Keller Logistics Group History

At the age of 16, Keller Trucking founder, Tom Keller was transporting loads of melons grown on his family farm in Knox County, Indiana to neighboring cities and eventually across state lines into Michigan and as far south as Georgia.

Tom’s interest in the trucking industry led to purchasing additional trucks and eventually moonlighting from a makeshift office at his kitchen table at home coordinating freight, marking the early beginnings of Keller Trucking.

Keller Trucking incorporated, and acquired permanent operating authority.

The company moved to a location on Jackson Street in Defiance with an office and small terminal that held 10 trucks and trailers, with an apartment nearby for drivers to sleep and clean up between routes. As one of the first trucking companies to use curtain side trucks, and by creating double trailers, Keller Trucking became a leading innovator in the trucking industry.

Due to growing volume, a 7,000 square foot terminal, small office, two maintenance bays and a wash bay were constructed where the Keller complex remains today on Elliott Road in Defiance, Ohio.

Tom began succession planning by grooming nephew, Bryan Keller, to eventually take over the family business. Together, Tom & Bryan made the decision to branch out into the warehousing business. Over the next six years, they built four warehouses.

Bryan Keller was named CEO of Thomas E. Keller Trucking, following in his uncle’s footsteps and continuing the family business.

Keller Logistics Group was created to house all the affiliate companies, including Thomas E. Keller Trucking and Keller Warehousing and Distribution, eventually also adding Keller Freight Solutions, and Keller Packaging.

K&P Medical Transport was established to handle transportation needs of individuals to medical appointments throughout Northwest Ohio, utilizing passenger cars, ambulettes, and passenger vans.

Operation KAVIC (Keller Assists Veterans In Crisis), our proprietary philanthropy was established to help local veterans and their families in financial hardship with expenses not covered by veteran’s benefits. To date, the non-profit has raised over $100,000 to help local veterans in need.

Keller Trucking founder, Tom Keller released his memoir, The Life and Legacy of Thomas E. Keller.

Growing up in rural Indiana on a melon farm in the 1930s, Tom Keller’s humble beginnings taught him the value of family, hard work, and building a legacy. As the first one in his family to attend college, Tom went on to make a name for himself as a leading salesman selling farm equipment throughout the Midwest.

Tom overcame a lifetime of hardships and heartbreaks, but it didn’t stop him from building a trucking company that would one day become one of the biggest employers in Defiance, Ohio. Through perseverance, taking risks, and never giving up, Tom built a business that will carry on for generations to come.

To purchase a copy of The Life and Legacy of Thomas E. Keller visit our page on Lulu.com

Keller Logistics Group announced a venture into food preservation technology with the addition of the affiliate Hydrofresh HPP.

Keller Trucking celebrated 40th anniversary, received Proclamation from the Mayor of Defiance.

K&P Medical Transport purchased a local company and expanded it fleet by two ambulettes and four ambulances. Keller Trucking acquired Everhart Trucking of Ada, Ohio bringing the fleet total up to 200 tractors and 550 trailers.

The Hydrofresh HPP affiliate was sold to Universal Pure. Keller Trucking purchased three electric spotter trucks to advance sustainable practices. Keller Warehousing & Co-Packing flipped a former 195,000 sq. ft. retail space into a warehouse & co-packing facility. Keller joined the industrial development field with the creation of affiliate Keller Industrial Properties.

Keller purchased and refurbished a local former outdoor entertainment facility to hold corporate and employee events.