Caledonia Haulers history

January 6, 1965 – Bought Leslie Heintz’s shares and purchased a new Ford semi tractor and a used tank trailer for the milk route to Illinois, which is still in operation today.

1973 – The corporation bought back Eugene Kohlmeyer’s shares.

1977 – The fleet had grown to five tractors and they began to transport milk to Carlinville, Illinois.

Joe Gavin continued to act as President of the company until 1992.

May of 1994 – Dennis Gavin was voted in as President/CEO of the corporation, a position he still holds today.

As of 1997, there are only two shareholders remaining, Dennis Gavin, President/CEO and William Koch, Vice-President.

December 1, 1998 – The company bought the Wittenberg milk route in Rollingstone which included four quad axle trucks and four drivers.

March of 1999 – Gerald Myhre was nominated by the Minnesota Trucking Association for the Driver of the Year in the State of Minnesota.

2001 – Caledonia Haulers started with its growth for the year 2001 by purchasing nine more trailers and 13 more trucks.

August of 2003 – Purchased the truck division of Terry Johnson and Sons, in Darlington, WI. One dispatcher and about 20 trucks are in this location.

Our maintenance department has grown along with the fleet over 24 years and as of 2005, they service and sell parts to almost 100 customers in addition to our own fleet.

2006 – By the end of 2006, the company had added three trucks and farm route trailers to the Northwest Indiana area and was operating 100% CAT power in Peterbilt chassis.

April of 2007 – An opportunity in Michigan drove the company to base a small group of trucks and trailers in the Hudson Michigan Area to service the Vreba-Hoff Dairies

October of 2008 – Caledonia Haulers celebrates their 50th Anniversary.

April of 2010 – Another growth year for Caledonia Haulers.

May of 2011 – Persistent growth and expansion continued with the update of our payroll offices and the purchase of several trucks and trailers from Rembrandt Enterprises.

June – August of 2012 – Continued updates of the milk receiving plant by installing a new boiler system and blacktopping the entire parking lot.

February of 2013 – Owner Bill Koch retired after 55 years of hauling milk and was presented with a lifetime achievement award.

September of 2014 – Construction begins for consolidated and greatly improved maintenance facility.

March of 2015 – Installed new LED message display for company and community announcements.

July of 2016 – Driver Mike VanNess Wins 1st Place Working truck-company combination at Walcott Super Truck Beauty Contest.

January of 2017 – Purchased Mayer Milk Hauling Route adding 49 new milk patron stops bringing the total growth on the route side to 59 new patrons for 2017.

October of 2018 – Caledonia Haulers celebrates 60 years in business.

2019 Driver of the Month Award

2020 Driver of the Month Award

July of 2021 – Dennis Gavin makes the front cover of MTA’s Minnesota Trucking magazine.