Norwalk, CT, Feb. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., a global ground transportation company based in Norwalk, CT, has won LCT Magazine’s 2012 Operator of the Year Award, the most prestigious in the industry. The award was presented to Teddy’s during a gala dinner at the industry’s trade association convention in Las Vegas last week.
The Operator of the Year Awards honor chauffeured transportation operators in the $9 billion U.S. industry who have excelled in management, customer service, marketing, fleet quality, safety, and community and industry contributions. Peer recognition of unique abilities and accomplishments also is an important factor. A panel of professional judges score and select winners. Teddy’s won in the 31-50 vehicles category.
Teddy’s also kicked off its 80th anniversary year this month by moving from a family-owned building on Rowan Street it had occupied since 1987 into new, 4,500 square foot headquarters at 25 Van Zant Street in Norwalk. The new location, all on the ground floor, triples the firm’s former office space. The office build-out, done by Broadview Woodworks, created additional conference and training space, as well as a quiet room for chauffeurs on break. As with Teddy’s former location, the new headquarters is convenient to I-95, the Route 7 connector and the Merritt Parkway.
2012 Operator of the Year
"LCT Magazine’s Operator of the Year is our industry’s most prestigious award. In the past, companies have been honored as finalists for many years before winning the award, so we are especially thrilled - we were first selected as a finalist in our inaugural entry last year," said Charles Wisniewski, President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Teddy’s team works tirelessly to provide the highest quality of chauffeured executive car service in Connecticut, and we have developed solid partnerships with many of the region’s premier corporations over the years," Mr. Wisniewski remarked. "In 2011, as companies in our market area once again put executives back on the road for those face-to-face meetings that benefit their bottom line, we continued to grow and forge new relationships. The 2010 equity purchase of Hartford-based King Limousine also enabled us to extend a valuable mid-state presence to corporations we already serve in Fairfield County," he added.
A leader in the use of cutting-edge technology that benefits its customers, Teddy’s served in 2011 as a beta tester of a new backend software platform from Global Ground Transportation that brings systems into PCI compliant certification and adds such functional enhancements as the ability for chauffeurs to communicate directly with a client’s mobile device. At Teddy’s request two decades ago, the company created a custom module to track Teddy’s innovative Platinum Rewards loyalty program; Teddy’s awarded more than $100,000 in reward premiums to clients in 2011.
"As well, Teddy’s led the industry last year in recognizing the value of Lincoln’s MKT Town Car as the next generation solution for chauffeured executive car service to JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airport, and it now accounts for 36% of our sedan fleet," Mr. Wisniewski said. The Lincoln MKT boasts enhanced safety features, ample head and legroom, reclining rear seats, and added amenities such as on-board WiFi, USB charging ports, a rear seat 110-volt AC outlet, and Bluetooth capability. Lincoln ceased production of the iconic Lincoln Town Car last year.
"Teddy’s is big enough to provide the deep bench of polished professionals, robust responsiveness, and sophisticated technology our clients demand, yet small enough to provide the personal, white-glove support that has built our business over the years. Plus we maintain an on-time record in excess of 99.7% and have an impeccable safety record," Mr. Wisniewski noted. "I’ve said many times that it’s not the awards that motivates us, but the pride in every ride that brings us the awards. We earn each customer’s trust one ride at a time, one mile at a time, and that’s what has built our business year-in and year-out," he added.
Mr. Wisniewski is a former president of the National Limousine Association, the founding Executive Director of the Limousine Operators of Connecticut, and an active participant and leader in the New England Limousine Operators Association. In addition, he has been a tireless advocate for industry safety standards. He and Teddy’s are also generous contributors of time and financial resources to area nonprofit organizations.
