ImEx Cargo celebrates its 25th Anniversary by launching Plug-In Freight Ops™ — a cutting-edge digital portal that allows users to quote, book, and track cargo in seconds. CEO Michelle DeFronzo shares how this platform is revolutionizing logistics, empowering women in freight, and redefining transparency in the air cargo industry.
Interview Q&A
Q: What specific challenges in the “traditionally opaque” air cargo industry inspired you to create the Plug-In Freight Ops™ digital portal?
Michelle DeFronzo: After more than three decades in cargo logistics, I’ve seen how much time and opportunity get lost in emails, spreadsheets, and manual quoting. The air-cargo industry still relies on processes that haven’t evolved in 40 years — pricing requests buried in inboxes, AWB numbers tracked on paper, and data scattered across multiple systems. We created Plug-In Freight Ops™ to solve that. It brings real-time transparency and instant decision-making into an industry that has historically been reactive. I wanted a single platform that gives freight forwarders, airlines, and government buyers the power to quote, book, and track in seconds, the same way travelers book flights online. It’s about modernizing the experience while keeping human relationships at the center.
Q: Plug-In Freight Ops™ is described as an all-in-one solution. What are the key features a new user, like an airline or freight forwarder or shipper, will benefit from immediately upon logging in?
Michelle DeFronzo: From the very first login, users see the simplicity we’ve built into a complex industry. Key features include instant quoting across air, ground, and interline routes; smart booking that consolidates carrier options, rates, and capacity; real-time tracking with AWB visibility; custom analytics and reporting; and a user-friendly design built so even small shippers can operate like major logistics firms. Everything happens inside one secure environment, reducing friction, errors, and delays.
Q: How does providing instant, real-time quotes and tracking change the day-to-day operations and decision-making for your clients?
Michelle DeFronzo: It’s transformational. Our clients no longer lose hours chasing updates or comparing rates. With Plug-In Freight Ops™, they can see cost, capacity, and transit options instantly, make data-driven decisions, and respond to customer requests on the spot. For airlines and partners, it delivers market intelligence — real-time visibility into route performance, demand, and customer trends. For freight forwarders and government agencies, it means faster procurement, accountability, and compliance reporting. We’re turning what used to take days into minutes, giving every stakeholder more control over both time and margin.
Q: As a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry, you’ve spoken about the need to “work harder and prove yourself.” How does launching this proprietary technology platform fit into your long-term business strategy?
Michelle DeFronzo: For 25 years, ImEx Cargo has proven that innovation and integrity win business. Being a certified WBE, WOSB, DBE, and ACDBE means we’ve not only broken barriers — we’ve built credibility through performance. Plug-In Freight Ops™ is the next evolution of that journey. It represents our transition from a traditional service provider to a digital logistics ecosystem. I want this platform to empower the next generation of freight professionals — especially women — to step into leadership roles without having to fight the same uphill battles. My vision is to scale beyond myself — to build something that continues to operate, grow, and innovate long after I’m not running day-to-day operations.
Q: The portal’s launch aligns with National Supply Chain Month and Women in Logistics Month. What message do you hope this sends to the industry, and what’s next for the platform?
Michelle DeFronzo: Timing this launch with National Supply Chain Month and Women in Logistics Month was intentional. It sends a message that technology and diversity are not separate conversations — they are both key to the future of global logistics. As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, this milestone proves that a woman-owned business can lead with innovation, longevity, and resilience in one of the most competitive industries in the world. Next, we’re expanding Plug-In Freight Ops™ into a white-label and reseller model, allowing airlines, forwarders, and government primes to license the platform for their own operations. The vision is global interoperability — connecting every mode, every region, every partner, through one digital freight network.
Q: What does this 25-year milestone mean for you personally and for the ImEx Cargo team?
Michelle DeFronzo: Reaching 25 years is emotional. It represents decades of sacrifice, late nights, pivots, and perseverance. There were moments I thought about giving up — but every time, I remembered the people watching, the next generation of logistics professionals who saw in me what they could become. This anniversary is a thank-you to every customer, partner, and employee who believed in our vision. Plug-In Freight Ops™ is not the end of that story — it’s the platform that will carry us, and them, into the next 25 years.
Call to Action
To learn more about the portal, visit https://imexcargo.com/plug-in-freight-ops-tm-beta/
Plug-In Freight Ops™ — Quote. Book. Track. Transform.
Request Demo: https://demo.plug-infreightops.com
