Randall Reilly

Origins

Randall-Reilly was started in 1934 by Henry Pettus Randall Jr. It was launched as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, a recognition program that is still operating. In 1975 Award Company of America was founded, and the following year H. Pettus Randall III took over as president for his father.

Publishing Properties & Acquisitions

Randall-Reilly purchased Overdrive magazine, a trucking publication for owner-operators, in 1986. The company then launched Equipment World magazine in 1989. In 1996, the company began launching online versions of their publications. In the same year, Randall-Reilly launched Northbrook Publishing, a custom corporate magazine publisher in New Berlin, Wisconsin. In 1999, after a contract win for publishing rights, Truckers News began to be published by Randall-Reilly. It was fully acquired from NATSO in 2003. In 2012, Truckers News was closed. It is no longer published. Also in 1999, Modern Woodworking magazine, founded in 1987) was purchased. The publication was shut down in 2008. In 2001, Commercial Carrier Journal magazine, founded in 1911, was purchased. Owner-Operator/Company Driver magazine was launched in 2004 along with Changing Lanes, Trucker Pages, and Top Driving Jobs, for truck driver recruitment.

In 2005, the Spanish-language trucking magazine, Transportista was launched. The company ceased publication of Transportista in 2008. In 2006, NextTruck, a bi-monthly publication listing pre-owned trucks and trailers, was launched in partnership with TAP Publishing, based in Crossville, Tennessee. It moved to an online-only version in 2011 and the ownership fully moved to TAP Publishing. In 2007, the construction magazines, Better Roads and Aggregates Manager were purchased. That same year, two trucking publications were acquired, Truck Parts & Service, and Successful Dealer, and a new trucking publication was launched, Custom Rigs. As of 2012, Successful Dealer is only published online, and Custom Rigs is no longer published as a separate magazine. In 2012, the company's three trucking magazines that reached the truck driver market, Overdrive, Truckers News, and Custom Rigs were consolidated under the Overdrive brand.

Randall-Reilly supports Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual tribute to the nation’s fallen veterans. The organization’s weeklong wreath-laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery lays wreaths on the graves of more than 300,000 veterans and culminates a week of tributes at more than 700 military cemeteries across North America. Truckers play a large part in the program, and this year 46 trucking companies delivered 325,000 wreaths to the cemeteries.

Other Acquisitions & Product Launches

In 1990, Motor Media was purchased, an indoor signage network at truck stops. In 1998, Equipment Data Associates was purchased. EDA mines UCC-1 filings in construction, trucking, and other industries. Truckstops Express was also founded in 1998 as a delivery service for publications and products to truck stops and travel centers. In 1999, The Great American Trucking Show was launched. From 2006 to 2007, the company hosted America's Traveling Truck Show. In 2007, the trucking trade show, Truck Show Las Vegas was purchased. The name was changed to The Great West Truck Show the same year.

In 2009, eVision Marketing was acquired. Their online driver recruiting networks were intended to compliment the print publications specifically for driver recruitment. The Charlotte Diesel Super Show was launched in 2010.

Reorganization & Alignment

In 2012, the company rebranded and changed the alignment of its sales departments into 3 industry verticals, Trucking Media, Recruiting Media, and Construction Media. The original acquisition of eVision Marketing grew into a digital services department to manage online advertising campaigns for clients. From 2010 to 2013, the company launched several new online advertising products such as email newsletters, banner ads, and various online targeting platforms.

Also, during that time period, EDA, the data division based in Charlotte, NC was integrated into the operations of the headquarters in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. With the reorganization and integration of the data products, the majority of revenue for the company changed from print to data and digital services. Increases in truck driver shortages contributed to the expansion of recruiting services and products, primarily digital products.

Randall-Reilly supports Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual tribute to the nation’s fallen veterans. The organization’s weeklong wreath-laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery lays wreaths on the graves of more than 300,000 veterans and culminates a week of tributes at more than 700 military cemeteries across North America. Truckers play a large part in the program, and this year 46 trucking companies delivered 325,000 wreaths to the cemeteries.

Corporate Management

In 1984 F. Michael Reilly assumed the role of president. In 2002 he became the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, following the death of H. Pettus Randall. In 2005, the company announced that it was selling to Wachovia Capital Partners and F. Michael Reilly. Then, in 2007, Investcorp announced that it had acquired the company. In 2011, Brent Reilly was named President.