40 Years. Rooted in Quality.
40th Anniversary Event Press Release
PGT Trucking Inc. Celebrates Four Decades of Success with Anniversary Event
Aliquippa, PA, June 2, 2021 – PGT Trucking, Inc., www.pgttrucking.com, a leader in the transportation industry, has reached the extraordinary milestone of providing 40 years of quality shipping solutions to businesses across the country. On Saturday, May 22, PGT celebrated its 40th Anniversary with an event at the Willows Event Center in Industry, PA, welcoming friends and family, associates and partners for a gathering to honor four decades of success.
Pat Gallagher established PGT Trucking in 1981 on the principles of superior flatbed transportation services and personal relationships in the metals and building construction markets. The company, which started with one tractor and two employees, today employs more than 1,030 drivers, maintenance teams, agents and support staff, and operates in excess of 1,000 power units and over 1,500 trailers nationwide.
At the event, guests were welcomed by a large, interactive timeline display, showcasing PGT's growth since 1981, and enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and live music before presentations started.
Pittsburgh radio and television personality Larry Richert was the emcee for the event. A video tribute and memorable speeches from employees and friends filled the room with laughter and reminiscing. PGT President Gregg Troian presented Gallagher with a handmade, custom wooden American flag, a gift from PGT employees.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes to the industry throughout the last 40 years,” said Troian. “But one thing that has remained the same, contributing to the success of PGT, has been our focus on smart and strategic growth. PGT is made up of quality drivers and personnel, agents and customers, who have supported and grown with our organization through the years.”
To end the day's celebration, Gallagher was surprised with another gift; a fully-restored International TranStar® II to help commemorate forty years in the transportation business. His first truck in 1981!
This gift was made possible with the support of BMO Transportation Finance, Campbell Signs & Apparel, Coury Financial Services, the Employees of PGT Trucking, 1st Source Bank, Hill International Trucks, International, Navistar, Kitchen Family Trucking, Michelin, Daniel & Merry Morton, MSR Transportation, Neilly Canvas Goods Company, Pilot Company, Pion Law, The University of Pittsburgh Athletics, Reitnouer Aluminum Trailers, Schneider Downs, Seubert, The Law Offices of W. David Slomski, Esq., TAB Bank, Tri-State Trailer Sales, Gregg & Judy Troian, Valley Tire Co., Joe & Cindy Vargo and Family, and Len Yanni.
Parts from three trucks were used to rebuild this vintage replica TranStar at Hill International’s East Liverpool, Ohio body shop. More than 1100 man hours were put into the restoration. PGT has partnered with Hill International Trucks for 40 years to build their fleet with quality equipment. This is just one example of the lasting relationships that have contributed to PGT’s success through the years.
Each guest was given a die-cast collectable model of PGT’s original TranStar II to take home.
“PGT has always been about people; the employees and the customers, and building those relationships on trust, respect and loyalty,” Gallagher said to guests at the event. “One of my biggest joys has been watching my employees grow over the years, and I am so blessed to have such a great group of drivers and personnel working here at PGT, many of whom started with the company in the 1980s and are still with us today. Trucking is a tough industry, but we are going to continue to grow, rooted in our fundamental cornerstones of personal customer relationships, employee development, safety and profitability. Here's to the next 40 years!”
40th Anniversary Press Release
PGT Trucking Inc. Celebrates 40th Year in Business
Aliquippa, PA, January 4, 2021 – PGT Trucking, Inc., www.pgttrucking.com, a leader in the transportation industry, has reached the extraordinary milestone of providing 40 years of quality shipping solutions to businesses across the country.
Patrick A. Gallagher founded PGT Trucking in 1981 on the principles of superior flatbed transportation services and personal relationships in the metals and building construction markets. Originally based in Industry, PA, (Beaver County) the company started with only one tractor and two employees.
“From day one, PGT has focused on smart and strategic growth,” said Pat Gallagher, Founder and CEO. “By networking with our customers and vendors, we quickly expanded to over 30 terminal locations across the United States.”
Over the last 40 years, PGT has grown into a state-of-the art flatbed transportation company, servicing the steel, building materials, machinery, oil & gas, raw materials, aluminum, and automotive industries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, celebrating numerous milestones along the way:
- 1981: In addition to starting the company, Pat Gallagher establishes a relationship with Jack Hill at O.S. Hill & Co., Inc. International in East Liverpool, OH. Throughout this 40 year relationship, PGT has purchased thousands of trucks from Hill International.
- 1987: PGT opens Warehouse Distribution of Pittsburgh in Ambridge, PA, a full-service warehousing complex, designed to accommodate the steel and industrial goods industries.
- 1990: PGT moves headquarters from Industry, PA to Monaca, PA, developing a full campus setting for drivers and employees.
- 1991: Pittsburgh Logistics Systems, a third-party provider for international freight transportation, logistics, and technology services was formed, branching off into its own entity in 1993.
- 1995: PGT’s Laredo Terminal is established, opening the gateway to Mexico and expansion of transportation offerings.
- 2000: Southern Pines Trucking, a division of PGT, is founded to focus on cryogenic tanker moves for industrial and medical grade gases, and hazardous materials, later expanding transportation offerings to oversize/overweight specialized commodities.
- 2006: PGT acquires Midwest Logistics in Champaign, IL, developing a van, refrigerated and Conestoga division.
- 2013: PGT acquires Liedtka Logistics in Trenton, NJ, becoming a dominant flatbed carrier in the Northeast.
- 2014: Expanding its footprint westward, PGT acquires Kelworth Trucking in Poteau, OK.
- 2016: PGT moves its headquarters to Hopewell Industrial Park in Aliquippa, PA, later acquiring property from Perfetti Trucking, and opening a new Driver Training Facility and Terminal in Blairsville, PA.
Today, PGT employs more than 1,030 drivers, mechanics, agents and support staff, and operates in excess of 1,000 power units and over 1,500 trailers nationwide.
“Part of our success has been PGT’s ability to adapt and prosper in this ever-changing transportation industry,” added Gregg Troian, President, who joined PGT in 1986. “In the last four decades, this sector has seen major changes to its regulations, economic highs and lows, and more recently, the addition of technology. And while many other trucking companies were not able to profit and grow, PGT has stood strong, rooted in our fundamental cornerstones of personal customer relationships, employee development, safety and profitability.”
To celebrate 40 years of success and growth, PGT launched a new webpage to share news, events and highlights. You can view it here: www.pgttrucking.com/celebrating-40-years. In May, PGT will host its annual Million Mile and Safe Driver Celebration at The Willows in Industry, PA. This year, it will be held in conjunction with additional 40th Anniversary festivities.
“I am so blessed to have such a great group of drivers and employees working here at PGT, many of whom started with the company in the 1980s and are still with us today,” said Gallagher. “In an industry that struggles with high turnover rates, I feel that this is a true testament of our principles and our mission. We are in the people business, not the trucking business. It is the drivers, the leadership, the support staff and the truck maintenance teams who have all contributed to the success of this organization over the last 40 years.”
About PGT Trucking:
PGT Trucking, Inc., is a multi-service transportation firm offering flatbed, dedicated, international and specialized services. PGT operates in excess of 1,000 power units and over 1,500 trailers and is headquartered in Aliquippa, PA. At PGT Trucking, “Safety is Everyone’s Job – All the Time.” For more information visit www.pgttrucking.com.
Contact: Katie Irvine, PGT Trucking
Phone: 724.987.1812 Email: kirvine@pgttrucking.com