At the Brown Derby Hotel in Louisville, KY., Robert S. Greiner and K. Kenneth Tarbell decide to take on a Sponge Rubber distributor territory located in Grand Rapids, MI. The Articles of Incorporation for G&T Distributors, Inc. were filed with the State of Michigan on December 28, 1954.
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1954
1957
Robert H. Wood, a specialist in vinyl-coated upholstery fabrics and vinyl wall coverings manufactured by B.F. Goodrich, joins the company. Together the three man team successfully directed G&T for the next 31 years
1963
Diversified Sales, Inc., is started in Elkhart, IN. Originally begun as an upholstery supply company.
1965
Our new office building is completed at 3413 Eastern Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI to accommodate our growth.
1975
The corporate name is changed to G&T Industries to reflect the growth in intricate fabrication and activity in increasingly diverse markets.
1977
A new foam fabricating plant is started in East Greenville, PA.
1981
A new foam fabricating plant is started in Lancaster, PA.
1985
The G&T Marine Division opens a design studio/showroom and warehouse facility in Maryville, TN.
1988
On June 5, Robert S. Greiner dies as the result of injuries sustained in a fall nine months earlier. K. Kenneth Tarbell retires on December 31, concluding the founders connection with G&T. Robert H. Wood remains as the owner and CEO of G&T Industries.
1993
G&T opens a new foam fabricating plant in Jasper, IN.
1995
World Resource Partners (WRP), an international sourcing and logistics company, is started in Grand Rapids, MI.
2005
Rol Grit is named President. The Wood Family sells the company to the employees using an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Program).
2006
The foam fabricating plants in Lancaster, PA, and Allentown, PA, are combined into one larger facility in Reading, PA. WRP moves from Grand Rapids main site location to a Byron Center, MI location.
2007
G&T formally opens Global Trading Solutions (GTS), a wholly owned foreign enterprise in Ningbo, China, to provide importing, consulting, and exporting services within the China market.
G&T purchases a minority interest in Promesa Logistics, LLC, a minority owned Transportation Company and moves the business to Byron Center, MI.
2008
G&T builds a 205,000 sq. ft. Midwest Fulfillment Center to house all of the manufacturing and distribution activities for the Midwest Region. G&T’s corporate headquarters also moves into this new site located in Byron Center, MI.
2010
The old adage, the best steel is created by the hottest fires certainly is applicable to GT in the timeframe of 2008-2010. Many of our markets and customers were negatively impacted by the severe economic recession. To remain a vital and viable company, we sharpened our focus, diversified our product offerings, and reduced our need for outside leverage. New GT branded products emerged, improved efficiencies and quality processes were implemented, and value added programs which aided our customer’s needs for speed and cost containment were introduced. GT has not only weathered the storm, but come out the other side a stronger partner for both our suppliers and customers alike.
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