The company was founded as Livingston Merchant's Co-op in 1958 and incorporated as Averitt Express in 1969.[2][3] Averitt is owned by Gary Sasser, who purchased the company from its original owner, Thurman Averitt, in October 1971 at the age of 20. At the time of Sasser's purchase, Averitt operated 3 trucks and 5 trailers.[citation needed]
As of 2015[update], the company claims to be "one of the nation's leading freight transportation and supply chain management providers".[3] In 2021, Averitt purchased a 25,000 square-feet distribution center in Amarillo and opened new locations in Grand Prairie, Houston, and Laredo, TX.
In 2022, Averitt Express opened a new distribution and fulfillment facility in the Memphis area. The new center is a 260,000 square-feet, adding to their 2.4 million square-feet of space over their 40+ locations.[4]
In, 2023 Averitt Express donated $1,200,001 to St. Jude Children's Hospital.[5] Most of the funds were donated through an employee program in which about 94% of Averitt employees donated minimum of $1 per week to the Averitt Cares for Kids fund.[5][6] Averitt opened another distribution and fulfillment center in Louisville, KY, that spans over 340,000 square-feet.[7]
Averitt Cares for Kids is a non-profit organization that is funded by associates of Averitt Express and is managed by the company.[10] associated with St. Jude's Children's Hospital.[11]
Awards
Averitt Express has won many quality awards for environmental responsibility, publication service, and safety, as well as many customer service awards from companies including Walmart, Dollar General, General Motors, Jack Daniels, etc.[12]
In March 2024, Averitt Express won Extensiv's Powerhouse Award for the company's analytics implementation.[13]
Udo, Godwin J.; Grant, Trish (1993). "Making EDI Pay Off: The Averitt Express Experience". Production and Inventory Management Journal. Production and inventory management journal : Journal of the American Production and Inventory Control Society, Inc. - Washington, DC : Soc., ISSN 0897-8336, ZDB-ID 10542929. - Vol. 34.1993, 4, p. 6-11. 34 (4): 6–11. (Preview page).