preparation culminated in such a tremendous way – namely, the recognition of 2024’s largest IPO.

No doubt, this achievement is a testament to the One Lineage team’s exceptional efforts and unwavering belief in the company we created together. Which brings me to the #1 spot on Lehmkuhl’s Top 10...

1. Honoring the One Lineage team’s contributions with Starting LINE Awards

Immediately following the IPO, we announced our team members were becoming Lineage owners through our Starting LINE awards. This moment is without question my favorite because of the impact it had on the thousands of team members who received grants of stock, restricted stock units or cash bonuses in honor of the indelible marks each and every one has made on the company Lineage is today. Seeing footage from these celebrations around the globe and hearing stories of team members’ reactions to the news is truly moving, and it will stand out as the ultimate highlight of 2024.

Congratulations to our more than 26,000 team members, and I can’t wait to see how you apply an empowered ownership mindset in the year to come!

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Like I said in the beginning, I could go on and on about the year’s remarkable achievements, stunning performance, unbelievable generosity, winning culture, and the special team that made 2024 possible.

To our valued Lineage team members: You have earned the rest and celebration the holidays bring. Thank you for living our values, protecting our customers’ products, working to continuously make Lineage a company in which we can all be proud.

See you in 2025!

All the best,
Greg