Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) was founded by Harold Anderson during a heavily regulated time in the trucking industry. ATS was incorporated on January 3, 1955, after Coldspring Granite reached out to Harold for help managing their overflow of business. Operations began on March 1, 1955.
Harold proposed an early example of less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping for monument manufacturers in St. Cloud, effectively starting our granite consolidation service.
Business grew after ATS obtained machinery and equipment authority and signed four independent contractors, adding to a fleet that began with just two drivers.
ATS established our first out-of-state terminal in Lansing, Illinois.
ATS expanded its fleet beyond traditional flatbed trailers with the purchase of our first specialized trailer.
Gross revenues exceeded $1 million.
ATS installed a teletype system to communicate more efficiently with other terminals and agencies.
The new ATS “bullseye” logo was introduced, along with the addition of a second floor to the St. Cloud Office. ATS increased the number of tandem axle tractors in its first fleet.
ATS began serving the iron and steel industries.
ATS purchased Alaska-based K&W Transportation, expanding our offerings outside of the continental US.
Card punch machines and punch cards were standard for ATS information storage.
The old wooden warehouse in St. Cloud was torn down and replaced with a concrete and steel structure.
First Lieutenant Rollie Anderson returned home from the Air Force to join ATS and help run the company with his father, Harold.
ATS implemented a computer-assisted dispatch system.
ATS worked with The Manitowoc Company to develop a trailer capable of hauling their crane houses. This was part of the first stages of heavy haul services at ATS.
ATS began to transport pre-engineered metal buildings.
ATS had grown to 463 employees and independent contractors.
President Jimmy Carter signed the Motor Carrier Regulatory Reform and Modernization Act into law. Also known as deregulation, this act gave trucking companies more freedom over rates and other business decisions.
ATS, Inc., our dry vans division, was formed to serve ATS customers looking for enclosed trailer service. A new logo was also introduced to reflect ATS’ national reputation.
Gross revenues exceeded $100 million. ATS expanded into brokerage and provided customers more freight capacity by introducing Sureway Transportation.
ATS initiated service to and from Mexico, offering customers a trustworthy and reliable cross-border freight solution.
For the first time, three generations of Andersons are hard at work at ATS as Brent Anderson, son of Rollie, and Scott Anderson, son of Jim, join the company.
Intermodal Caribbean Express, Inc. (ICE) was formed, expanding service offerings into Puerto Rico. ICE later became ATS International.
ATS purchased Warren Transport out of Waterloo, Iowa.
ATS sold Alaskan division K&W Transport.
ATS officially established ATS Logistics Services, Inc.
ATS implemented Transportation Management System (TMS) operation software. ATS also broke into the LTL furniture transportation business with its purchase of SunBelt Furniture Xpress out of Hickory, North Carolina.
ATS founder Harold Anderson passed away at the age of 85. Rollie transitioned into the role of chief executive officer.
Jim Anderson, son of Harold, began his role as relationships consultant. ATS Wind Energy Services was formed to haul wind turbine towers and blades. To successfully haul the 15-foot-diameter towers, ATS collaborated on the creation of an altered Schnable trailer. This trailer kept the total load height under 16 feet to fit under bridges.
ATS celebrated 50 years of business by breaking ground on our new corporate headquarters just off I-94 in the southeast end of St. Cloud, Minnesota. ICE expanded and became ATS International Services, Inc.
ATS purchased our first 19-axle trailer along with Midwest Specialized out of Rochester, Minnesota.
Wi-Fi now provided at all terminal locations. ATS gross revenue exceeded $880 million.
Brent Anderson named vice president of Heavy Haul. Scott Anderson named vice president of Safety & Claims.
ATS Logistics expanded services into transportation management, offering full-service supply chain solutions.
ATS launched our current logo.
Scott Anderson was named executive vice president and treasurer, and Brent Anderson was named chief operating officer. ATS CEO Rollie Anderson assumed the role of chairman of the board and Jake Wood was named president. Paul Pfeiffer joined ATS as chief financial officer.
Q-Line out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan partnered with the ATS family of companies to expand our Canadian offerings.
ATS corporate office completed its first addition. The ATS Driver app launched.
Brent Anderson was named president and chief operating officer. Scott Anderson was named executive vice president and chief administration officer. The Anderson Assistance Foundation was founded.
ATS purchased our first 13-axle perimeter frame trailer.
Julius Chepey was named chief information officer and Mike Lakmann was named chief operating officer.
ATS purchased Prestera for DOD transport. Gross revenue exceeded $1.5 billion.
ATS Secure began to transport DOD freight. ATS’s corporate office completed its second addition. The ATS FreightMatch app launched.
Jim Anderson passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with brain cancer.
ATS celebrates its 70th anniversary. ATS has grown to 1,596 employees, 570 independent contractors, and 19 locations.