A half century of success: Alaska Traffic Co, celebrates 50 years of serving Alaskans.

• Author: Martin, Gary L.

Turning 50 isn't so bad, and if you are a company-it is great. In today's highly competitive business environment, not many companies have that kind of longevity.

It takes something special to survive as a successful freight forwarder and consolidator for a half century, and Alaska Traffic Co. has it.

Last year, it came under new ownership for the third time." One of the deciding factors for us in purchasing the company (February 2005) was its reputation, which was excellent," said Tom Herche, the new owner. "Knowing the previous owner, John Bloomquist, we know he had pretty much the same values that we have. So it just seemed like Alaska Traffic was a good fit. Plus, we also ship a lot of freight to Alaska."

HISTORY

Although Alaska Traffic was privately owned for 50 years, it was purchased by United Warehouse Co. in Seattle and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation.

Herche is also the president of United Warehouse Co. He purchased Alaska Traffic from Bloomquist, who started working for the company in 1969, before buying it on April 1, 1986. He bought the company from its founder, Bill Stanley. Stanley, who is now deceased, started Alaska Traffic on May 1, 1956.

"One of the biggest changes I saw over the years was diversification of the commodities that companies shipped," said Bloomquist. "Back then, because of the tariff situation, companies specialized in what they shipped; we were primarily concerned with groceries. So, I guess diversification of merchandise shipped by a single company is the biggest thing that has changed over the years."

MEMORIES

After being in the business for more than 30 years, Bloomquist has had many experiences involving products that his company has shipped over the years. One that he still has vivid visions of involved a shipment of deli meats.

He said, "Years ago we had a customer in Fairbanks with a lunch counter in his store. The deli meat arrived late one afternoon and the store manager decided to not check the items into inventory until the next morning.

"Being 30 degrees below zero, it was no problem storing the meat on his roof overnight. Unfortunately, the next morning, as the store manager drove to work, he realized that there was a problem. For miles around, all the ravens were...