We service truckload customers, full loads, point-to-point and less than truckload. We are known for making multiple drops and pick-ups. We have a rich history that extends over 30 years. From the very beginning, our goal was to provide our valued customers with exceptional service. We are proud to have been able to accomplish that goal. We plan to continue the company’s successful legacy for years to come. Northern Milk Lines was established in 1947 by Frank & Adeline Mello. The company started off with hauling milk cans and tankers from small dairies to the creamery. In 1962, Frank Mello passed away, leaving his wife Adeline in control of the company. At that time, Northern Milk Lines had only one customer. The company experienced periods of success and slow periods. The struggle to survive continued for several years, but they never threw in the towel. In 1970, Adeline’s son Rick had a solution. He decided that if the company were to continue, they would need to diversify their business into the refrigerated foods market. Their first haul (with a borrowed refrigerated trailer) was from a frozen food company in Modesto, CA. Eventually, the company expanded to include hauling frozen vegetables, poultry and other chilled and frozen foods. During this time, Rick Mello and our future Vice President John Doidge were taking turns working in the office and driving trucks round the clock. Their hard work certainly paid off in the long-run. In the late 1970’s, the company moved to Ceres, CA and slowly began to expand. A small cooler and cross-dock were added to help with our ability to service the LTL market. The last milk route was eventually sold, and the company re-emerged as Northern Refrigerated Transportation. The company reinvented itself as a refrigerated carrier servicing northern California lanes. By the mid 1970’s Northern expanded its area to service the Southern California market. From the beginning of its transformation, Northern’s ambitions was to handle refrigerated LTL traffic and to surpass their competition. From 1980-1995, Northern Refrigerated Transportation began expanding into new lanes (NV, OR, WA) and acquiring other trucking firms, and adding additional Terminals in Fresno and Los Angeles. In 1995, Northern purchased 18 acres in Turlock CA for the future site of its main terminal headquarters. Our corporate terminal in Turlock was built in 1999, where we are still located today. A terminal in Clackamas OR (outside of Portland) was established in the mid 2000’s. Our Industries:
We service Food Manufacturers, Co-packers, and temp control products that are:
- Located on the West Coast
- Looking to send freight nationally including Canada
- Looking for a distributor to deliver on the West Coast
- Might require temp control inbound ingredients
- Carriers that want to avoid delivery to CA (CARB requirements)
- Companies that do not want the expense of hiring drivers/maintaining equipment
To find out more information about our company, feel free to contact us today @800.692.5874
