1947 Kenneth Goddard and J. Gilbert Dobson founded Dobson Heavy Haul in Bay City. 1948 Dobson Heavy Haul becomes a charter member of the Specialized Carrier & Rigging Association. 1950's The company expands its capabilities with heavy duty trucking in the Midwest. It also begins manufacturing its own custom heavy-duty trailers. 1957 Dobson hauls 41,000 miles of cable to Mackinac. This cable was used to produce the huge cables supporting the center span of the Mackinac Bridge. 1958 Dobson Heavy Haul becomes the first hauler in history to be given a permit to carry an oversized load over the Mackinac Bridge. The bridge was temporarily closed when the load was taken across. 1959 Company wins the contract for rigging and steel hanging on virtually all the buildings at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. 1965 In response to customer requests, Dobson Heavy Haul adds steel erection division. 1965 Company moves to new headquarters at 3660 N. Euclid, Bay City. New facilities include a rail site and expanded storage and fabrication areas. 1969 With the purchase of VanHaaren Trucking, the nation's oldest registered trucking firm, Dobson expands heavy trucking capabilities to include the entire U.S. 1972 Main office building expanded to handle increased business. 1975 Large specialized trucking terminal is opened in Detroit to handle the company's expanding Midwest business. 1980 Innovative safety programs started by Dobson Heavy Haul lead to a number of regional and national awards for safety. 1989 Company is awarded steel erection and rigging contract for the new physical education building, Ryder Center, at Saginaw Valley State University. 1994 Dobson Heavy Haul purchases Ponder Iron Works (Ponder Door Company) 1997 Dobson Heavy Haul celebrates 50 years of leadership in providing service to its Midwest commercial and industrial customers. 1999 Dobson Heavy Haul opens Wixom office to expand services in Metro Detroit area. 2002 Purchases additional "low profile" specialty cranes for in-plant maintenance work. Expands engineering and fabrication capabilities for the manufacturing of special, high-tolerance equipment. 2003 Changes company name to Dobson Industrial.