A quarter of a century ago Dave and Robin Taydus purchased their first two buses; a moment that would lead to 25 years of a home-grown family business. This year, D&R Transportation celebrates its 25th anniversary. In those 25 years, the company has grown to 70 buses and 40 vans across three different locations.
“Well we were dairy farmers, and we needed a second income” Dave said.
“The one contractor at that point in time got a new route and needed a new driver. Then, she [Robin] started driving for Deckers in Russel.”
“Then it came upon us that a couple that owned two busses in Spartansburg were moving out, and they wanted to sell their business,” Robin said. “So we purchased that, and that’s how we started with the two busses for D&R Transportation.”
The company’s first location was at their home in Pittsfield, where they operated with their two buses for almost 15 years. After they purchased three more buses, they bought the garage in Corry, located on West Smith Street.
“In 2013, we purchased this garage (Corry) from Dan Mercer,” Robin said.
Dave added, “When we got three more buses is when our daughter became involved, and then, of course as the kids grew up, they were coming along little by little, and as we were growing, we had to expand too.”
Since the involvement of their daughter Natalie Lucks, who is currently the manager at their Pittsfield office, the company has grown into a full family business.
“We take some pride in the fact that it has continued to be a family business and that our kids are interested in working into it; not necessarily right now, but down the road because they have kids in school,” Robin said.
When speaking on their current employees,” Robin said, “Our people that work for us are super. We have great management, great mechanics and great clerical workers.”
Dave added, “We treat them as a family and as a team.”
Dave and Robin understand the importance of being a tight-knit family business, and what they can do for the community.
“Well I think a family business takes a little more pride in their vehicles and in their employees versus a large company who isn’t even around to see the operation, they might be from out of state even,” Robin said.
“I think it’s important, and I feel the school district has a lot of trust in us and we try to accommodate them as to what their needs are.”
The appreciation that the school district has for D&R Transportation was shown in a recent school board meeting, when Superintendent Sheri Yetzer spoke on the district’s relationship with the company.
”We’re very fortunate to partner with D&R,” Yetzer said.
Obviously, D&R’s growth and success has been great to watch from an outside source in the community, but it’s even better for someone who has seen it up close. Lyn Wittmer is the office manager for D&R’s Corry Garage, and he has been with the company for 12 years. Wittmer stepped into his current position when the Corry garage was purchased in 2013.
“It’s pretty exciting to watch them from where they started to where they’re at now,” Wittmer said.
Now that 25 years are down, D&R looks toward its next big milestone. Dave said he’s looking forward to whatever the future may hold.
“As opportunities come along, we will make sure to capitalize,” he said.
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