Our Story

From humble beginnings to a full-service warehousing and fulfillment company

Learn about where we come from and what drives us.

THE HISTORY OF KNIGHT-SWIFT WAREHOUSING & FULFILLMENT

Our company has a rich history dating back to 1979 when Bob Hayes started Hayes Forest Products as a wholesale lumber brokerage business. Over the years, our operations expanded, and we began manufacturing cedar fencing, selling lumber, and building materials from a small distribution yard in 1980. In 1982, we further diversified our product line, manufacturing cedar lattice, planters, trellis, and garden edging from cedar and selling to local retailers. By 1984, we had established partnerships with major retailers like Walmart, Payless Cashways, Builders Square, and Sutherlands, and our operations continued to grow.

In the early 1990s, we expanded our sales to national accounts such as Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, and others, and in 1998, we established operations in China and Mexico to support the increasing demand for our lawn and garden products. In 2001, we opened a new 450,000 square ft manufacturing plant in Wichita, KS, and in 2007, we ventured into a new division of Hayes Retail Services. Our dedication to growth and expansion led us to open operations in Dallas, Texas, and other cities in 2010 to support our retail store consolidation efforts.

In 2020, Hayes Company was acquired by Knight-Swift Transportation, creating another business unit of Knight-Swift Warehousing and Fulfillment (KSWF). Currently, we have eight facilities located throughout Dallas and California. At Hayes/KSWF, our mission remains unwavering – to create a culture of excellence and innovation in everything we do. We are committed to promoting the well-being of our employees and customers, fostering a spirit of exploration and curiosity, and demonstrating respect and integrity in all of our interactions. We take ownership of our work and strive to deliver high-quality solutions that exceed expectations. We embrace agility and adaptability as we constantly seek to improve and stay ahead of the curve.

By upholding these values and principles, we aim to be a trusted and reliable partner for our customers, helping them achieve their goals and succeed in their respective industries. At Hayes/KSWF- W.E. R.O.Q. these values of Well-Being, Exploration, Respect, Ownership and Quality!”

We attribute our success to our team’s adaptability in expanding into new business models and the ability to cater to the specific needs of each client.