From staff reports
Even before the trucking company begins construction on a new facility in Gretna, it’s already looking to expand.
On Saturday, company leaders and Pittsylvania County officials celebrated the official groundbreaking for Tresman Trucking’s 22,500-square-foot building, which is expected to bring in a $4.5 million investment.
And because of the need for warehouse space and other processing services, the company is in talks to buy land nearby for another 25,000 square feet.
Tradesman Trucking was founded in 2012 as a shuttle transit company that helped Yankee Candle move product and goods between its facilities in Blairs and Dunn, according to a news release. Since then, the company has grown to include freight services for major snack food retailers, print media and furniture retailers.
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“I am very pleased that Trasman Trucking has invested in Great as their company headquarters,” Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Vic Ingram said at Saturday’s ceremony. “The company’s leadership is legitimately excited to join the community, improve the area and make the city of Gretna and the entire county a better place.”
The two-phase project – with the purchase of additional land – represents a total investment of 6.5 million dollars. The plan is to start ground work in September and the building should begin construction in early spring. The facility is expected to be completed by August 2023.
“Our main goal in moving here to Gretna is to come in as a member, to serve as a neighbor and to build and grow this community,” said James Garner, managing partner of Tresman Trucking. Saturday. “When you choose a business location, you are also choosing a community, and we believe that the community we are in should support and be supported by us.”
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Vic Ingram made comments Saturday about establishing a merchant truck in Gretna.
Pittsylvania County, contributed.
Garner believes the people of Gretna will be “very good neighbors.”
Merchant has also increased domestic cargo collection in the recycling markets for cardboard and plastics. As that demand grew, the employee-owned company merged into Tradesman XDR, he said, releasing wood for biomass processing, grinding concrete and asphalt as a substitute for bales, and collecting waste tires as an alternative to bales in civil and sanitation applications.
Until the new Gretna facility, it will serve Tradesman Trucking’s needs as a traditional terminal and cross-docking facility as well as a recycling yard for Tradesman XDR. The office space will be the new headquarters for both businesses.
Merchant Trucks is investing $4.5 million.
Creating 30 new jobs with the project in Gretna.
Pittsylvania County, contributed.
While the company is taking advantage of the state’s enterprise zone program, it is not receiving local interest incentives, according to the county.
“I am thrilled that an innovative and expanding company like Trademan Trucking has chosen to establish operations right here in Pittsylvania County,” said Calland-Gretna Supervisor Darrell Dalton. “It’s always exciting when businesses decide Pittsylvania County is the place to invest, put down roots and create jobs.”
Gretna Mayor Keith Motley said he is pleased to have Tradesman as the first tenant of the industrial park.
“We look forward to having them join our business community and hope this is the start of continued development,” Metley said.
