IDAHO FALLS — Doug Andrus Distributing LLC (DAD) spent two days last month celebrating their 75th anniversary in business. Jason Andrus, one of the current owners of the business, said that hitting 75 years is, “a really big deal—especially in our industry. It’s almost unheard of in the trucking industry to be around this long.”

    The business began with a very unique structure by buying the cargo that it was hauling rather than just offering the freight services.  

    “We were hauling our own product,” said Andrus, which is what he attributes to the start-up being so successful.

    The company has stayed afloat since the early years by sticking to good values.  

    “I attribute it to the hard work of my grandfather, father and uncle,” says Andrus.  “We’re headed into the third generation of owners in the family and as long as we stick to the values, we’ll be okay.”  

    Andrus used the word “integrity” several times while describing his company.

    While the company seeks business everywhere, they are especially keen on Idaho business.  

    Andrus said, “We hope we can take care of all our customers… and especially those here in Idaho.”  

    Personal relationships are very important to the company, he says, and it is what keeps them in business. By providing quality service, it just promotes more business.

    The company is not just about generating its own revenue.  

    “Our biggest benefit to the community is that we employ about 340 people and promote related businesses around us and they employ more people,” said Andrus, adding that, “we provide a living for over 500 people in the community.”  

    That is a substantial contribution to the community, especially as that is on top of the $22,000 in taxes they pay for each truck, as well as income tax, which all just goes straight back into the community.

    The business struggles when diesel prices rise, but perhaps surprisingly, the biggest challenge is a lack of qualified drivers.

    “There is a lot of freight to be moved,” said Andrus.  

    Even with the economy the way it is and so many people searching for work of any kind, Doug Andrus Distributing still has a hard time recruiting drivers.  

    “It’s a life that takes people away from their families for periods of time,” he said, “but we need people to know that they can make better money and have great benefits.”

    Doug Andrus Distributing is still looking for these qualified drivers.

    For additional information on Andrus Distributing, visit www.dougandrus.com.