R&S Announces New 3PL Class with University of Tennessee as part of Global Supply Chain Institute

December 31, 2025

R&S Logistics and R&S Warehousing Solutions are used interchangeably in this blog post. They are one and the same company!

Portrait of Joe Michalik, President & COO of R&S Logistics, leading warehousing and fulfillment operations.

Quote from Joe, CEO of R&S Logistics

We are really excited for the launch of this class. It's an exciting opportunity for us and for students at UT, especially since we're so close to the campus. It seemed like a natural fit. Personally, I would have loved a class like this when I was in college as I preferred more hands-on, interactive learning experiences. I hope students enjoy this type of class and that it benefits them now and in their future careers.

R&S Logistics Announces New Partnership with the University of Tennessee for Spring 2026 Supply Chain Management Course 

At R&S Logistics, we’ve always believed that the strength of our industry depends on the strength of the people who enter it. That’s why we’re excited to share a milestone that reflects our commitment to developing the next generation of supply chain leaders: a new collaborative partnership with the University of Tennessee for an upcoming Spring 2026 course in Supply Chain Management.   

This collaboration brings together UT’s nationally recognized supply chain program and R&S’s operational expertise along with other industry leaders to create an educational experience rooted in real-world insight, innovation, and the values that define our work every day.  

The goal of this course is more than academic. It’s real-world training where students will not only know key definitions, but they’ll actually perform key operations. 

A Partnership Built on Shared Purpose 

The University of Tennessee has long been a pioneer in supply chain education. At R&S Logistics, we’ve spent years solving complex logistics challenges, optimizing distribution networks, and supporting clients across manufacturing, retail, and beyond. 

This industry-directed partnership unites classroom learning with real operational perspective. Students will learn the day-to-day realities in the logisticsindustry like capacity planning, warehouse automation, labor optimization, transportation strategy, and customer-centric operations. They’ll be equipped with firsthand knowledge on the processes and people powering modern logistics. At the end of course, students will be trained to operate forklifts, certified in Lean Six Sigma and principles of continuous improvement. 

  

Beginning Spring 2026, students can expect to learn:  

  1. Industry-Driven Case Studies

We’ll share real scenarios from our operations from multi-facility inventory planning to scaling fulfillment during peak seasons so that students can apply their academic knowledge to realistic challenges. 

  1. On-Site Learning at R&S Facilities and Other Major Industry Brands

Students will experience behind the scenes tours to Bush Beans, DENSO, Pilot, and others, not to mention weekly courses held at one of R&S’ Knoxville locations. In this hands-on environment, they’ll be exposed to strategic, innovative practices of these industry leaders. This unique experience will ensure their enhanced value to employers after graduation. 

  1. Guest Lectures from R&S Leaders

Members of our operations, HR, brokerage, and customer relations teams will join as guest speakers throughout the semester, providing practical insights into the industry on topics from inbound receiving and quality control to managing personnel challenges, running freight, and ensuring customer satisfaction.  

Investing in Our Industry’s Future 

Supply chain management continues to grow in complexity and importance. The next generation will need adaptability, creativity, and a firm understanding of automation, technology, and warehousing fundamentals. (We actually wrote a post about this last spring based on this research done by UT supply chain executives. It’s super informative about trends to be aware of for Gen Z in the supply chain world.) By collaborating with UT’s talented faculty and students, R&S Logistics is proud to help shape a future workforce in the logistics industry. 

Looking Ahead to Spring 2026 

We can’t wait to welcome UT students into our facilities. Together, we’re building something bigger than a class. We’re building a talent pipeline, a community partnership, and the next wave of innovators who will define the logistics industry for years to come.   

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to Spring 2026. At R&S Logistics, the future of supply chain starts now, and it starts here in Big Orange Country.  

🚚 We're a culture of humble, hungry, and smart.

At R&S Logistics, everyone desires to learn and grow. This is just another way we’re getting to do that alongside students at UT.

“The reliability, flexibility, and professionalism of R&S make me know that I have a business partner I can rely on. It’s one less thing that I have to worry about.”

Jeremy Smith, Primient