Quality Produce Shippers, Inc. was founded in 1975 by Al Armstrong. Al started with one customer, a Rolodex and a phone. Loads were covered over a phone call, no emails or faxed rate sheets. He gave everyone his attention, time and respect. Al would drive over an hour each way in the evening to the Stockyards Truck Stop in Chicago to give a driver an advance. He would call everyone in his Rolodex until his customer’s loads were covered. Taking care of the customer and the driver were his top priorities. He would say “ If you keep the driver happy he will want to haul for you, thus keeping your customer happy.” The world changed but Al didn’t. He eventually bought a fax machine and computer even though he did not like using either one. He did not understand why people wanted a faxed load confirmation from him after doing business together for ten, fifteen or even twenty years. Technology was not his forte. Treating customers, dispatchers, drivers and dock workers with care and respect was. Everyone had a job to do and he always helped them do it with respect and understanding.

In 2000, Al was considering retiring. Todd Pollard, his most valued and senior employee offered to buy the company.  Al made Todd promise to always keep and respect the values he had held dear for so many years. With that promise and a handshake Todd purchased the company. With more technology and all the principals and values intact, especially “ Treat everybody how you want to be treated” Mr. Pollard has thrived utilizing old school values with modern technology.