Crystal Cleveland, Xebec International Logistics, LLC CEO: “We deliver complete logistics solutions so you can focus on innovations and growth. We want to support you every step of the way.”

In 2022, Xebec International Logistics was created and established to provide reasonable and efficient logistics solutions to clients with trouble locating affordable and dependable logistics solutions for import and export shipments and warehousing space to accommodate the ever-changing market. XIL provides high-quality Freight forwarding and 4PL services to clients of various industries. These industries include food, healthcare, industrial, aerospace, and automotive manufacturers. XIL specializes in providing efficient and cost-effective services with short transit times. The company’s unique transit system allows for greater visibility of the entire freight forwarding process, whether the client requires air, sea, and road or rail transportation.

XIL’s expertise in providing freight forwarding and 4PL services to companies in multiple sectors of the global trade industry help all company divisions successfully attract and retain clients in the United States and continuously provide high-quality logistics support to all clients.

In conversation with Crystal Cleveland, CEO of Xebec International Logistics, LLC

Q. Unanticipated Costs, Potential for Setbacks, Integration Difficulties, and Quality Suffers are an inevitable part of logistics. How do you overcome these without disrupting the business flow?

XIL specializes in providing a wide variety of services to companies operating in all Global Trade industries and is properly equipped to support and offer turnkey solutions that combine our warehousing services; transportation services; technology, vast logistics experience; and innovation. This is attractive to our customers who want to focus on their core competencies. While relying on XIL to custom design a supply chain that ensures all materials arrive on time for production and is engineered to deliver finished goods to customers when they are needed for the best value available. Our services are also offered to our clients separately. The client chooses the services needed to supplement their overall supply chain strategy.

Q. There is a talent war in logistics. Among the scarce pool of talent, how do you manage to source the best?

Employee engagement is a foundational component that our company utilizes to promote positive workplace outcomes. Our management focuses on listening to our employees and how the day-to-day business affects their engagement. Senior Management understands that engaged employees perform better, which differentiates our company culture from our competitors. We engage in the support of our employees and potential employees by striving to engage in support of their professional goals while maintaining a positive work-life and home-life balance. When onboarding new professionals we utilize their preferred references while also analyzing their past positions and professional achievements.

Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful leader?

The top three skills needed to become a successful leader in our industry a Leader would need to focus on:

Emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management) which is a critical skill for all leaders as it influences many other skills including communication, motivation, delegation, and flexibility.

Communication: This is critical to a leader because effective communication affects the efficiency of the group and determines how tasks are accomplished. To ensure these tasks are done correctly, you must determine if you’re exhibiting the effective communication skills required to inform your team of your goals and plan to achieve them.

The ability to bring out the Best performance: I do not mean to micromanage processes and tasks but instead utilize this skill to empower employees to do what they were hired for.

Q. What do you think is the most memorable moment in your career?

The most memorable moment in my career was working directly with the Turkish Consulate during the Earthquake Relief efforts in March 2023. We were able to provide the consulate with a donated space in our warehouse that allowed for donations to be received, sorted, and exported to Turkey. Through this process, Houston was ranked 2nd highest export city of goods for relief efforts.

Q. What other leaders do you look up to? Why?

I have had many mentors over the years and cannot give enough credit to those that have taken the time to sculpt me into an effective leader. These leaders I have watched and taken notes from have highly empowered employees and industry experts with their unique level of leadership qualities. Industry leaders that have remained humble during their prime are attractive to the business and I utilize this in my ongoing achievements. Building relationships is very important in this industry and I have focused to provide my skills and efforts to also provide guidance as those have done for me to new and upcoming performers in the trade industry.

Q. Do you have any new services ready to be launched?

We recently have been approved at our Houston facility to provide Customs Bonded storage to potential clients. We have also successfully become partners with several FTZ’s in the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Miami, and Port of New Jersey. Our rail services have taken a spike within the last quarter and have put us on the leadership platform for intermodal services.

Q. What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

As we continue to grow we are focused on providing our customers with world-class supply chain management solutions in a manner that meets the customer’s needs while placing the highest emphasis on integrity, quality, leadership, and efficiency in all that we do. We look forward to internal growth and building an exemplary team of individuals focused on providing high-quality logistics support to current and future clients.

Meet the leader behind the success of Xebec International Logistics, LLC

Crystal Cleveland is the CEO of Xebec International Logistics, LLC. Within a year, Crystal built a company with the help of her team and successfully moved thousands of metric tons of goods across the globe. From starting the company with $400 out of her home, she has managed to secure many industry leading clients which include Global Organics, one of the nation’s largest organic sugar importers, and Sumitomo, a leading Fortune 500 global trading company. With headquarters based in Houston, Texas, her plan is to focus on continued growth nationwide. While many business leaders might bask in the spotlight of success, Crystal continues to give credit to those she feels deserve it, her team of highly skilled professionals. She recognizes and appreciates her team as they have all walked away from thriving careers to come to work for her and build Xebec International Logistics into a world-renowned company. She personally believes in social responsibility and dedicates time and monies to support local youth and organizations that need assistance while educating those in need on economic resources that can help build our industry and provide a better future for those who are engaged in potential success.

“4PL logistics solutions from Xebec International Logistics enable our clients to focus on growing their business while utilizing our team of experts to manage our client’s logistics service providers and operations.”