CBJ's Largest Privately Held Companies 2018

CRST TIME LINE
Proud to call
Cedar Rapids
home for over
60 years!
CEDAR RAPIDS HAS ALWAYS COME FIRST FOR US.
It’s been over 60 years since we began operations
as Cedar Rapids Steel Transportation. Thousands of
employees and millions of miles later, we’ve never
lost sight of our home. We know the extraordinary
dedication and work ethic of the people in this
community have been the power behind our success.
That success has allowed CRST to support not only
a large local workforce but to invest millions of
dollars in this community. We believe supporting
many deserving non-profit organizations helps
to make Cedar Rapids a better place to live...and
keeps CRST a great place to work.
Visit us at www.crst.com/careers
1955 Cedar Rapids Steel Transportation is founded by
Herald Smith.
1963 CRST reaches $1 million in annual revenue.
1968 Herald Smith purchases BOS Lines to quadruple
the size of CRST and set the stage for growth in the
1970s.
1974 CRST expands into dry freight and refrigerated
commodities. Cedar Rapids Steel Transport changes
name to CRST, Inc.
1977 Paul Shawver becomes President; Herald Smith
remains Chairman of the Board.
1983 John Smith becomes President; Paul Shawver
becomes Vice Chairman of the Board.
1984 Malone Freight Lines is acquired.
1985 CRST International, Inc. is formed.
1991 CRST Logistics is formed.
1997 John M. Smith purchases company from his family.
2007 CRST Dedicated Services is formed.
2008 Driver Training Center is opened on Cedar Rapids
campus.
2010 John Smith becomes Chairman of the Board;
Dave Rusch is appointed President and CEO.
2011 Specialized Transportation, Inc. is acquired. CRST
reaches $1 billion in revenue. Transport Topics names
CRST the Fastest Growing Carrier.
2013 Special Products Division of Allied Van Lines and BESL
are acquired.
2014 CRST breaks ground on new head-quarters in
downtown Cedar Rapids. CRST launches culturechanging
Gold Rules driver retention initiative.
2015 CRST acquires Pegasus Transportation and celebrates
60th Anniversary. Joe Scherbring achieves 5 million
accident-free miles.
Herald Smith, beloved company founder passes away.
2016 CRST acquires Gardner Trucking, California’s largest
private carrier.