GMK Logistics proudly celebrates sixty years of service to the Australian flooring industry this month. Our story started on 31 October 1962 when John Kane registered G.M. Kane & Sons Pty Ltd, naming it after his parents George and Muriel. He started with just one truck, providing general freight services between Sydney and Camden, but was soon specialising in flooring products. John firmly believed that the way to differentiate yourself was to provide exceptional customer service. This commitment remains a key part of the GMK philosophy to this day.
In 2005, John appointed his daughter Sharon as Managing Director. Sharon had worked in the family business since leaving school and understood the operation well. On 25 March 2008, she rebranded the business as GMK Logistics and opened depots in all major capital cities, offering 3PL services and a national transport network to the flooring industry.
In the background, but playing a key role in running the operation, was David Knagge, who had joined the business in 2004. His extensive knowledge of flooring and transport continues to influence the operation and culture of GMK. As David frequently tells the new generation of GMK managers: “In transport, there are many factors outside our control. However, if we keep our customers informed and give them a solution, they almost always understand. It’s not about what you get wrong but how you recover.”
In 2015, Perth based and ASX listed company CTI Logistics Limited was looking to expand to the Eastern States. They soon identified GMK Logistics as a strong brand and a great starting point for their national ambitions. Acquiring GMK in June 2015, CTI has continued to support its development as a specialised logistics business dedicated to the flooring industry.
CTI has also continued to invest in the GMK business, a prime example being the purchase of a custom-made “state of the art” carpet-cutting table, which was commissioned in Melbourne in April 2019. Built by Perpetual Machine Company in the USA, the Carpet Boss III represents a very substantial investment by GMK in its customers and the Australian flooring industry.
Also in 2019, GMK implemented the Jaix Logistics Software suite, an ERP product developed specifically for the Australian logistics sector. GMK had been using Jaix in Melbourne and after examining other options, implemented the Jaix Transport, Warehouse and Accounts modules. The system provides our customers with full visibility of their product from receipt, processing of orders and delivery to the customer. End-to-end scanning and sign-on-glass enables real-time track and trace and immediate POD visibility.
In 2022, in conjunction with our parent company, we achieved International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification for Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety Management Systems, another significant accomplishment.
These developments put GMK at the leading edge of the Australian flooring logistics market. Our warehouse customers now have a distinct advantage over their competition, including:
- speed to market, with immediate access to GMK’s extensive national transport network
- world class equipment and IT solutions, with full product visibility
- the ability to focus on their core business without the distraction of a warehouse operation
- no warehouse WHS or HR compliance issues; and
- reduced capital investment and improved cashflow.
We now have over 85,000 square metres of warehousing space, a fleet of over 100 specialised vehicles and 221 experienced staff and sub-contractors. Whilst the GMK story features many strong and focused individuals over its sixty-year history, it is those 221 committed Australians, working together as a team, who set out every day to deliver the best possible service to every GMK customer.
