History

No one can deny it. The American business landscape has dramatically changed these last hundred years. Especially within our technological environment, the mushrooming of startups followed by their sudden folding has become the norm rather than the exception.

But not so with E.C. Colley. Within this corporation are history, family and tradition that can be traced to its early beginnings in 1881. During Post-Reconstruction times, one man in particular was going about the business of laying the groundwork for a small port operation. Little could R.H. Keen imagine how his dealings with the Port of New Orleans would translate into three overlapping enterprises and all with unlimited possibilities.

However, less than a century later in 1971, a great nephew, Eugene Colley, Jr., would take control of the operation and with his son, Eugene Colley III, continue in the sugar and rubber commodities business. Within ten years, Gene Colley, 32, would assume the presidency of the company his great-great uncle established a century before. At this point in time R.H. Keen would also enter a period of unprecedented growth, beginning with the founding of R.H. Keen and Co., E.C. Colley Warehouse Corp., Dock Lift Service, Inc., and Mardi Gras Logistics.

Gene Colley's growing business was his pride and joy up until he sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2018. His wife, Nadine Colley, took over the position as president at that time, and has been ensuring that their business continues to grow and prosper ever since. The company has grown tremendously in the last decade, now including E. C. Colley Warehouse, Dock Lift Service, R. H. Keen & Co., Inc., and Mardi Gras Logistics.

The E. C. Colley enterprise has flourished so significantly that there are now four different warehouse locations throughout the New Orleans area. "The Key to Growth," says Mrs. Colley, "is maintaining a service - oriented attitude." That mentality has inspired long-term customer loyalty. Colley plans to carry on the reputation of the company and continue to offer outstanding service to the business's customers, stating "Our philosophy has always been that service is the most important part of our business."