Celebrating
125 Years
125 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
GATX proudly commemorated 125 years of unparalleled excellence. As we celebrated this significant milestone in 2023, we reflected on our century-long commitment to providing exceptional service to our valued customers across the globe.
Founded in 1898 with a modest fleet of 48 railcars, GATX has grown to become one of the premier lessors of railcars globally. Throughout our history, we have made strategic shifts, expanded globally, acquired and divested from many different businesses, but we have remained steadfast in our dedication to delivering top-notch solutions and services that meet the unique needs of our customers. At GATX, our unwavering commitment to safety, integrity, and service has been at the core of our operations since our inception. We recognize that these values are critical to the success of our business and the trust that our customers place in us.
As we celebrated this achievement, we were proud of our legacy of excellence, innovation, and ingenuity. We remain committed to driving forward with the same passion and determination that propelled us to the forefront of the industry for over a century, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest standards of quality and service for many years to come.
GATX LOGOS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
SERVICE
For 125 years, our customers have relied on us to deliver the highest level of service and support. Our commitment to “Empowering Our Customers to Propel the World Forward” is ingrained in our corporate DNA. This guiding principle of service is not only demonstrated by our efforts for our customers, but also by our commitment to championing the well-being of our people and the communities in which they live and work.
GATX ADS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
With the purchase of 48 used railcars, Max Epstein establishes the Atlantic Seaboard Dispatch in Chicago, one of the first companies to lease railcars to shippers on a long-term basis. The company would go on to change its name to German-American Car Company and then General American Transportation Corporation before becoming GATX in 1975.
“This company started out with quite a large capital in 1898, only it did not consist of money. It just consisted of ideas, of faith, and of some nerve.” –Max Epstein
GATX begins manufacturing its own railcars. We would go on to develop new types of cars, including an insulated tank car in order to create a temperature-controlled car for a California wine company, before exiting railcar manufacturing in 1984.
GATX begins listing on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2020, we became one of the few companies to celebrate 100 years on the NYSE.
After a massive hurricane hits Miami, a joint venture of GATX delivers 50,000 gallons of donated pasteurized milk in its rail cars within three days, establishing our commitment to philanthropy and community involvement that continues today.
GATX begins rail investment in Canada. Today, GATX Rail Canada has a presence in four Canadian provinces with two Sales and Account Solutions offices, three Service Centers, and two Customer Site Field Service units.
GATX plays a key role in the Allied effort during World War II, both in transporting goods and in manufacturing tanks and other vital equipment.
GATX introduces a new training railcar called TankTrainer, a 33,500-gallon tank car outfitted with a variety of fittings, coatings and configurations. Since then, TankTrainer has provided a one-of-a-kind learning experience to thousands of customers, rail and yard workers, first responders, employees, and others.
GATX enters the European railcar leasing market with an investment in KVG, a leading European railcar lessor.
GATX and Rolls-Royce plc form our aircraft spare engine leasing joint venture, Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance.
Based on employee recommendations, GATX selects Make-A-Wish Illinois as the sole beneficiary of our annual employee giving campaign and fundraiser in Chicago. Since then, we have donated more than $5 million to the organization through corporate and employee gifts and fundraising efforts.
GATX becomes the first North American railcar lessor to receive the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care Partner of the Year Award, which recognizes the superb performance and safety record of companies involved in the distribution, transportation, storage, use, treatment, disposal and/or sales and marketing of chemicals. We will win the award again in 2017.
GATX India Private Limited begins operations as the first private company registered to lease railcars under the Indian Railways Wagon Leasing Scheme.
GATX significantly grows its boxcar fleet with the acquisition of 18,500 boxcars. The acquisition establishes GATX as the leader in the boxcar leasing market.
GATX launches MyGATXRail.com. This online portal provides customers in North America with a seamless way to manage their railcar fleets in real-time.
GATX acquires Trifleet Leasing, the fourth largest tank container lessor globally and a complementary business to railcar leasing.
GATX begins investing directly in aircraft spare engines through a new entity, GATX Engine Leasing.