OUR TIMELINE. YOUR LIFELINE.
1860s

HORSE-DRAWN BEGINNINGS

Bylenga Brothers’ Endeavor
In 1916, the first generation of the current owners’ lineage purchased the Star Baggage Company. Brothers Harry, Peter and Andrew Bylenga bought the budding freight-handling business using money borrowed from their mother and immediately changed the name to Star Transfer Line. The company is now in its fifth generation.
1916
1919

The Move to Motorized

New Space, Added Services
1927
1928

Fire and the End of Horse Power
In September 1928, 20 horses perished in a tragic fire at the Star Transfer Line stables on Grant Street. The fire ended the company’s use of horses for hauling freight, as well as the city’s. Star Transfer Line was the last remaining company to use horse teaming for cargo transportation in Grand Rapids, Mich. Other public liveries were closed about decade earlier.

MI Largest Intrastate Carrier
1930s
1934

Winning Spartan Stores

Nation’s Top Common Carrier
By 1939, Star Transfer Line had grown the Interstate Motor Freight System to become the nation’s top common carrier. It also had the largest route mileage in the industry, covering more than 1 million miles weekly.
1939
1943

Selling Interstate Motor Freight
The massive growth and success of the Bylenga brothers’ enterprises eventually led to the Interstate Commerce Commission ordering them to reduce their control over these companies on the grounds there was too much trucking power in the hands of one family. So, in 1943, Star Transfer Line sold the Interstate Motor Freight System, and Harry Bylenga resigned as Interstate’s president and chairman.
1945

Steel Transportation Boon

Push to Truck Rentals and Leasing
Prior to World War II, leasing in the U.S. trucking industry was almost nonexistent. However, postwar development in America soon revealed leasing and rental were trucking’s wave of the future. In 1946, Star Transfer Line rented its first trucks and changed its name to Star Truck Rentals Incorporated.
1946
1958

Industry-Leading Corporate Office

First Michigan Member Among NationaLease
1960
2000s

Market Expansion Across MI and IN
Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and the early 2000s, Star Truck Rentals expanded its market by opening more branch facilities throughout Michigan. See our complete listing of locations.

Al Kessel Outstanding Achievement Award Winner
2016
Today

Leading Truck Leasing Company in MI
Presently, Star Truck Rentals is principally engaged in the long-term lease, short-term rental and fleet maintenance of light and heavy-duty, over-the-road trucks. With over 1,000 commercial accounts, which include several Fortune 500 companies, Star Truck Rentals is the largest full-service truck rental and leasing company based in Michigan.