Our History
Since 1951, Peninsula has exceeded expectations while providing reliable transportation services with peace of mind.
Our History
Peninsula Truck Lines is rooted in family and in the Northwest region. We are a third-generation family-owned business and maintain the same unwavering commitment to our customers, employees and community that we’ve had since the beginning. Here’s how we got from there to here:
OUR EARLIEST DAYS
Peninsula Truck Lines was founded in 1951; however, the Vander Pol family has been involved in transportation in the Pacific Northwest since the 1930s.
1936
In January 1936, John and Gus Vander Pol purchased Oak Harbor Transfer for $600.00 and the following obligations:
- The balance due on a 1-1/2 ton Reo truck ($1100.00)
- The balance due on a 1934 Ford sedan ($200.00)
- The balance of a loan in the amount of $2680.00
1937
In 1937, Henry VanderPol joined the brothers at Oak Harbor Transfer.
1942
In 1942, Oak Harbor Transfer purchased Oak Harbor Freight Lines and retained the name.
1947
In 1947, Oak Harbor Freight Lines was serving Seattle, Everett, Stanwood, Whidbey Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
OUR START
1951
In 1951, Gus Vander Pol, John Vander Pol, Henry Vander Pol, and Richard (R.W.) Smith formed a corporation and purchased the operating authority of Tooker Motor Freight and started operating under temporary authority as Peninsula Truck Lines with service between Seattle and Port Angeles, Washington.
1968
In the 1968, John Vander Pol was stricken with a stroke, retired and sold his stock in both companies.
EXPANDING IN PUGET SOUND
In the 1970s, Peninsula continued to expand its service area west of Puget Sound with the purchases of Poulsbo Seattle Auto Freight and Olympic Transportation which allowed Peninsula to begin serving Aberdeen, Washington.
1973
In 1973, Gus Vander Pol purchased all of Peninsula Truck Lines from his partners, Henry Vander Pol and R. W. Smith, and sold his interest in Oak Harbor Freight Lines to Henry Vander Pol. Gus’ sons, Stan Vander Pol and Paul Vander Pol, became stockholders.
1976
In 1976, Stan Vander Pol became President of Peninsula and served in that role until 2015.
1977
In 1977, Merv Haveman, Gus’ son-in-law, became a stockholder.
CONTINUED EXPANSION
In the early 1980s, with interstate deregulation taking effect, Peninsula expanded service between Aberdeen, Bremerton, Seattle and Portland, Oregon.
1982
In December 1982, Gus Vander Pol passed away.
1987
In June of 1987, Paul Vander Pol sold his stock.
1988
In 1988, Washington intrastate authority was purchased from Great Northern Freight Lines enabling expansion into eastern Washington. Peninsula opened terminals in Yakima and Spokane.
WASHINGTON COVERAGE
In the 1990s, Peninsula continued to fill out its coverage in Washington, adding Kennewick in 1992, Bellingham in 1996 and Cle Elum in 1997. The ICC Termination Act of 1995 lifted most Federal Motor Carrier restrictions. Eliminating the need to purchase authority to ship in a specific lane, it became easier to add additional service areas with company terminals and employees instead of using agents.
1996
In 1996, Merv Haveman sold his stock and Stan Vander Pol became the primary stockholder. Stan and Merv had shared ownership and management of the company for nearly 20 years.
IMPROVING SERVICE
In the 2000s, Peninsula’s focus shifted to improving service and coverage and we added four more terminals in Oregon and Idaho. We also increased terminals in the Puget Sound region to help offset traffic congestion.
ALWAYS IMPROVING
In the 2010s, we added two more Oregon terminals and moved our Cle Elum terminal to Wenatchee.
2013
In 2013, Tim Vander Pol, one of Stan and Thelma’s sons, purchased a large minority stake in the company.
2015
In 2015, Brent Vander Pol became the President of Peninsula Truck Lines and Stan Vander Pol became the Chairman of the Board.
MILESTONES
2021
In April of 2021 Peninsula Truck Lines celebrated 70 years in Business!
In September of 2021, Peninsula Truck Lines redeemed Stan and Thelma’s interest in the company. After over 49 years of service, Stan retired.
TODAY
Today, Peninsula Truck Lines is owned by the third generation. Tim Vander Pol is majority shareholder. The other owners are Sharletta, Tim’s siblings and their spouses, and two cousins including Brent Vander Pol, Peninsula’s President.
Over the past seven decades, Peninsula’s steadfast goal has been to treat co-workers and customers with respect and integrity. It is our belief that this will continue to provide the excellence in every transaction in which our employees and customers rely on from Peninsula Truck Lines.
