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History of

Witte Bros. Exchange

The Witte Family of Companies began in 1946 when Clem Witte purchased tractor-trailers that he used to haul cattle from Little Rock, Arkansas to St. Louis, Missouri to resell to local farmers and sale barns as well as restock his own herd in Troy. In 1949, Clem decided to hand over the transportation side of the business and sell his trucks and trailers to his sons, Martin and Jim. Their other brother, Harry, joined the business in 1953.

The Witte brothers purchased property and constructed a small office, warehouse, and truck terminal where they grew the trucking side of the business to run long-haul teams of drivers hauling livestock. During the 1960s, they opened a feed supply business that eventually expanded with the development of a cattle feedlot in southwest Troy.

In the 1970s, the business took a bigger dive into the cattle feedlot business and kept the truckline very busy hauling cattle for themselves, while continuing to move livestock for others. Jim took over the role of buying and selling cattle, Harry oversaw the truckline and accounting for the businesses, and Joe Witte joined the company to run the local feedlot operations. Their cattle began to exceed their capacity, so they rented additional facilities throughout the country.

With the ever-changing prices of beef and cattle futures in the 1980s and the unpredictable outcomes of live animals, the brothers decided it was time to reduce their reliance on cattle. They sold 95% of their cattle holdings and took the proceeds to expand their truck fleet into the wide open world of trucking. They purchased new refrigerated trailers and used trucks, converted the original feed store into dispatch offices, and built a new shop for maintenance. The business continued to grow during the 80s and they transported fresh produce, frozen goods, coffee, and many more consumer goods. The company focused on customer service and continued to prosper with the help of a dedicated staff.

Harry became the sole owner of the companies and the 90s brought an opportunity to begin a new service. Witte partnered with a St. Louis-based cold storage facility to offer frozen and refrigerated less-than-truckload (LTL) service to the 48 states nationwide. This small niche grew to become a major part of the business and enabled us to separate from our partner. During this time, Harry’s children Brent, Chad, and Lila joined the company.

The continued growth required more land and facilities. In 1999, Witte Bros. Exchange purchased 30 acres west of Troy and started a building expansion. During the 2000s, an expanded maintenance facility was erected, a two-story office building was constructed, and a temperature-controlled 33-door cross-dock facility was built.

Today, the company sits on 80 acres, operates 200 tractors, 275 trailers, a 20,000 pallet-position cold storage facility, and employs over 300 persons. With a concentration in the perishable food supply chain, Witte Bros. offers nationwide truckload, LTL, logistics, and cold storage options for a wide range of customers. We continue to focus on customer service and strive to offer a great place for employees to call home. The company is still led by family, with Brent Witte, Chad Witte, and Vaughn McDowell at the helm.

Humble beginnings transporting cattle back to a farmstead grew into a premier provider of cold chain logistics, management, transportation, and storage services. We’ve adapted to industry changes and implemented leading technological solutions over the years and are ready to continue influencing the future.

Our

History

1946
The Witte Family of Companies is Founded

Clem Witte purchases tractor-trailers and uses them to haul cattle from Little Rock, Arkansas, to St. Louis, Missouri, resell to local farmers and sale barns, and restock his herd in Troy.

1949
Martin & Jim Witte Join the Family Business

Clem passes down the transportation side of the business by selling his tractor-trailers to his sons, Martin and Jim. He continues to purchase and resell cattle.

1953
Harry Witte Joins the Business

While Jim serves as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War, Harry Witte, another of Clem’s sons, joins Martin in the family business.

1957
The Wittes Purchase New Property

The Wittes purchase property on Cherry Street in Troy and construct a small office, warehouse, and truck terminal with the help of Jim Whalen and William Creech.

1960s
The Wittes Open a Feed Supply Business

The three Witte brothers focus on non-regulated agricultural products and open a feed supply business to provide area farmers with chicken, cattle, and hog feed.

1970s
A Deep Dive Into the Cattle Feedlot Business

Joe Witte joins the company to run local feedlot operations, and the brothers rent additional facilities in Troy, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, and California.

Early 1980s
Goodbye Cattle, Hello Trucking

Prompted by the adaptive changes in the trucking industry, the Wittes strategically sell 95% of their cattle holdings and expand their truck fleet.

Late 1980s
All-New Equipment & Headquarters

With a reduced reliance on cattle, the Witte brothers purchase new refrigerated trailers and used trucks, convert the feed store into dispatch offices, and build a new maintenance shop.

1990s
New Opportunities & New Members

Jim passes, and Harry becomes the sole owner of the Witte companies. Witte explores new avenues and partners with a St. Louis-based cold storage facility. Harry’s children also join the business.

1999
The Beginning of Expansion

With Brent, Chad, and Lila Witte on board, the company purchases 30 acres west of Troy and starts a building expansion that continues through today.

2000s
New Millennium, Continued Expansion

The Wittes erect an expanded maintenance facility, construct a two-story office building, and build a temperature-controlled 33-door cross-dock facility.

Today
Perishable Food Supply Chain Industry Leaders

Today, Witte Bros. Exchange, Inc. sits on 80 acres, operates 200 trucks, 275 trailers, and a 20,000 pallet-position cold storage facility, and employs over 300 people with Brent Witte, Chad Witte, and Vaughn McDowell at the helm.

Centrally Located In

Troy, Missouri

Witte Bros. delivers quality service nationwide.

Our

Mission

Our mission at Witte Bros. Exchange, Inc. is to continue to be the leader in refrigerated product distribution throughout the United States and put the safest drivers on the road through our training program. We take pride in our dedication to exceptional customer service and on-time delivery, LTL, logistics, and cold storage services.