Gurtler Logistics Celebrates First Year of Service

One year ago, Gurtler Industries Inc. launched Gurtler Logistics, a fully owned and operated division of the company, dedicated to providing product-delivery services to its customers. Over the last few years, the industry has experienced increased challenges with delivery services due to the availability of appropriate trucks and drivers. To meet these challenges, Gurtler invested in its own fleet of semi-tractor/trailers and bulk tankers and hired its own staff of fully qualified drivers.

“The formation of our logistics unit allows us to better control our delivery services, keeping our promise of on-time delivery,” said Greg Gurtler, president of Gurtler Industries. “Plus, our customers benefit from having a Gurtler employee on site for personalized delivery service.”

Gurtler now delivers 100% of its bulk chemical orders and most full truckload orders for packaged goods. Also, Gurtler delivers less-than-truckload orders and combined customer orders wherever possible. Recently, Gurtler Logistics made the first run to the West Coast from its Chicago-area headquarters.

Gurtler’s fleet currently consists of eight tractors, six 53-foot trailers, one 53-foot insulated/refrigerated trailer, three multi-compartment bulk liquid, 4000-gallon tankers and two single-compartment tankers. Plus, there are plans to add to the fleet, as the company continues to expand its service area. Gurtler now employs eight company drivers and one contracted owner/operator, plus two logistics planners in the South Holland, IL, headquarters facility.

In addition to delivering customer orders, Gurtler bulk liquid tankers also pick up bulk chemical raw materials from vendor terminals in the greater Chicago area. As an additional service to customers, Gurtler trucks pick up empty containers such as chemical 220- or 330-gallon totes and 55-gallon drums across most of the eastern U.S.

Greg Gurtler is encouraged by the successes of this initiative. “Our customers say they appreciate our continued commitment to being a value-added partner,” he said. “Plus, they see this as another example of how Gurtler reacts to problems and implements solutions.” Brett Jasik, director of Gurtler Logistics added that, “I am extremely pleased at how fast our operation has grown and met our early goals. Having our own drivers and trucks gives us better control over continually rising costs and ensures more efficient and safer delivery of our chemicals. And on-time delivery performance makes our customers’ operations run more smoothly.”

For more information, visit www.gurtler.com.