Hermann Services Celebrates its 85th Anniversary!

Now in its fourth generation of family ownership and operation, Hermann Services fields a deep bench of family talent in all departments: Leasing, Transportation, Warehousing, Maintenance, Logistics, and Finance. However, the company attributes its staying power not only to a successful family succession plan that has lasted for 85 years, but also to creating a family environment for all employees over that time.

“It is the commitment and hard work of employees that have helped spur company growth over the years,” says Dennis W. Hermann, President, Hermann Transportation. “More than our equipment and facilities, it is the drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, logistics professionals, and warehouse and office personnel who are the company’s greatest asset.”

The Hermann management team has always maintained an open door policy for employees and clients alike to discuss solutions, voice opinions, and resolve issues swiftly. “Because we do not manufacture or provide a product, we must provide flawless service,” says Rich Hermann, President, Hermann Leasing. “If the service is defective, our customer cannot bring it back to us. That’s why we like to instill a family environment into our corporate culture. Everyone shares the same goal of driving costs down, adding value, and providing that special Hermann touch of service in everything we do.”

Indeed, as Hermann Services evolved from 20 drivers when Rich first began working in the shop part time to well above 500 drivers in 2012 as he was named President, Hermann Leasing, one thing that has not changed are the rates.

The company has continually improved efficiencies and economies of scale to support the same trucking rates as it offered back in 1996. As increased regulations over the years have mandated increased investments in equipment and placed a crunch on the driver pool, Hermann Services has always been able to attract and retain both talent at all levels and clientele in all industries.

“We’ve been around for a very long time and we intend to stick around for a very long time,” adds Rich Hermann. “Everyone has had to go through some belt-tightening through the recent recession, but we feel good about the future. To us it was an exercise in becoming lean while increasing our productivity. For example, we’ve added density to our warehouse racking while decreasing square footage, which will help us maintain our competitive advantage.”

Looking forward, Hermann Services is prepared to accept new business that is returning or entering the logistics industry. The Leasing division has acquired smaller regional businesses to extend the company’s service areas throughout the I-95 corridor. And the company has aligned with key partners to continually add value to its entire logistics service offering. With more than 85 years of know-how literally in the company DNA, Hermann Services has become an industry leader through smart investments, value-added services, and experienced, expert logistics management.

But it always comes back to the men and women who work with, not for, the company. “We want our employees to feel that it’s more than a job to work here. We want them to have a career with us,” says Rich Hermann. “We look for people who place an emphasis on the importance of their own families. We understand the life/work balance and that it is just as important to spend time with family as it is to provide for their families.”