|
Over a Century of
Tradition and Innovation
Click here
to view our photo archives
 1907
- M. E. Dey & Company is founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by
Mae
Elizabeth Dey. Awarded Custom Broker License Number 5, Miss Dey and
her company operate exclusively as a Customs Broker.
In
the early 1900's, import shipments into the United States generally
arrive via
steamship into major east or west coast ports. The cargo
is then moved by rail to various inland destinations, including
Milwaukee. During these early years, it is essential for brokers
located far from any major seaports to develop strong working
relationships with brokers who are situated on the coasts. Mae
Elizabeth builds these bonds, learns the complexities of the
industry, and works long hours to improve and expand her business.
1920
– Women get the vote. Dey is a suffragette.
1922
– Mae Elizabeth Dey’s nephew,
Rolland Gardenier joins the
company while
attending
Marquette University.
1927
– Dey expands and incorporates the firm, in part through
contacts in such Old Milwaukee companies as Harnischfeger and Falk.
Her hard work pays off, and by 1927, the company has a staff of four
including one full-time salesman.
1929
- Mae Dey passes away in her early 50's. Although the company is starting to
make its mark in the industry, losing its founder and visionary is a
traumatic occurrence. This loss is compounded by the stock market
crash and the beginning of the Great Depression. Gardenier drops out
of Marquette to run the company.
M.E. Dey
faces challenging times as America struggles with a crippled
economy. The company needs a leader with patience, and an astute
business sense in order to ensure that it survives the difficulties
ahead. Hired in 1922, Mae Elizabeth's nephew
Rolland Gardenier,
provides just that leadership.
1930’s
- Little did Gardenier realize, as he guides the company through the
turbulent 30's, that his skills will be tested again as America
enters World War II. The war eliminates most imports and exports,
and with it, most Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders. M.E. Dey,
like the majority of other similar businesses, is forced to lay off
its employees. Rolland Gardenier is charged with managing the
company single-handedly.
1945
- World War II ends. Operations expand to include Export Forwarding, and a license is
obtained to operate as a Federal Maritime Commission Forwarder.
1946
- With the war having recently ended and post-war expansion
beginning, world trade resumes. Ships from Europe and Asia use Lake
Michigan and Milwaukee's harbor regularly. Airfreight, while still
in its infancy, is growing steadily and M.E. Dey posts Help Wanted
signs in its windows.
Rolland E.
Gardenier has successfully led the company through the country's
economic depression, a world war, dramatic changes in modes of
transportation and enormous technical advances.
1951
– Rolland’s oldest son,
Richard Gardenier, 20, joins the company.
It begins to represent a German and Italian steamship company.
1962
– Import business becomes so big that the firm abandons the
steamship companies to focus on customs work.
1971
– As airfreight grows and becomes an important means of trade, M.E.
Dey foresees the need for an additional office dedicated exclusively
to the clearance of airfreight cargo and expands. From its modest
beginnings in downtown Milwaukee, a second office is opened at
Mitchell International Airport.
1973
– The company
employs 22.
1975
– M. E. Dey opens a second office at Mitchell Field.
1977
–
Richard
becomes president. His oldest son
Robert, an accountant,
joins the firm. M.E. Dey installs their first computer system, becoming the first
Milwaukee Customs Broker to automate office operations and a
full-service Freight Forwarding Department is established.
1978
– The company enters the export arena.
1980's
- With on-line technology becoming a reality, the entire import
entry process is automated and M.E. Dey becomes the first Milwaukee
Customs Broker to interface directly with U.S. Customs through the
Automated Broker Interface system (ABI).
1982
- Rolland Gardenier dies, just days short of sixty years of service
to M.E. Dey & Co. Rolland's son, Richard, continues with his
father's innovative business sense by keeping the company a step
ahead of an ever-changing marketplace. As the dynamics of world
trade evolves, so does M.E. Dey.
1983
– Sandi Siegel is hired as an entry writer.
1984
- The company expands again with the opening of an office at
Chicago's
O'Hare International Airport.
1985
- M.E. Dey is the first broker in Milwaukee, and one of only six
brokers in Chicago, to interface their automated system with The
United States Customs Service under the Customs ABI (Automated
Broker Interface) program.
1990’s
– Richard Gardenier retires from the company with over 40 years of
service. The company's dedication to service and excellence
continues under Richard's son, Robert, the third generation
Gardenier to lead the firm. As the new president in a
rapidly expanding technological age, Robert secures a competitive
edge through modern innovations, employee flexibility, and
automation. A state of the art system of in-house electronic
information is put in place to better assist customers needing
immediate answers to their questions and concerns. Employee flex
time and work-at-home programs are established to maximize employee
efficiency and allow easier client/broker interaction. M.E. Dey also
leads the way as part of the first group of freight forwarders in
the nation to connect live on-line with the Automated Export System
(AES). Robert has accurately anticipated his customer's need for
up-to-the-minute information, and when the information age explodes,
M.E. Dey has already established their
Internet Tracking Program.
1991
– M. E. Dey combines their two Milwaukee offices and moves into
their present location at 5007 S. Howell Ave., across from
Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport while maintaining its
Chicago office.
1992
– Robert marries
Sandi Siegel, by then a customs broker.
1996
-
Sandi Siegel becomes executive vice president.
The Milwaukee based Export Department becomes one of only nine
forwarders nationwide to interface our Export process with AES
(Automated Export System). With the development of a Web site, the
company's customer service again advances by providing concise and
easy to read summaries on subjects of vital interest to the
international trade community. The addition of in-house Compliance
Consulting Services has further aided importers and exporters in
coping with the burdens of regulatory demands.
Today – M.E. Dey &
Co., Inc., which began with a single employee, now operates two
offices and employs more than three dozen professional people to
assist clients with nearly all aspects of their Import and Export
programs. Having survived a worldwide depression, numerous
recessions, two major and several minor wars, protectionism and the
ravages of inflation, the company's commitment to customer service
has remained constant from the time of steam and sail, to the era of
containers, stack trains and around the world service - providing
the best service to each and every customer.
M.E. Dey & Co., Inc. seeks to have site information
which will assist you with international shipping questions. While
not intended to be a comprehensive guide, this information offers a
review of numerous components of the importing and exporting
processes. All information provided herein is subject to change. |
