CHAT of Michigan, Inc. began under the license and name of KMS, a sole proprietorship, founded by Greg Katcher. Conducted mainly after hours and on the weekend, Greg learned that cargo is always moving day and night. The freight forwarders in Detroit needed a new source for crating and packaging services and Greg was happy to provide it. KMS would bring supplies to cargo warehouses throughout the Detroit area and package on location for each customer.  With no warehouse or office to work from, Greg cleared out a spare bedroom and added a telephone line and fax machine.  Within only six months, he had enough to rent a small office and warehouse. With hard work and steadfast dedication Greg has continued to grow his idea every year since its inception.

In the fall of 1988, General Motors took a chance with CHAT and a pilot program was developed for exports leaving the USA market. The first year the pilot program went very well and Greg Katcher decided to put all energies into CHAT of Michigan, Inc.  In 1989, an additional 1,000-sq. ft., totaling 1,500-sq. ft. was being subleased at Detroit Metro Airport .  CHAT continued to grow with GM and other suppliers for GM such as ABB Robotics, AC Delco, Toyota, and Controlled Power of Troy, to name a few. Seven years later CHAT was the third largest renter at Metro Airport Park Foreign Trade Zone.  CHAT expanded from Michigan to California , Moscow and Hong Kong in owned and operated facilities. The staff grew as the customers did and we eventually had no more space. We then took the risk and bought eight acres of vacant land in hopes of building our own facility. Located across the street from the new Metro Midfield Terminal at Detroit International Airport, CHAT of Michigan, Inc. now has more acreage at the airport paid in full than all of our Michigan competitors with the ability to expand our current facility to over a million square feet if and when needed.

 We are proud to say that our steady growth has been only by referral business for the last decade, using no sales force to promote business, but letting our services and our 2,000 plus customers speak for themselves. We have held the P.O.A. for; General Motors since the pilot program turned into a major export business, the account for all Hazardous Material exports in DTW, as well as the many customers that took that chance with CHAT of Michigan, Inc. namely ABB Robotics which has had no claims for over a decade.  We have crated and packaged over four billion dollars of customer assembly lines and robotics equipment. CHAT of Michigan, Inc, now holds the P.O.A. for all the big three and most of their main suppliers for Hazardous Material. We have crated assets such as auto parts, prototype parts, personal effects for the international and domestic market.  We are also a UN and USA approved vendor and for over eleven years.  Due to our unique status as a certified International packaging house and IATA/ NVOCC we are able to provide services for and maintain relationships with all sectors of the Freight Forwarding industry.  

            Greg’s start in this industry was spurred on by his global missionary services. CHAT continues to donate crating and packaging services for missionary, relief organizations and non-profit groups while exporting their much needed supplies worldwide.  Building clientele with commercial shippers by providing quality service at large discounts has allowed CHAT to continually grow our business without any sales staff.  Operating on referral business only and still doing so 20 years later. 

            We have gone above the call of duty to show our customers that we are here for the long haul and will keep improving. We are also helping Rob Most and the Ford Family with “The World Cup”, by bringing the World Cup Sail Team here with our crating, rigging and trucking services, we were able to help bring the World Cup to Dearborn . Just imagine what we can bring to your neighborhood.