The growth of Grammer Logistics under the ownership of its private-equity management group now includes a newly established commercial headquarters in the Houston-area suburb of The Woodlands, Texas.
The new location, at 2001 Timberloch Place, will serve as a central station for Grammer’s commercial team, and business development activities that support its growing customer base. The company said its corporate office will remain in Columbus, Ind.
“We are very excited to open our commercial office in the heart of the chemicals capital of the world,” said Patrick Maher, Grammer’s new chief commercial officer. “Our Houston location will bring the Grammer team closer to the needs of our customers as we work to develop tailored solutions for their business.”
Maher, who’s based out of the new office, said the location eventually will house a staff of 10-15 employees working to expand the company’s reach with new and current customers, and its services for new commodities, particularly within the chemical sector. Grammer currently specializes in transporting anhydrous ammonia, liquefied petroleum gas, carbon dioxide, nitric acid, cryogenic liquids, and other bulk hazardous liquids.
“We wanted to establish a central hub for our sales team, really grow our sales staff from there, and create a back-office environment that is specifically designed for the customer side,” Maher said. “So next year it will include positions across marketing and business development that align with our growth strategy.
“It’s all about being closer to our customers in a more centralized environment.”
Grammer operates more than 20 terminal locations across the United States, and is planning to add a Houston-based terminal in early 2022 as part of its expansion strategy.
The company that was founded as Grammer Industries in 1968 by Charles “Shorty” Whittington has remained in a transformative growth mode since it was purchased by Stellex Capital Management, in partnership with Great Mill Rock, in October 2018.
At the time, Grammer’s fleet included 250 drivers and 350 tank trailers. The acquisition of Sterling Transport in April 2019 grew its business to 350 tractors, 850 trailers, and more than 500 company and owner-operator drivers; and adding LiMarCo Logistics in December 2019 secured another 26 tractors, 41 trailers, and the Corpus location.
The company hired James Winton—formerly of Trimac Transportation, Dupré Logistics, and McKenzie Tank Lines—as its first chief operating officer, and changed its name to Grammer Logistics, last year; and brought in Maher, who previously worked at Gulf Winds International, in June as part of a recent leadership change.
In addition, driver James Ellis was a finalist for NTTC’s 2020-21 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year.
“Grammer continues to invest in the talent, infrastructure, equipment, and training that the bulk liquids supply chain demands,” Maher said.
