The upper edge: two generations of running Pacific Alaska Freightways keeps business lucrative in competitive market.

• Author: Komancheck, Wendy
• Position: Company overview

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pacific Alaska Freightways (PAF), Seattle Wash., known for 37 years as Pacific Alaska Forwarders, began in 1961. Rex Sears established the business and fight off hired Joe Smith to run it. It was obvious to Sears that Smith had the interest and talent to take PAF to great heights.

MAKING PAF CUSTOMER-DRIVEN

In 1993, Joe Smith bought PAF from Sears. Joe's sons, Alain, 52, is a majority stockholder; Norm, 51, is PAF's president; and Monty, 46, is the vice president and the manager of IT Operations. All three men started at PAF by working in the warehouse in their preteens and have, for the most part, stayed with the business throughout their lives.

Their familial bond contributes to the business, but Alain also credits faithful employees as a major reason behind the company's achievements.

"We're in it for the long haul," said Alain. "We've a group of dedicated long-term employees; these are the experts at what they do. We operate our business in one of the harshest environments in the world, and our folks are out in it, driving trucks, unloading flatbeds and delivering to customers everyday. That's dedication to customers!"

Alain praises his employees for their commitment to PAF, something many companies can't boast of.

"Their (employees') willingness to go the extra mile, to be flexible to our customers' needs and making sure Pacific Alaska Freightways does the best job possible at a reasonable rate, so that we can continue to grow, is what it's all about."

PAF has always been a privately owned company. According to its Web site www.pafak.com/aboutpaf.htm, "The company started out as a consolidation business for many of the wholesale plumbing and electrical suppliers in Alaska, utilizing the services of break-bulk barge and shipping companies of that era."

The company owns and staffs all of its terminals in Alaska and Washington, as well as operates its fleet of trucks and trailers in both locations. Since it doesn't lease its transportation fleets, this gives PAF a huge advantage over those that sub out their deliveries and depend on third-party agents.

PAF treats its clients with high regard. Currently, PAF offers airfreight, Alcan Highway trucking, as well as ship container, roll on/roll off (RO/RO) ship and rail barge services. And, PAF works with major national retail accounts, construction companies, oil and gas industry suppliers, and electrical and plumbing wholesale distributor shipping programs.

MODERN DAY...