A LEGACY OF DRIVE

ABOUT HINES TRUCKING

In 1936, Prescott, Arkansas was a sleepy lumber mill town where everybody knew everybody. Mr. J.D. Hines, a man who loved his family and his community, saw that no one could haul the logs, lumber, and gravel the area had to offer. Hines Trucking, then, was born from Mr. J.D.’s response to a community need. “My father understood what this area had to offer, and he wanted to create more jobs for people in Prescott in the surrounding area,” Billy Hines, Mr. J.D.’s son, said. “He was deeply invested in people, and he wanted to see the mill industry and the trucking industry thrive.”

In 1969, J.D. partnered with his son, Billy Hines, who had returned from college. Billy became the main mechanic, the tire repair guy, and the manager. Father and son continued to haul gravel and eventually added additional equipment to their fleet. “I always knew I would come home to work for and with my father,” Billy said. “He built this incredible company culture from the start. It always felt like family. When I returned home from college, I felt like I was returning to my family here at the trucking company.”

In 1976, the partnership was incorporated into J.D. & Billy Hines Trucking, Inc. Shortly after in 1979, HTI was awarded its first chip hauling contract. Because of their follow-through and superior customer service, many more contracts followed. The chip-haul/short-haul division quickly grew to 140 trucks and served southeast Oklahoma, northeast Texas, south Arkansas, and north Louisiana. “It really is a testament to our people and to the power of keeping our word,” Billy said. “Our clients have always come first, which is why we started offering chip hauling in the first place.”

In 1983, a growing HTI joined the Arkansas Trucking Association and expanded even further with the addition of a long haul division. That same year, Billy Hines acquired the company from his father and became President and CEO. “It was a bittersweet moment, a moment with a lot of gravity and responsibility,” Billy said. “I knew that I had to honor this incredible legacy my father had built.” When M. J.D. passed away in 1986, Billy felt even more responsibility to grow Hines and serve its people. “Every day, I ask myself if the business decisions we’re making would make my dad proud. I’m here to carry out what he started.” The company added flatbed trailers, refrigerated trailers, and dry vans before selling the division in November of 1990.

Due to their continued growth, Hines was quickly outgrowing their tiny downtown Prescott facilities, including the old pickle factory that once housed the HTI mechanic shop. Relief came in 1987, when the entire operation moved to a new multi-building campus with ample room for offices, shop, and parking. It was Hines’ first large facility and would set the tone for continued growth and an ever-reaching legacy.

In 1989, Hines became an early adopter of the single tire system for chip trucks, an innovative modification that reduces tire weight and allows around 2 additional tons of material to be carried in a single load, providing gain for both the client and the environment. “We knew we had to stay up-to-date on innovations in trucking,” Billy said. “It’s helped our company grow and serve more clients with our increased capabilities.”

In an effort to drive innovation and growth, Hines Fiber Recovery and Processing was founded in 1995 to process wood waste produced during manufacturing processes into recyclable materials and marketable products. “We know the lumber industry, and we love the people in it,” Billy said. “We love helping make our communities more sustainable by providing processing services.”

Between August 2005 and October 2007, Hines trucking operations saw considerable growth with the acquisition of Winnifield, a Louisiana-based chip hauling company which expanded the HTI chip haul fleet by 11 trucks. Additionally, Hines established two new divisions: flatbed and log hauling. This was such an exciting time for Hines. It was defined by intentional expansion for our people,” Mr. Billy said.

Billy Hines was featured in the April 2008 cover story of the Arkansas Trucking Report and named Best Trucking Company 2008 and 2009 in the Arkansas Business Best of Business Awards. “It’s an honor to see your company be listed as one of the best in the industry,” Billy said. “At the end of the day, our people have made and continue to make us the best.”

In 2012, Walter McGill, who has driven for Hines since 1979, exceeded the mark of four million safe miles driven. Fourteen of our drivers are in the “Million Mile Club” today, with a total of 25 millions safe driving miles. “Walter inspires us all,” Billy said. “He’s an embodiment of the Hines value system, and we think he’s set an incredible example for us all.”

In a continued season of expansion, Hines Trucking acquired the chip haul division of Harvest Haul, Inc. of Magnolia, Mississippi in 2012. Shortly after, in 2014, HTI moved to the Old Fernwood Industrial Park with adequate office and maintenance space. “Reflecting on all this growth only makes me–and our entire executive team–more thankful for the family environment and legacy of trust here at Hines.” The company still operates from this campus today with the addition of more than 50 offices, truck yards, and maintenance facilities throughout the Southeast.

During the November 4-6, 2021 NASTC Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, HTI’s Dofort Harris was named to the 2021-2022 Driver of the Year Team. “Dofort is an exemplary driver, and we’re so thankful he is part of the Hines family,” Billy said. “As we continue to grow our legacy, we hope to empower and equip the next generation of standout drivers.” You can meet and learn more about Dofort here.

Today, Hines stays true to Mr. J.D.’s legacy, all while training and empowering the next generation of driven excellence. We’re dedicated to being the safest, most reliable trucking company in the region, and we’re passionate about providing our people with the resources and training they need to grow successful careers. We’ve come a long way since 1936, and we have miles to go yet. Our hope for the next leg of the journey? That Hines’s hindsight will allow us to forge a better future for all who interact with us.