The company was based on the idea of providing a service to both growers and receivers; a service built on integrity, reliability and good old-fashioned hard work. Today, this legacy is stronger than ever.

As the St. Louis operation prospered, Gay moved to Springfield, Illinois, in 1964, and opened the first branch office in this newly growing market area. In 1968, Phil Gumpert, the company’s current President/CEO, opened another new office in Indianapolis and became a partner in that operation.

In the late 1960’s, offices were added in Monett, Missouri, and Oklahoma City. Further development continued in the 1970’s, with offices in Houston, Wichita, and Chicago. The 1980’s saw the addition of new offices from coast-to-coast, in Atlanta, Dallas, Salinas, California, Philadelphia, Boston, Nashville, and Pittsburgh.

In 1982, our Carlsbad Produce, Inc. subsidiary was formed, acting as a grower’s agent. Until this time, the Tom Lange Company had operated as a “receiving point broker/distributor;” with this addition, the company established itself as a grower’s agent with exclusive rights to marketing grower’s crops. This office was expanded in 1991, with a new location in San Rafael, California and Nogales, Arizona.

In 1992, the Lange Trading Co., Inc. was formed to focus on trade in the southwestern United States, and Mexico. In 1994, the Company’s first international office was launched in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Ontario Food Terminal Market.

1994 also brought about the opening of Lange Trading Watsonville, California now operating as Beach Street Sales. This entity is the exclusive sales agent for Beach Street Farms, a California berry shipper.

By 2002, the company had formed two new entities; Global Fresh Import & Export, Inc. and Lange Logistics. After recognizing the need to supply produce from around the globe, Global Fresh Import & Export, Inc. was put in place. Lange Logistics began as the demand for transportation continued in all sectors.

As the company celebrates 45 years in business in 2005, the vision that Tom Lange, Farrell Gay and Paul Beisser conceived remains in place as we continue to adapt to our ever-changing marketplace.

Tom Lange Company, Inc. is proud of our reputation in the industry and our growth over the past 45 years; a tribute to the outstanding individuals who have contributed to our success. Every day we strive to provide the highest quality goods and services to our loyal customers, some of whom have given us the opportunity to be a part of their business since our founding in 1960. It is our aspiration to ensure that our future business relationships are built on our founders’ business philosophy of integrity, reliability and trust. As our long term motto says: “Business is good – join us.”