COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 484122

General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Less Than Truckload

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

18companies1916–1993founding years18still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedOak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc.FoundedOak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc.
1916
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedNippon Express Company, Ltd.FoundedNippon Express Company, Ltd.
1937
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedOvernite CorporationFoundedOvernite Corporation
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc.FoundedOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
1950
FoundedMotor Cargo Industries, Inc.FoundedMotor Cargo Industries, Inc.
1954
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedUnion Pacific CorporationFoundedUnion Pacific Corporation
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedTransport Corporation of America, Inc.FoundedTransport Corporation of America, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedCeladon Group Inc.FoundedCeladon Group Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedYellow CorporationFoundedYellow Corporation
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1916
With 27 dedicated terminals in five western states, more than 1,000 employees, and several strategic partnerships,…
Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1916
With 27 dedicated terminals in five western states, more than 1,000 employees, and several strategic partnerships,…
Nippon Express Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1937 · Japan
Nippon Express Company, Ltd., is one of Japan's largest transportation companies, with nearly 1,170 service centers in…
Nippon Express Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1937 · Japan
Nippon Express Company, Ltd., is one of Japan's largest transportation companies, with nearly 1,170 service centers in…
Overnite Corporation →
Active · founded 1947
Overnite Corporation is a leading interstate trucking company serving all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and…
Overnite Corporation →
Active · founded 1947
Overnite Corporation is a leading interstate trucking company serving all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and…
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Motor Cargo Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1954
1960s:First interstate shipping is started&mdashø Wells, Nevada.
Motor Cargo Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1954
1960s:First interstate shipping is started&mdashø Wells, Nevada.
Union Pacific Corporation →
Active · founded 1969
Union Pacific Corporation (UP) is a holding company whose principal operating subsidiary is Union Pacific Railroad…
Union Pacific Corporation →
Active · founded 1969
Union Pacific Corporation (UP) is a holding company whose principal operating subsidiary is Union Pacific Railroad…
Transport Corporation of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Transport America, legally named Transport Corporation of America, Inc., is a trucking firm headquartered in Eagan,…
Transport Corporation of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Transport America, legally named Transport Corporation of America, Inc., is a trucking firm headquartered in Eagan,…
Celadon Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Celadon Group Inc.
Celadon Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Celadon Group Inc.
Yellow Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
Yellow Corporation is a transportation holding company with subsidiaries that specialize in regional, national, and…
Yellow Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
Yellow Corporation is a transportation holding company with subsidiaries that specialize in regional, national, and…
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