From the Family Mission

We are proud of how we got here. Go ahead and read. Many hours of hard work have gone into our little company. There are a few good stories. The current generation works hard to continue them promising stories of the past.

1938: Elmer Kottke moved from the farm to Buffalo Lake, MN. He started trucking for the local creamery; hauling milk, feed, and fertilizer.

1961: Donald and Duane Kottke took over their father's business (Kottke Bros.) They added freight and gravel to the business.

1963: Kottke Bros. Added hauling U.S. Mail from Minneapolis to Bird Island, MN.

1970: Donald and Duane decided to split the family business. Duane acquired the mail route and added grain hauling part-time from Buffalo Lake to Savage, MN. Duane started-with a 1969 Chevy tractor and a 1957 rusty trailer. He named the business "Kottke Trucking."

1971: Kottke Trucking was under bid and lost the mail route. At this time Duane changed his business to hauling grain. Trucking grain from Buffalo Lake to the metro area was good. Kottke Trucking grew to 12 rigs.

1983: Kottke Trucking lost its shipper, the Farmers Co-op Elevator. The Buffalo Lake Elevator is one of the largest elevators in Minnesota and they decided to ship by rail. This left Kottke Trucking with no shipper. Struggled through five tough years. Trading in hopper trailers for refrigerated trailers, and searching for new shippers, applying for ICC authority, going from a short haul intrastate trucking company to a long haul interstate trucking company. All this was accomplished in five years. This experience was hard to endure, but forced Kottke Trucking to diversify its company to new areas and commodities. This situation has helped us understand the value of our customers.

1995: Kottke Trucking is a Minnesota based contract carrier with 48-state authority. Our office, terminal and maintenance garage is located in Buffalo Lake, MN. Kottke Trucking operates a fleet of late model equipment, which includes 35 tractors, and 40 company owned refrigerated trailers.

1996: Kottke Trucking has entered its third generation with Kurt, Kory, and Kyle purchasing the company from Duane. The company's standards and operations continue the same.

1998: A company of 45 tractors and 55 reefers continues to grow modestly. Main and only terminal remains in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. "Service is our Specialty," a motto from our Grandfather, still stands strong.

2008: We continue our slow and directed pace of growth. We currently operate 65 tractors and 95 trailers for our customers delight. Current ownership remains unchanged. Buffalo Lake, MN remains our only terminal.