On a spring morning in Houston this year, Jeff Hermann walked proudly through the lobby of his company’s newest warehouse and offices — a gleaming, state-of-the-art facility built over 18 months. For the fourth-generation chairman and CEO of Hermann Services, Inc., a family-owned transportation, warehousing and logistics company, the milestone meant more than bricks and mortar. It marked nearly a century-long tradition of industry leadership with a culture built around employees who serve many hundreds of valued customers and have a clear commitment to expansion.
Bringing a complex facility online 1,300 miles from the firm’s central New Jersey headquarters wasn’t easy. “We’re in the trucking and warehouse business, not construction,” Jeff said. “So, with projects of this scale, we needed partners who understood our business as well as construction and could help keep everything on track.”
One of his key allies is Bob Lemaire, Senior Relationship Manager at TD Bank U.S., who helped finance the project and closely monitored construction and cash flow.
“Bob is always available as a trusted business advisor and, on this project, was an integral part of our team,” Jeff said, noting that the company’s TD relationship goes back 20 years. “In fact, he brought onboard TD’s seasoned construction experts, and together they took part in weekly check-in calls with our general contractor and architect.”
From one truck for local deliveries to a nationwide reach
Hermann Services began in 1927 when Jeff’s great-grandparents Fred and Myrtle Hermann bought a single truck to deliver produce locally where the company’s headquarters now stand. Nearly 100 years later, the firm employs nearly 500 people and manages more than 1.8 million square feet of warehouse space across nine facilities in the Northeast and Texas.
Led by Jeff, who joined the company while still in college, Hermann Services has held fast to its founding principles of integrity, value, service and logistics expertise. He reports that fifth-generation family members have already started their careers working in the business. “While it’s important to honor our past, it’s just as important to invest in our future, for the sake of our customers, our employees, and the communities where we operate,” he said.
Over the years, Hermann Services has built a reputation as an employer of choice, winning “Best Place to Work” awards for its New Jersey and Texas locations. From cook-off challenges and active participation in philanthropic activities to restored pool tables in break rooms — a tradition started by Jeff’s great-uncle, Ab Hermann — the focus has always been on fostering connections among employees. “Employee turnover in our industry is always a challenge,” Jeff said. “But because we treat everyone as family, our retention rates are much higher than average.”
Strategic expansion includes organic growth and acquisitions
That sense of connection extends to company growth. Traditionally, the company has relied on organic expansion, carefully adding real estate and customers. “It’s not about chasing every opportunity, but about making sure our moves are sustainable,” Jeff said.
That discipline has produced major milestones. Their Houston warehouse opened with TD’s financing support; and a $25 million redevelopment of a newly acquired, existing site in Wilmington, Delaware, is next. International freight forwarding and joint ventures abroad are also on the horizon. Acquisitions are under review.
“There are times when building makes sense, and times when buying makes sense,” Jeff said. “The key is to weigh each option carefully — and that’s where having a bank like TD that knows us extremely well is so valuable. That includes having Bob on our team. He knows our strategic plans and the financials we need to fuel them.”
Beyond knowing the balance sheet: understanding operations, too
Today, TD is the company’s primary banking relationship, providing working capital, lines of credit, treasury management, and fraud prevention services like TD Positive Pay.
For Jeff, the real difference has been the relationship with Bob. “We’ve had other banking relationships where you feel talked down to. But with him, it’s always been a partnership,” Jeff said. “He thoroughly understands our business, listens to what we’re trying to achieve, and helps us figure out the best way forward, even if that doesn’t mean more revenue for TD.”
Jeff added that Bob also brings TD’s many resources to the table when needed. For potential acquisitions, he brought in TD Securities to provide market insight. The bank’s treasury and fraud prevention experts are involved as needed.
“Bob identifies our needs and ensures TD’s experts are part of our discussions,” he said. “We never feel like we’re being passed off. He’s always right there with us, whether we’re working with TD’s Commercial Real Estate, Equipment Finance or Treasury Management teams.”
A banking relationship proven during difficult years
Hermann’s growth has not been without setbacks. A decade ago, financial strain forced Hermann Services to close one division. “It wasn’t our proudest chapter,” Jeff said. “But you learn the most when times are tough, and TD supported us throughout that downturn, staying focused on our long-term track record. That’s when we really saw the strength of our relationship with them.”
The pandemic posed another test. Logistics demand surged, and Hermann Services grew its business, with TD supplying needed financial support and advice as needed. “Knowing TD was standing beside us gave me tremendous peace of mind,” Jeff recalled.
The road ahead stretches over the horizon
As Hermann Services approaches its 100th year, expansion remains the focus — from new warehouses to acquisitions and international reach. Jeff expects TD to remain key to realizing the company’s ambitions.
“When we talk about our plans, Bob and his team don’t just look at the numbers,” he said. “They understand our goals and advise on what makes sense for the business overall and then bring in the right people to make it happen.”
For Jeff, that’s the essence of a meaningful relationship: A bank that appreciates both the history of a multigenerational enterprise and its future growth goals. “We’re a family company that’s been around for nearly a century, but we’re not standing still,” he said. “Having a banking partner like TD that understands that and is ready to help us achieve our goals makes all the difference.”
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