Growing fast
In the midst of the 1970s, Rogers & Brown embarked on an extraordinary journey of expansion, unveiling two additional offices in the Greenville, SC area in 1970, followed by another in Savannah, GA, in 1977. The exponential growth experienced in the 1980s was nothing short of remarkable, leaving an indelible mark on the company's history. Don vividly remembers how the company "grew like wildfire." Five additional branch offices were established in prominent locations, including Atlanta, GA, Columbia, SC, Wilmington, Charlotte, NC, and Norfolk, VA, marking a significant expansion for the company. To manage this rapid growth, Don enlisted the help of his youngest brother, Jerry, who spearheaded the establishment of a warehousing division. This division soon became an integral part of the business, now known as the esteemed Brown Distribution Center.
Weathering the Storm
Hurricane Hugo swept through Charleston in 1989 and made massive impacts, flooding much of downtown Charleston—including the Rogers & Brown office. Don remembers water, “up to the light switches,” and moved the company into a set of temporary mobile trailers nearby. Don has a vivid memory of the entire Rogers & Brown team arriving on Monday after the storm, ready to work without hesitation. They tirelessly worked around the clock to ensure the smooth flow of cargo and the restoration of the office. Remarkably, operations were back to normal within just one week after the storm.
Trucking Along
As a new decade dawned, followed by a new century, Rogers & Brown saw lots of change – one area that did not change was the company's mission and core focus.
Continued growth into Houston and Chicago markets, and then out west, Rogers & Brown opened offices in Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Significant technological advances allowed Rogers & Brown to continuously improve proprietary operational systems through the nineties and first two decades of the 21st century. Rogers & Brown continued to enhance and expand service offerings, opening a domestic entity in 1998, complimenting NVOCC and airfreight transportation services.
The commitment and dedication of the Brown family kept the organization on track during the tough markets that followed 9-11 and the Great Recession, allowing the company to become stronger as it had after Hurricane Hugo. Over time, technological advances rendered the need for physical offices unnecessary. Rogers & Brown strategically closed its offices outside of the Southeast to strengthen the brand in the region we call home.
Later, the same resolve seen in the past allowed the company to get through the coronavirus pandemic. Through this period, Rogers & Brown always maintained service levels, dedication, and commitment to our clients and to our business. The resulting outcome once again shows the strength of the Rogers & Brown organization supported by significant investment in the company, namely its people.
