Grand Rapids, Mich.,-based Gainey Transportation Services, Inc. recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official start of construction on the new Fort Wayne, Ind., campus for Gainey Specialized Transportation (GST). This follows the May 2005 GST acquisition of the former blanket wrap business unit of North American Van Lines, an operation that has traditionally focused on the careful packing and transporting of items such as large fixtures for major retailers across the country.
Since the acquisition GST has continued to reinvest and grow its presence in Allen County. In September, 2005 GST also acquired the former flat bed business unit from NAVL. The new project involves a 10-acre parcel of property on the west side of Kroemer Road, just south of U.S. 30 and directly south of the site of the new Sweetwater Sound global headquarters complex currently under construction.
Approximately five acres of paved surface will be created in addition to the construction of an 8,500 square foot building to serve as an Operations and Driver Support Center. The $2 million campus is expected to be ready for occupancy this December. Fort Wayne-based Lawrence Construction is serving as general contractor for the project and P.A. Troyer (LaOtto, Ind.) is the architect. Site engineering was provided by Schnelker Engineering (Fort Wayne). NAI Harding Dahm (Fort Wayne) helped facilitate the real estate transaction.
The business unit acquisitions and construction project underscores GTS’ strategy to add to the mix of services offered to existing and prospective customers.
“We’ve been extremely pleased with the level of business and the performance of our local employees and contractors over the past year,” stated GTS North Central Regional Manager George Brooks. “As we stated in 2005, GTS has definite growth plans for these business units headquartered here in Allen County.”
Approximately 30 GST employees are employed locally. In addition, over 220 Independent Owner-Operators service customers around the nation. Both of those numbers will increase over time as new opportunities are identified, according to Brooks.
The City of Fort Wayne assisted the initial transition from NAVL to GST with a $20,000 performance-based training grant. The City, Allen County, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation will continue to support GST in any way possible.
A subsidiary of Gainey Corporation, Gainey Transportation Services (GTS) began in 1984 as an unincorporated trucking brokerage service, utilizing owner-operators. Later that year, the company also became an agent for Ligon Nationwide, a national truckload carrier. Operation authority as a direct carrier for 48 states was granted on May 15, 1985.
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