About Us & The Lester R. Summers Story

With more than 75 years in business, Summers Trucking is recognized as the premier oversize precast hauler in the Northeast. In addition to hauling oversize precast, Summers provides expertise in hauling modular buildings, custom façade systems, prefab steel, machinery, and specialty loads for NASA. The company’s specialty is parking garages, but our experience and wide range of trailer inventory provide the capability to haul any commodity requiring a special touch.

The employee-owned company has grown to include 70-plus company tractors and more than 400 specialty trailers. Summers Trucking continues to increase our fleet and hauling capabilities, and welcomes the opportunity to serve your truck transportation needs.

Lester R. Summers, Inc., known as Summers Trucking, was started by Lester R. Summers and Dorothy R. Summers in 1946. They operated the business from their home in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. The company initially hauled sand from Maryland to a concrete block and ready mix concrete plant in Ephrata. The trucks also hauled concrete blocks and related materials from Ephrata to local contractors. In 1954, the company moved to Garden Spot Road in Ephrata Township. Lester R. Summers was Company President.

Lester and Dorothy had two sons.  Lester Summers, Jr., also known as Sonny, began working for the company in 1953.  J. Harold Summers joined the family business after graduating from college in 1964. By the Mid 1960’s, the company began hauling precast concrete products and is now the “go-to” precast hauler on the East coast.

In 1977, Lester and Dorothy Summers sold the company to their sons, J. Harold Summers and Lester R. Summers, Jr.  Harold served as Company President until 2010, when he became Chairman of the Board. The brothers steadily increased the fleet as the need for their trucking services grew.

In 2008, the company was sold by Harold & Lester, Jr. to their children. Rebecca & John Summers, children of J. Harold Summers, and Ken Summers, son of Lester Summers, Jr.

In the spring of 2009, a long-term plan came to fruition when the company more than tripled the size of their terminal by expanding their outdoor storage area and built new office and garage buildings. The new buildings not only provide more space for the growing staff, but also include a state-of-the-art garage facility which allows their in-house technicians to keep the fleet maintained to their high company standards.

In 2010, Rebecca Summers was named President, and Kenny assumed the role of VP of Operations. John manages the sales team and focuses on expanding the reach of the company, looking to match Summers’ strengths with the unique needs of its ever-growing customer base.

How Do We Maintain the Quality

Michael Summers, the first full-time 4th generation family member in the business. Like family members before him, he has advanced from sweeping floors to Parts and Property Manager. Michael is currently working in our Dispatch department. Kenny’s brother-in-law, Shawn Rutt, with more than three decades of service, serves as Shipping Liaison and Coordinator.

World-class customer service is the keystone to the company’s success. While family is obvious in the company history, all employees are considered extended family. The loyalty at Summers Trucking is evident in the many long-term employees. Estimating Lead Paula Schrecengost and Human Resources Manager Stacey Reddig, share four decades with the Company, and are just a few reasons Summers can provide unparalleled service in the trucking industry. In a time when driver turnover rates are hitting record numbers, Summers is proud to say that nearly half of our drivers have been with the company 10 years or more.

Presently, Lester R Summers, Inc. hauls concrete products, steel, lumber, modular buildings, commercial windows, machinery and other building materials, as well as sand and stone.