Company History: Old Dominion Freight Line

A Legacy of Keeping Promises

From a single truck running a 94-mile route in Virginia to a global transportation company with nearly 20,000 employees, OD has a rich and proud heritage. The values that drove our founders decades ago still inspire us today-helping you, and the world, keep promises.

Company Milestones

1934

Earl and Lillian Congdon founded Old Dominion Freight Line with a single truck running between Richmond, VA and Norfolk, VA.

1935-1939

Congress regulates the trucking industry; OD receives the Interstate Commerce Commission to transport general commodities and begins a period of rapid growth.

1940-1946

OD leads the way as World War II creates a boom in traffic between bases in Richmond, VA and Norfolk, VA. Teamsters organize drivers and warehouse workers and strike against OD. OD reopens as a nonunion carrier.

1950-1962

Founder Earl Congdon, Sr. dies. The company is incorporated and Lillian Congdon assumes the presidency. She is joined by sons Earl, Jr. and Jack. In 1957, OD extends operations to most major markets in North Carolina and southern Virginia with the acquisition of Bottoms-Fiske Truck Line. In 1962, OD moves its corporate offices to High Point and merges with Bottoms-Fiske. Earl Congdon, Jr. assumes the presidency. Lillian Congdon becomes the Chairman of the Board.

1969-1979

OD enters a period of unparalleled expansion and extends its coverage to the northeastern and southern regions with acquisitions of Barnes Truck Line, Nilson Motor Express and White Transport in 1969, Star Transport in 1972 and Deaton Trucking in 1979.

1980-1984

Congress partially deregulates the motor carriers, granting nationwide operating authority to all applicants. OD extends services to Florida, Tennessee, California, Dallas and Chicago.

1985-1994

OD concentrates on LTL, building density and improved profitability. OD goes public in 1991. OD initiates Intraregional service in the mid-Atlantic region in 1993.

1998-2000

David Congdon is named President and Chief Operating Officer. OD purchases selected assets of Fredrickson Motor Express, Goggin Truck Line, Inc. and Skyline to enhance super regional carrier positioning.

2001-2005

OD acquires Carter and Sons Trucking. OD expands into Nevada, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington State and builds density in existing areas throughout the country. Globally, OD introduces direct service to Canada. In 2005, OD expands into South Dakota and Vermont and continues to build density in existing areas throughout the United States.

2006 - 2010

OD purchases selected assets of Wichita Southeast Kansas Transit, Priority Freight Line, Bullocks Express Transportation, and Bob's Pickup and Delivery to expand service in the West. David Congdon is named President and CEO while Earl Congdon, Jr. becomes the Executive Chairman of the Board.

2011 - Present

OD initiates consumer household pickup and delivery services. Greg Gantt is named President and CEO while David Congdon becomes Chairman of the Board. OD currently operates 238 service centers, with complete coverage across the entire continental United States. OD also provides customers with access, through agents or strategic alliances, to services in various international locations including Canada, Mexico, Europe, and China.