Bulk transporter Custom Commodities, headquartered in Gilmer, Texas, and its associated businesses are rebranding as Custom to better encompass the expanded capabilities of the combined operation, which continues to grow.
Custom also recently broke ground on a new transload facility and depot in Longview.
The rebranding includes warehouse operator Plastic Conversion Services, transload terminal operator Lift, and other endeavors, Custom reported. The new identifiers for each business unit are Custom Transport, Custom Warehousing, Custom Multimodal, Custom Leasing, and Custom Brokerage, with Custom used for general branding.
“We are very proud of our heritage in the trucking industry and remain committed to providing our customers with the very best service to meet their specific needs,” David L. Stevenson, Custom owner, said in a news release. “The company has grown dramatically, however, and now provides a full range of logistics and other solutions, so we need a name that reflects all of our capabilities and the white glove service we deliver.
“Our mission has always been ‘To provide our customers solutions specific to their business needs.’ To enhance our team culture, we also want to have everyone under one corporate umbrella. The new name and logo capture these commitments.”
Stevenson launched Custom as Custom Commodities Transport—which Bulk Transporter profiled in this 2021 article—in the 1980s. He subsequently acquired Elliott Truck Line, J. Moore Transporters, Tommy Ellis Trucking, Blue Flash Express, and, most recently, both Plastic Conversion Services and Plastic Transit. The new Custom branding was developed by a cross-functional team with input from the company’s c-suite.
“The rebranding was the result of a comprehensive process to understand the actual perceived brand resulting from our capabilities and years of service with our stakeholders,” said David A. Stevenson, Custom executive vice president. “Once we had a concept from the feedback, we engaged our customers, team members, and partners with the new name and resulting logo to ensure that everyone is part of the new Custom community.
“Custom remains a family-run business based in East Texas dedicated to providing our customers with a superior experience and supporting our stakeholders and the communities where we operate.
“Having this new clear brand identity and a unified message helps us achieve these goals.”
Custom breaks ground on multimodal facility
Custom executives marked the beginning of construction for the company’s latest multimodal distribution facility by driving a “golden spike” into the location’s new rail spur. The facility, capable of transloading “thousands” of railcars and trucks per year with a max capacity over 630 cars, is located on a 175-acre tract that will interchange with Union Pacific.
The site, located near Interstate 20, is expected to be operating within 12 months, Custom reported.
The site will feature all the equipment needed to move bulk and packaged product between rail cars and truck trailers for both first- and last-mile shipments. It will offer storage and warehousing services, hopper transfers, and rail car/trailer washing in support of the packaging, plastics recycling, and chemical industries.
“We’re proud of this new site and the potential it represents for the local Longview economy and our company. Our team is committed to providing the local, national and global shippers supported by this rail terminal with the highest level of customer service while ensuring a safe workplace for everyone,” David L. Stevenson said. “The Longview multimodal distribution facility also shows our commitment to the region by adding dozens of high-paying construction and then permanent operating jobs.”