Air-Land Transport Service, 1020 W. Birchwood St. Morton, IL 61550 | 309.263.2899

News

Camp Hope

Camp Hope Foundation’s mission is to serve those affected by cancer, blood diseases, and other catastrophic illnesses with free, in-person, and medically safe camps and other support programs. These programs are designed to help heal the emotional wounds caused by these diseases with activities and resources that build friendships, community, and confidence. Air-Land Transport Service continues to support Camp Hope in it’s mission to serve others.Camp Hope

SmartWay 2025

Air-Land Transport Service Renews with the U.S. EPA SmartWay® Transport Partnership

Morton, IL – Air-Land Transport Service today announced that it has submitted and received approval for their current data submission to the SmartWay® Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry. The SmartWay Transport Partnership provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of goods movement supply chains.

Air-Land will continue to contribute to the Partnership’s savings of 397 million barrels of oil and 170 million metric tons of CO2. This is the equivalent of the annual electricity use in 26 million homes. By joining SmartWay Transport Partnership, Air-Land  demonstrates its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.

Developed jointly in early 2003 by EPA and Charter Partners represented by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, American Trucking Associations, and Business for Social Responsibility, this innovative program celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2014. Partners rely upon SmartWay tools and approaches to track and reduce emissions and fuel use from goods movement. The Partnership currently has nearly 4,000 Partners including shipper, logistics companies, truck, rail, barge, and multimodal carriers.

For information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership visit www.epa.gov/smartway.

45 Years Serving Our Customers

The roots of Air-Land Transport Service, Inc. go back more than 80 years ago when Speedy Delivery Service was founded by John R. Gray, Sr.   Speedy Delivery Service began in 1945, delivering to the grocery, printing, and retail industries. 
To meet customers’ growing transportation needs, the focus shifted towards the truckload industry.  In 1980, Air-Land Transport Service, Inc. founded by John R. Gray, Jr. (Corkey), embraced principles upon which Speedy Delivery Service was built encompassing total customer satisfaction.  In March 2025, Air-Land Transport Service, Inc. celebrated 45 years in the truckload transportation business. 
As of January 1, 2020, the business is owned and operated by Gary Christopher and Michele Kauffman, two long-term employees who have partnered to keep Air-Land strong. Gary has been with the company for 37 years and oversees the operations.   Michele has been with Air-Land for 29 years and oversees the finance side of things.  Together with their dedicated staff, they continue to provide customers with top-notch service. 
The company continues with the same values, commitment, and integrity that John R. Gray, Sr. and John R. Gray, Jr. instilled in all of us.

19th Year for Air-land & Gary Christopher supporting St. Jude

St. Jude RunsOver the week of July 29th 2025, Gary Christopher, will participate in the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run. This is the 19th year that Gary has supported St. Jude. Air-Land Transport Service continues to be a proud sponsor of St. Jude for the 2025 run. About 200 runners cover 465 miles in 4 days running from Memphis, TN to Peoria, IL. At the same time, groups of other runners from all over Illinois run to Peoria from 36 other locations. On that Saturday, tired and exhausted, they meet in Peoria and cross the finish line August 2nd live on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Regional Telethon.

St. Jude Run

Air-land Purchases New Wabash Trailers.

Starting in Jan 2017 Air-Land began upgrading its extensive fleet of trailers.  Air-land has purchased 70 new Wabash trailers that the company will be taking delivery of approximately 15 per month for the next several months.

air-land-trailers

Air-Land Transport Service, Inc. earns recognition as a John Deere “Partner-level Supplier” and “Hall of Fame Supplier”

Morton, IL – Air-Land Transport Service, Inc. has earned recognition as a Partner-level supplier for 2013 and was inducted into the Supplier Hall of Fame in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. Hall of Fame status is given after a supplier attains a Partner-level rating for five consecutive years. The Partner-level status is Deere & Company’s highest supplier rating. The Morton, IL based company was selected for the honor in recognition of its dedication to providing products and service of outstanding quality as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. John R. Gray, Owner and CEO and Gary Christopher, General Manager, accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held on February 18th in Davenport, IA.

Air-Land Transport Service, Inc. is a supplier of transportation services to John Deere’s operation in East Moline, IL.

Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and wavelength, which is a measure of responsiveness. John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.