Teddy’s Headquarters Move to 25 Van Zant Street
"We are proud to announce that Teddy’s Transportation System, Fairfield County’s premier limo service, has chosen 25 Van Zant Street, East Norwalk, as its new home," said Winthrop Baum, the building’s owner and property manger. "Considering the many options available to them, we were fortunate the combination of amenities suited Teddy’s to a ‘T’!" he added. Ron Czebiniak was the broker for Teddy’s; WEB Realty Company handled 25 Van Zant Street for the landlord, Stafford Higgins Industries, Inc.
Turner Construction built 25 Van Zant Street in 1923. Ground was broken in March of that year, and The Hat Corporation of America took occupancy in December. It was the largest hat manufacturing facility in the U.S., in its heyday employing 3,000 workers in 3 shifts. The structure was solidly engineered to withstand an attack from land or sea, a common practice for coastline manufacturing plants built between the two world wars, as battleships had gained military importance during the First World War. Development of radar negated the need for the practice after World War Two.
The 5-story building, which sits on 5 acres of land between the Metro-North rail lines and Van Zant Street, was converted from industrial use to offices during the 1980’s. Today, its 265,000 square feet is 70% occupied and home to many diverse businesses and nonprofits, from the U.S. headquarters of Maclaren Baby Strollers and the local franchise of Two Men and a Truck to the Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (CACLD). It’s a short walk to the East Norwalk train station and South Norwalk’s outstanding dining along Water and Washington Streets.
Teddy’s 80th Anniversary
In 1932, Golden Gloves prizefighter Leo "Teddy" Tedesco established Teddy’s Taxi in Westport, CT. In its early years, the company grew to include not only taxi service, but also had a permit to operate five limousines and operated one of Fairfield County’s highest volume Avis Rent-a-car franchises.
Ted and Shelly Wisniewski bought the company in 1978. As many corporations moved to Fairfield County, the Wisniewskis focused on the flourishing executive transportation business, and the company grew rapidly. They sold the taxi business in 1985 and the rental car franchise in 1989. In 1987 Teddy’s moved into office space on Rowan Avenue in Norwalk. The three Wisniewski children, Charles, Linda and Ted Jr., formally joined the firm upon graduation, and Charles was named company President in 1990. Ted Sr. passed away in 1995, and Shelly retired in 2009, turning over ownership and management to the next generation. Today’s management team: President and CEO Charles Wisniewski, Vice President and Secretary Linda Bento, and Vice President Ted Wisniewski Jr., also includes General Manager John Martinez.
80th Anniversary Plans
A number of special events are planned for the company’s 80th anniversary year. Each quarter of 2012, Teddy’s will award a free chauffeured trip to two area nonprofits, for a total of eight trips: one for each decade. A form on the company’s website has been created for nonprofits to register to enter the drawing for the free trips.
Teddy’s will also award 80 free Platinum Reward miles later this year to every client who is registered for its loyalty program. Clients "cash in" their reward miles for free trips, VISA gift cards, gift certificates for area restaurants and spas, and premier merchandise such as a Kindles and an iPad portfolio with Bluetooth keyboard.
About Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc.
Founded in 1932, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc. is one of the top 50 ground transportation companies in the U.S. today. Teddy’s has redefined "professional transportation solutions" by forging a strategic network of premium global partnerships and utilizing innovative technology that provides corporate purchasers, event planners and travelers with access to immediate, real-time information. Teddy’s commitment to excellence ensures reliability, efficiency and comfort, which translates into the most productive mode of transportation available, as well as value for its clients. Sales growth earned Teddy’s a place on Inc. magazine’s inaugural list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2007, and on each succeeding annual list (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011). In 2012 Teddy’s won LCT Magazine’s national Operator of The Year Award (31-50 vehicles), the industry’s most prestigious recognition; Teddy’s had been selected as one of 3 Finalists for the award in 2011. In 2007 Teddy’s ranked as a Finalist in Limo Digest’s Operator of the Year competition and was honored as one of the top 3 large fleet operators nationwide; Teddy’s was also recognized as a Finalist in the 2007 Connecticut Family Business of the Year competition. For more information call 1-800-888-3339 or visit www.teddyslimo.com .