Company History A commitment to quality. Service a step above. Individualized transportation solutions. All have been used to describe the legacy Lakeville Motor Express has built in its 85-plus years as a regional, Midwest-based motor carrier. When Vincent Wren started his rural delivery company back in 1921, he knew the work would be hard, the hours long. After loading heavy milk cans, collected from small dairy farms dotting the landscape around the suburban community of Lakeville, MN, Vincent would deliver the fresh milk to the Franklin Creamery in Minneapolis. On the return trip he’d bring back groceries and farm supplies. In the cold winter months he’d attach a plow to his truck so he could navigate the snow-packed dirt roads. In the spring and early summer, he’d risk getting stuck when those same dirt roads turned to mud. But Vincent persevered and grew his business. Today, Lakeville Motor Express, still owned and operated by the Wren family, is a dynamic, multi-million dollar motor carrier with complete coverage in 10-Midwestern states. Steady growth through the decades has not diminished the company-wide commitment to service, customer satisfaction and technological innovation. We specialize in providing solutions to your transportation supply chain challenges. With Lakeville Motor Express, you'll experience service products that are perhaps the most exciting, market-driven and customer pleasing in the industry.

Company Timeline:

1921 – Founding of LME as a rural delivery company by Vincent T. Wren. Lakeville Motor Express served farmers in the Minnesota towns of Lakeville, New Market, Farmington and Rosemount. Within a few years, Vincent owns a fleet of 3 trucks. 1925 – Vincent expands the business to include the Lyndale Garage, with 2 gas pumps, an air hose and a repair area for trucks and cars. Later, he also enters the house moving business and develops several sites as a general contractor. 1930’s – The trucking business continues to grow. A large portion of the company's fleet is lost in a fire; despite the national Depression, the company re-builds. Vincent Wren elected mayor of the city of Lakeville in the mid 30’s. 1961 – Vincent dies of cancer and leadership of the company passes to the oldest of Vincent’s five children, Charles. 1979 – Company annual revenue reaches $1.1 million; Charlie Wren retires and the next oldest son, John, takes the reins of the company. The main terminal and company offices move to Roseville, MN, a suburb just north of St. Paul. 1980 – Interstate trucking deregulation. LME begins to expand outside of Minnesota. 1986 – Annual revenue grows to $8.9 million. 1987 – LME continues to grow, serving points in Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakota’s plus a few points in Iowa. Revenue is at a strong $9.9 million. 1988 – Tom Hughes, an industry veteran joins LME as president and chief operating officer. John Wren becomes CEO with Joe, John’s son and the next generation of Wrens, joining the company. LME invests $800,000 in new equipment. 1995 – Federal preemption of state regulation, eliminating controls over intrastate freight rates and truck routes. Prior to this time, almost half of LME’s revenue derived from intrastate operations. By 1997, a growing interstate market and an aggressive marketing campaign, reduced the intrastate revenue contribution to less than 15% . 1996 – Lakeville Motor Express joins with 3 other regional carriers – Estes Express Lines (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast), G.I. Trucking Company (west & southwest) and TST Overland Express in Canada - to form ExpressLINK. Regional customers benefit from ExpressLINK’s faster transit times, integrated data systems and streamlined operations. 1997 – Revenue reaches $31.4 million. By this time, LME has added terminals in Milwaukee, Chicago, Omaha and Des Moines. 1998-99 - John Wren serves as ATA Chairman, after heading up the progressive Wren Committee which restructured the American Trucking Associations dues payments, structure and governance. LME 1998 revenue advances to $36.3 million. 2000 – Peter Martin named President of Lakeville Motor Express. Regional expansion, ExpressLINK growth and investment in computer and information systems help annual revenue expand to $49.7 million. 2001-02 – Emerging markets in Kansas, Missouri and outstate Illinois help propel annual revenue to $57.0 million in 2001 and $68.3 million in 2002. 2003 – LME launches Express Gold® Guaranteed Service. Revenue reaches $79.0 million. 2005 – Revenue reaches $113 million. 2006 – LME celebrates the 85th anniversary of its founding. 2008 – The Reliance Network is launched. This unified, across-the-continent coalition of six regional transportation companies offers seamless coverage through hundreds of service centers with exceptional service provided by more than 15,000 professionals.

Driver Ambrose Kim stands beside one of the company's early Wilcox trucks Advertising from the 1940’s LME straight truck in the 1950’s LME in the 1980's Lakeville Motor Express today