Supply Chain Point: Launching a 3PL with Rodney Galeano

In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Rodney Galeano, Founder and CEO of Loki 3PL, about his journey from overseeing massive warehouse operations to launching his own third-party logistics company. Recorded live at Supply Chain Point 2025, Rodney opens up about the hustle, the strategy, and the sheer grit it took to launch a fully operational 3PL in under six weeks, with clients, forklifts, a WMS, and thousands of pallets ready to go.

Rodney shares how his extensive industry experience and strong relationships enabled him to transition from idea to execution in record time. From subleasing space and signing tech contracts to building a reliable team and onboarding clients, his story offers a raw, real look at what it takes to succeed in the ultra-competitive 3PL space. The conversation also touches on his take on tech investments, client expectations, and the naming inspiration behind “Loki.”

Launching a 3PL from the Ground Up

Building a 3PL from scratch is no easy feat, but Rodney came to the table with something rare: trust and clientele. As he explains, “I had the clientele that had a couple thousand pallets… we’re talking close to a hundred truckloads worth of product and it needed to go somewhere and it needed to go fast.” That immediate demand gave him the confidence—and the urgency—to launch.

In just 48 hours, he secured warehouse space, signed his WMS contract, sourced a forklift, and registered Loki 3PL. He also finalized branding, insurance, and payroll systems within six weeks. “All gas, no brakes… fast lane, gear five, ripping a hundred-hour week,” he says, describing the breakneck pace. But for Rodney, launching a 3PL wasn’t chaos; it was clarity. His years of experience launching over 25 warehouses made him decisive, demanding, and highly efficient.

Naming Loki and Embracing Disruption

Finding a name was unexpectedly one of the most challenging aspects of launching his company. After rejecting dozens of ideas already in use, inspiration finally struck during a conversation with his girlfriend. “Samantha brings up that Nike was a Greek god… so maybe we could find another god’s name,” Rodney recalls. That led them to Loki, the Norse god of mischief and disruption.

The name stuck because it captured both Rodney’s personality and his vision. “I’m always coming into teams and places and I’m like, just being a disruptor in a way that’s beneficial to everybody,” he says. From there, he quickly trademarked “Loki 3PL,” launched the website, and began assembling a hybrid team to scale operations.

Tech, Trust, and the Real Cost of Innovation

Rodney’s insights into warehouse technology come from years of firsthand experience. And while he’s no stranger to robotics and advanced systems, he’s clear-eyed about what actually drives results. “80% of the eCommerce 3PLs out there don’t have wildly advanced technology,” he says. What matters most when launching a 3PL is delivering on the customer promise to build trust and loyalty.

He reinforces that most brands won’t pay for expensive tech unless it directly supports their KPIs. “What value does it bring? If it takes 10, 15, 20 years [for ROI], you look at that with a different lens,” he notes. Instead, Rodney focuses on practical technology, such as robust WMS, Slack channels for real-time fixes, and intelligent packaging software that supports client outcomes without breaking the bank.

Key Takeaways on Launching a 3PL

• Loki 3PL was launched in under six weeks, handling thousands of inbound pallets and implementing a fully operational WMS.
• Trust, hustle, and strong relationships formed the foundation for the company’s rapid success.
• The name “Loki” reflects a bold and disruptive approach to logistics, aligning with the founder’s personality and vision.
• Most 3PLs do not utilize advanced robotics, yet they still fulfill high order volumes with robust systems and disciplined processes.
• Budget constraints and long ROI timelines remain the biggest barriers to adopting advanced warehouse technology.
• Operational excellence and responsiveness often matter more to clients than flashy automation.

Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.

Guest Information

Follow Loki 3PL on LinkedIn and visit their website here.

To connect with Rodney on LinkedIn, click here.

Email directly at  sales@loki3pl.com

For more information about launching a 3PL, check out the podcasts below. 

587: Lucas Solutions on Startup Lessons, 3PL Strategy, and Relationship-Driven Growth

545: Quality Fuels Growth for 3PL Provider ShipLab

537: Delta Fulfillment’s Approach to 3PL Partnerships and Growth