60 years old and still going strong

Jul. 27—SANDUSKY — The pandemic did not shut down the entire world.

While most of us were locked at home afraid to go to the store, products still had to be moved from Point A to Point B.

That's where truckers came in.

Gene Hartman took over Ohio Eastern Express Inc. in 2018 and "I'm going to say 20 to 30 percent increase, plus we have diversified so much," Hartman said.

Hartman and the crew at OEX held an open house Friday to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary celebration.

"60 years strong, 1961-2021" was the theme of the celebration.

The company ships it all, from Norwalk Furniture to Dole products, from flatbeds to refrigerated trucks.

The business began as Sandusky Truck and Trailer began in 1961 for the sole purpose of delivering fresh meat to market for the parent company, The Waldock Packing Company.

Within a year, Ohio Eastern Express was born. For the next 20 years, the company continued to deliver fresh pork to the East Coast for the Selected Meat Company while becoming one of the first carriers capable of hauling bananas "still on the stalk" from the East Coast piers in meat trailers.

Not much has changed the company over the past 60 years — specializing in the transportation of time- and temperature-sensitive products between the Midwest and the East Coast.

In 2018, long-time employee and previous vice president, Gene Hartman, went through the channels to purchase the company. His goal was to maintain integrity and hold the 60 jobs for the families who depended on a paycheck from OEX.

In October 2018, Hartman with the support of his wife, Gina, finalized the purchase and became the owner of OEX. He quickly added CTR Leasing to purchase new equipment while allowing the ability to lease equipment to other businesses. This allows OEX to update equipment at a faster pace.

Said one employee, "Things are so much better since Gene took over. This is really a great place to work for."