History
YRC Worldwide traces its origins to 1924 when A.J. Harrell, an Oklahoma City entrepreneur, founded a bus and taxi company and named it Yellow Cab Transit Co. In 1926, he shortened the name to Yellow Transit Co.
In April 1952, an ownership group led by George E. Powell Sr. bought the company. The group included George E. Powell Jr. and Roy Freuhauf, owner of the Freuhauf Trailer Co. Yellow helped pioneer the concept of consolidating small freight shipments into trailerloads for interstate transport, deconsolidation and distribution. In 1968, the company name changed from Yellow Transit Freight Lines to Yellow Freight System.
During the 1980s, after interstate trucking deregulation, Yellow embarked on a growth plan that focused on constructing new service centers and large distribution centers in an all-new design. In late 1992, Yellow Corp., the parent company, was formed with Yellow Transportation as its largest operating subsidiary. In 2003, Yellow acquired Roadway Corp. to become Yellow Roadway Corp. In 2005, Yellow expanded its regional capabilities by acquiring USF, which has been renamed YRC Regional Transportation. In 2006, the company changed its name to YRC Worldwide to reflect the expanding, global nature of the business.
Our YRC Worldwide companies are steeped in a rich history of tradition, service and ingenuity. Throughout a variety of acquisitions, leadership and name changes, and consolidations and strategic directions, each of our companies and our employees who support them have demonstrated outstanding tenacity and a determination to do the right thing by our customers and our enterprise.