Palmer joins H.Essers in trans-Atlantic chemical logistics combination
Palmer, a leading provider of chemical warehousing and value-added logistics services in the United States, today announced that it is joining H.Essers, a Belgian family-owned logistics company with deep specialization in chemical and pharmaceutical logistics across Europe. The combination establishes H.Essers’ first operational footprint in the United States, with the stated ambition of growing US revenue from approximately $70 million today to $300 million within five years. Palmer’s 350 employees, 14 facilities, and full management team remain in place. Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.
Founded in 1965, Palmer operates 3.3 million square feet of warehousing capacity, primarily in the Gulf area, serving customers in the heart of the US chemical cluster. Palmer’s activities, specialized chemical warehousing, value-added services, and continuous process optimization for chemical manufacturers, closely mirror what H.Essers does for chemical customers in Europe today.
Continuity for customers, employees, and locations
All 350 Palmer employees are joining H.Essers. The full Palmer management team remains in place, with Brett Mears continuing to lead day-to-day operations. Strategic direction for the US business will be set by H.Essers as the new owner, drawing on the Palmer team’s operational and customer expertise.
“We chose H.Essers because they share our values and respect what Palmer has built over the past sixty years,” said Brett Mears, CEO of Palmer. “H.Essers is a family-owned company with a long track record, deep expertise in chemical logistics, and a long-term mindset. For our customers and our people, this is the right choice. Same team, same locations, same service, backed by a stronger trans-Atlantic platform.”
For Palmer customers, the day-to-day relationship remains unchanged. Existing account teams, contacts, and service standards are preserved. Over time, Palmer customers gain access to H.Essers’ broader European network and specialized chemical logistics expertise.
A trans-Atlantic platform for chemical logistics
The combination reflects a shift in how the chemical sector organizes its supply chains. A significant share of European chemical customers are already operating in the United States, and at the same time, H.Essers serves a substantial number of American chemical companies in Europe. The combined platform allows the group to support these customers end-to-end, with consistent quality, expertise, and compliance standards on both sides of the Atlantic.
“H.Essers has been in business for nearly a century,” said Gert Bervoets, CEO of H.Essers. “We don’t make decisions based on today’s headlines, but based on where our customers will be in 2035. A significant part of the chemical sector is shifting its center of gravity to the United States. We already serve many American customers in Europe. With Palmer, we ensure we’re there for them in the US as well, with the specialization, scale, and operational expertise they expect from us.”
Growth ambition in the United States
The Gulf area is a deliberate starting point. Texas and Louisiana host the heart of the US chemical manufacturing cluster, and Palmer’s footprint there aligns directly with where chemical customers, both American and European, need specialized logistics partners. From this base, H.Essers plans to systematically expand its US presence over the coming years, first by strengthening Palmer’s existing operations, then through expansion toward the East and West coasts.
“Within five years, we aim to grow our US revenue from $70 million to $300 million,” said Bervoets. “That is an ambitious but realistic target, grounded in the demand we already see from our European and American chemical customers. The United States is becoming increasingly central to the chemical sector, and we intend to play a leading role there.”
Growth will be driven by both organic expansion with existing customers and further strategic steps in the US market. Specific plans for East and West coast expansion will be announced at a later stage.
Strategic and cultural fit
For H.Essers, cultural fit with an acquisition candidate is always a decisive factor, and rarely has it been as evident as with Palmer. Both companies are family-rooted, with comparable histories of controlled growth and a shared conviction that durable customer relationships matter more than short-term opportunities.
Palmer will gradually be integrated under the H.Essers brand. The transition will be handled in phases, with respect for what Palmer has built over sixty years. Locations, teams, and service continuity remain guaranteed throughout.