Crete Carrier Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Freight transport |
| Founded | 1966 in Crete, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
| Divisions |
|
| Website | cretecarrier |
Crete Carrier Corporation is an American trucking company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The company comprises three divisions—Crete Carrier, Shaffer Trucking, and Hunt Transportation—and offers freight transport services across the contiguous United States.
History
Crete Carrier was founded by Ken Norton in 1966 in Crete, Nebraska. The company served as a contract carrier in its early years, shipping goods for customers such as Alpo pet food.[1][2]
In 1971, Crete Carrier was acquired by Duane Acklie, the company's attorney, and his wife Phyllis, who borrowed $8,000 to complete the purchase.[1] The company relocated its headquarters to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1973.[3][4]
In 1974, the company acquired Shaffer Trucking, a refrigerated carrier based in New Kingstown, Pennsylvania. In 1979, the company acquired another refrigerated carrier, Sunflower Carriers, based in York, Nebraska.[3][5]
In 1999, the company acquired Hunt Transportation (no relation to J. B. Hunt), a trucking company based in Omaha, Nebraska, that focused on heavy machinery transport.[6][7]
By 2005, Crete Carrier Corporation employed more than 3,000 drivers and maintained a fleet of more than 3,400 tractors and 8,200 trailers.[8]
Operations
Crete Carrier Corporation is a privately held company that provides freight transport services across the contiguous United States.[9] The company comprises three divisions: Crete Carrier, providing dry van services; Shaffer Trucking, providing refrigerated services; and Hunt Transportation, providing flatbed services.[10] As of 2025, the company maintains a fleet of more than 5,000 tractors and 13,000 trailers.[3]
References
- ^ a b Dinger 2008, p. 114.
- ^ David C. Beeder (May 13, 1984). "Acklie Has Crete Carrier in High Gear". Omaha World-Herald. Sec. M, p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Company History". Crete Carrier Corporation. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Chris Dunker (February 26, 2020). "'If you bought it, a truck brought it': Crete Carrier continuing to grow, change in new economy". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Dinger 2008, p. 115.
- ^ Dinger 2008, p. 116.
- ^ "Crete Carrier Buys Hunt Transportation". Lincoln Journal Star. November 2, 1999. p. 5A – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Crete Carrier Corp. continues growth but needs drivers". Lincoln Journal Star. February 27, 2005. p. 5N – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Crete Carrier". Hoover's Handbook of Private Companies. Hoover's, Inc. 2010. p. 151. ISBN 978-1-57311-137-9 – via Archive.org.
- ^ "Divisions". Crete Carrier Corporation. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
Sources
- Dinger, Ed (2008). "Crete Carrier Corporation". In Jay P. Peterson (ed.). International Directory of Company Histories. Vol. 95. St. James Press. pp. 114–117. ISBN 978-1-55862-616-4.