CRST Founder Herald Smith Dies at 91; Iowa-Based Fleet Is One of Largest in US
Herald Smith, the founder of CRST International, died July 27 at his summer home in Wisconsin at age 91 after a brief illness.
CRST — originally Cedar Rapids Steel Transport — now ranks No. 25 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers, offering shippers a diverse menu of services. The company’s annual revenue topped $1.35 billion in 2014.
Smith, or “Smitty” to his friends, founded the company in 1955 — 60 years ago — with his wife Miriam. He ran the business out of a former chicken coop and got his initial capital by borrowing $1,000 from his father for three months.
The company is still controlled by the Smith family, with Herald and Miriam’s son John serving as chairman of the board.
Smith was a notable industry figure, both for the state and the nation, said Brenda Neville, CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck Association.
“His passion and love for the industry was always very evident,” Neville said. “Not only has he done great things for Iowa’s trucking industry and the Iowa Motor Truck Association, but he was also a valued and respected community leader in Cedar Rapids.”
“The story of CRST is one of those great trucking stories that show that hard work, perseverance and unwavering commitment to your goals really does pay off. Herald exemplified everything good about trucking in Iowa.” Smith’s main residence remained in Cedar Rapids.
“We were all saddened to learn of Herald’s passing. He was a trailblazer and a leader in this industry, and he will be missed. Our condolences go out to his family, particularly his son John, and the entire CRST family,” said Bill Graves, president of American Trucking Associations.
CRST’s significance as an employer extends into state politics. Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett is a former vice president of the company, and Kraig Paulsen, speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives, also is a CRST attorney.
Smith’s insight for starting the company during the time of industry regulation by the Interstate Commerce Commission was recognizing a need for hauling livestock from Iowa to Chicago and then steel back to Cedar Rapids using owner-operators.
Now the company’s services include expedited team delivery, dry vans, flatbeds, dedicated contract carriage, temperature-controlled shipping, intermodal and transportation management.
CRST has 5,129 employees and 1,684 company tractors. It also has access to 2,710 owner-operator or lease-to-own tractors.
Smith was active in industry affairs, serving as chairman of the Iowa Motor Truck Association in 1979. And in 1981, he was chairman of the Common Carrier Conference-Irregular Route, a predecessor of the Truckload Carriers Association.
Around the time of industry deregulation in 1980, Herald Smith began the transition of power at CRST to his son John. In 1977, Herald became chairman only and passed the president’s title to John. In 1983, he retired as chairman, elevating John to that post, as well.
John Smith said that his father taught him, “When you get into business, things aren’t always going to go right, so you have to be persistent.”
“He was an icon in the transportation business,” CRST’s current CEO, Dave Rusch, said of Herald Smith.
“He dealt with adversity after the industry was deregulated in 1980. He was a very good man, a born entrepreneur and philanthropist. He will be missed by many,” Rusch added.
In addition to his widow, Miriam, and son John, Herald Smith is survived by two daughters, Sharon Smith Konchar and Sue Smith-Johnson; another son, Jim; and numerous grandchildren, including Ian Smith, who has been working at CRST since September.
