For decades, Bdr Transport has been a cornerstone of the trucking industry in Westminster, Vermont, providing reliable expedited cross-country services between New England and California. The company, a full-service contract carrier, recently transitioned ownership, marking a new chapter in its rich history that spans generations. Originally sold to American West Worldwide Express, BDR Transport faced an unexpected shutdown before local intervention ensured its legacy would continue.
The story of BDR Transport is deeply rooted in Vermont’s local business landscape. Cousins Greg and Doug Gay, the third-generation co-owners since 2003, recently finalized the sale of the company, but the Gay family’s involvement in transportation stretches back much further. “We are the fourth generation in the transportation business, and third generation of trucking company owners,” Greg Gay explained. The roots trace back to their great-grandfather, a veterinarian who initiated a freight delivery side business using horse and buggy – a humble beginning that laid the foundation for what would become BDR Transport.
BDR Transport trucks lined up at their Westminster, Vermont terminal, showcasing the company's fleet before its transition to GMH Transportation.
The business evolved under their grandfather, who recognized the burgeoning potential of motorized transport and acquired the first trucks, renaming the operation RL Gay Transportation. Despite facing hardship during the Great Depression, the family’s strong reputation and operating authority allowed the company to persevere through different owners, eventually operating as “Gay’s Express” under the Holmes family. Interestingly, the Gay family’s connection to trucking remained steadfast, with Greg and Doug’s grandfather, father, and uncles all working for Dairy Transport, another trucking company with a Westminster terminal.
Gay’s Express further solidified its presence by constructing the terminal that BDR Transport currently utilizes, opening its doors in 1959. The Holmes family consolidated their trucking ventures in 1967, but the legacy at the Westminster terminal continued. In the early 1990s, Gilbert and Richard Gay, Greg and Doug’s fathers, purchased BDR Transport, bringing the company back under family ownership. Greg and Doug then took the reins in 2003, continuing to expand BDR Transport’s operations and solidifying its reputation for dependable cross-country trucking services.
However, 2022 brought significant change when Greg and Doug decided to sell BDR Transport to American West Worldwide Express. Doug’s retirement, primarily for health reasons, prompted the sale, with Greg agreeing to stay on to manage daily operations under the new ownership. The sale initially proceeded smoothly, but a sudden announcement in May of the following year sent shockwaves through the company and its workforce. American West declared the imminent closure of the Westminster terminal, instructing employees to complete current deliveries but cease further pickups.
This decision was met with considerable dismay by Greg and Doug, particularly due to the loyalty and long-term commitment of BDR Transport’s 28 employees, some of whom had dedicated decades to the company. Recognizing the potential disruption and job losses, swift action was required. In a remarkable turn of events, Greg initiated rapid negotiations with Gordon Eglintine, owner of GMH Transportation, another Westminster-based trucking company, and American West Worldwide. These discussions culminated in an agreement that ensured GMH Transportation would seamlessly take over BDR Transport’s routes and maintain continuous terminal operations.
Thanks to this proactive intervention, BDR Transport’s dedicated employees experienced no break in employment. “I’m so glad that our employees’ jobs were saved,” Doug Gay stated, emphasizing the value of their team. “They are simply the best at what they do and will continue to be great assets to GMH moving forward. We will always appreciate what they did for our company throughout the years.”
Currently, Greg Gay remains involved in overseeing specific aspects of the transition. As GMH Transportation possessed its own fleet of trucks and trailers, American West’s equipment remained unsold. Greg is now tasked with managing the sale of this equipment while operating from the same Westminster office, effectively bridging the transition as “BDR/GMH” and providing ongoing support to operations and customers. The story of BDR Transport serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of local businesses and the crucial role of community collaboration in preserving valuable services and employment within the transportation sector.
