PITT OHIO History

Hammel’s Express

At PITT OHIO, our core values and business practices have been passed down from generation to generation. Charles Senior was the first in the Hammel family to start in the transportation industry opening Hammel’s Express in 1919 with a horse, a buggy and one customer. In the 1940’s his son, Charles Hammel, Jr., continued in the family business, which became the foundation from which Charles (Chuck) Hammel, III began to learn and love the transportation industry.

With deregulation of the transportation industry, Charles Junior’s vision to provide next-day service to his customers between states was realized when he provided the guidance and funding for his sons to start their own business.

PITT OHIO EXPRESS

Chuck and his two brothers, Bob and Ken, bought 3 trucks and leased a small one-door warehouse in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1979, they began moving freight between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Ohio – thus naming their business PITT OHIO EXPRESS.

Between 1979 and 1983, the company opened terminals in Cleveland, Ohio, Baltimore, Maryland, Norristown, Pennsylvaniaand Charleston, West Virginia. Over the next 10 years, PITT OHIO EXPRESS opened 6 more terminals throughout Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company built their business on providing outstanding service to customers along with stretching next day lanes farther than any other carrier in the LTL industry.

1986 marked the first year that PITT OHIO EXPRESS coordinated the Boy Scouts of America’ Scouting for Food efforts throughout the tri state area.

In 1993, PITT OHIO EXPRESS won its first Quest for Quality Award from Logistics Management Magazine, which ranks carriers based on customer satisfaction.

By 1994, PITT OHIO EXPRESS employed 1,000 employees throughout 10 terminals. The company was operating 525 trailers and 450 tractors and delivering 3,500 shipments, 100% direct, throughout a 12,000 point region in 7 states – 95% overnight. Through voluntary employee contribution, PITT OHIO EXPRESS made its first check presentation to The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In the mid to late 90’s, PITT OHIO updated its logo and opened five more terminals throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

1999 was a big year for PITT OHIO EXPRESS. The company launched its first website and celebrated its 20th Anniversary by opening a new corporate office headquarters in the Strip District area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PITT OHIO EXPRESS became the first regional carrier to offer an expedited service, which the company named Fast Track. For the first time, PITT OHIO EXPRESS donated to and participated in the Walk For Autism in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and added Autism Speaksto its list of corporate charities.

“We’re Always There For You!”

With the new millennium also came a new tag phrase to the logo as PITT OHIO EXPRESS added “We’re Always There For You!” The company also opened an additional four terminals and added the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to its list of corporate charities.

In 2001, service to Detroit, Michigan was offered for the first time and PITT OHIO EXPRESS also began shipping to the southern United States through a partnership with Averitt Express. In response to September 11th, PITT OHIO EXPRESS employees began supporting The American Red Cross through voluntary payroll deduction along with sending trucks into New York City loaded with computers and other supplies to assist in the effort of getting the city back on its feet.

PITT OHIO EXPRESS expanded its coverage area yet again in 2003 and opened a terminal in Chicago, Illinois. In conjunction with its environmental efforts, the company participated in The Great PA Cleanup and eventually expanded this beautification effort to all of its 21 terminals.

By 2004, PITT OHIO EXPRESS employed 2454 employees through 21 terminals. The company was operating 1,550 trailers, 607 tractors, 309 straight trucks, 40 non-CDL straight trucks and 13 non-CDL vans delivering record breaking 9,000 shipments daily to over 14,000 destinations with a 98% on-time delivery record. PITT OHIO EXPRESS received its 11th consecutive Quest for Quality Award, regarded in the transportation industry as the most prestigious award for customer satisfaction. For the first time, an expedited category was added to the survey and our expedited service, FAST TRACK, was recognized among national carriers.

ECM TRANSPORT

By acquiring a partnership interest in ECM TRANSPORT, LLC in 2005, PITT OHIO EXPRESS launched a TRUCKLOAD service which includes 300 tractors and 1200 trailers.

In 2006, PITT OHIO EXPRESS expanded its coverage again to include the Greater Triad Cities of North Carolina including Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point. In the same year, PITT OHIO expanded its coverage area further west by opening terminals in Indianapolis, Indiana and Battle Creek, Michigan.

The Reliance Network

PITT OHIO EXPRESS continued expanding its coverage area in 2007 by joining 5 other carriers to form The Reliance Network, which spans all of North America, while also expanding its coverage to New York City and Long Island through a partnership with Sunline Express. In an effort to encourage employees and their families to make healthier choices, PITT OHIO EXPRESS introduced a company-wide wellness initiative that includes a stretching program called Occupational Athletics. PITT OHIO expanded its fundraising efforts to include all 21 terminals and added The Boys & Girls Clubs of America as a fifth beneficiary.

LTL Services

PITT OHIO EXPRESS responded to our customer’s need for a Protect From Freezing service and introduced Heat Track in 2008 and improved service standards to Louisville, Kentucky with The Reliance Network in 2009. The company also released mobile web and applications in 2009 allowing customers to access PITT OHIO Anytime. Anywhere. Additionally in 2009, PITT OHIO began connecting with its customers and employees via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

PITT OHIO GROUND

In 2010, PITT OHIO EXPRESS responded again to our customer’s need for a more flexible small package solution and began offering a GROUND service. Improvements were also made to The Reliance Network with the addition of two new carriers covering the Western United States. The company received its 16th Quest for Quality Award for its LTL service and its expedited service, FAST TRACK, received its 6th Award, ranking first among six other carriers.

Expanding and Rebranding

In addition to expanding beyond the days when deliveries were made between only Pittsburgh and Ohio, PITT OHIO has expanded its service offerings over the past 30 years. PITT OHIO EXPRESS is no longer “just” an LTL (or trucking) company. In 2011, PITT OHIO EXPRESS changed its name to PITT OHIO to better reflect the transportation solutions provider it has evolved to. A new logo and website were launched. PITT OHIO maintains its signature commitment of “We’re Always There For You!” and our core services – SUPPLY CHAIN, GROUND, LTL and TRUCKLOAD serve as the company’s foundation.

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