LIMA — Wannemacher Total Logistics’ 25th anniversary celebration Thursday represented not just a milestone for the company but also a passing of the torch.
In front of his friends, family and employees, Greg Wannemacher announced that his son, Andy Wannemacher, is taking over as president of the company.
Andy Wannemacher will direct day-to-day operations of the company, which provides distribution, freight brokerage services, contract packaging, liquid filling, spray drying and transportation. His father will stay on as the company’s chairman.
“I just felt it was time to step back and let him step up,” Greg Wannemacher said. “He has the energy to do different things, and I can still serve in some capacity by doing some special projects and that sort of thing.”
In his 25 years as president, Wannemacher transformed the business from a local trucking operation to a diversified company that provides full-service logistical strategies. Today, the company owns more than 1 million square feet of warehousing space in Lima and Van Wert and employs 150 people.
Andy Wannemacher acknowledged he has big shoes to fill.
“It’s definitely a big task, but it’s a nice compliment to be rewarded for all the years of hard work I put into everything,” he said.
The company’s new president said he’s been coming around Total Logistics since he was 5 years old. In his teen years, he would sweep floors and clean bathrooms as a part-time job. When he graduated college, he became a company salesman, then transitioned to sales director. For the last four years, he has served as the company’s vice president.
“Over those years, I think he saw the challenges I had, so he knows how he’s got to do things,” Greg Wannemacher said. “He knows that sometimes you’ve got to roll up your shirt sleeves and really dig in.”
Like his father, Andy Wannemacher plans to expand the business even further.
“I want to keep the business growing and continue to diversify our business,” he said. “We’re working on some things to grow the business over the next year as far as expansion opportunities.”
Wannemacher’s transition from vice president to president isn’t the only role change within the company. Current sales director Scott Cockerell will be promoted to vice president of sales and logistics. He joins the company’s executive team, which consists of Randy Fetter, vice president of contract packaging and facilities, and Bob Stechschulte, vice president of compliance and information systems.
Cockerell said he has confidence in Wannemacher’s ability to move the company forward.
“I think the future is bright,” Cockerell said. “We’re not done growing.”
