Potashnick Transportation is a third-generation company with roots in the trucking industry dating back to the early 1930’s. Mr. Sam Potashnick was the grandfather and RalphPotashnick was the father of the current day president, Samuel “Sam” Potashnick.
In 1931 Mr. Sam, and his sons Ralph and Gene Potashnick, established Potashnick Truck Service. This service was an LTL carrier from St. Louis, Missouri to Memphis, Tennessee with several small terminals in between the two major cities. The company would haul livestock North to the St. Louis stock yard then return south with groceries and general commodities headed to Memphis. Stops would be made at many locations between the two cities to make deliveries.
C. D. “Cotton” Springs would gather the cattle in a bob truck, and deliver them to the terminal. The cattle where then loaded and shipped to St. Louis to market. “Cotton” was the father to our current day CEO, Janie Springs Potashnick.
In 1936, Potashnick Truck Service moved to their second terminal. The trailers in the picture were built by Potashnick Truck Service for the purpose of hauling the cattle. Their fleet consisted of six power units.
Through the 30s and 40s Potashnick Truck Service continued to grow. Still an LTL carrier, they had even more terminals along the route between St. Louis and Memphis.
Potashnick Truck service continued to grow through the years and eventually evolved into S & J Potashnick, doing business as Potashnick Transportation, Inc. (PTI) in 1985. Moving from a less than full loads carrier to a truck load carrier providing point to point service to the contiguous 48 states. PTI has grown from 20 power units in 1985 to a fleet of over 180 late model power units and over 400 air ride dry vans operating out of our strategic location in Sikeston, Mo at the junction of Hwy 60 and interstates 55 and 57.
In 2007, PTI became a member of the National Women's Enterprise when Janie Springs Potashnick became the CEO of the family owned and operated company. As PTI evolves into a 4th generation company, we strive to maintain the level of service and commitment to excellence that PTI's founders forged in 1931.