Overview About Northern Refrigerated Transportation

Northern Milk Lines was established in 1947 by Frank & Adeline Mello. The company started off with hauling milk cans and tankers from small dairies to the creameries.In 1962, Frank Mello passed away, leaving his wife Adeline in control of the company. Although Northern Milk Lines had only one customer, the company experienced periods of success. The struggle to survive continued for several years.In 1970, Adeline’s son, Rick, had a solution. He decided that if the company were to continue, they would need to diversify their business into the refrigerated foods market.Their first haul, with a borrowed refrigerated trailer, was from a frozen food company in Modesto, CA. Eventually, the company expanded to include hauling frozen vegetables, poultry and other chilled and frozen foods. During this time, Rick Mello and our future Vice President John Doidge were taking turns working in...