Cowan Systems was founded in 1994 by Joseph W. Cowan as a new operating entity, but has origins dating back over 78 years. In 1924, Joseph Cowan's father established a trucking entity named W.T. Cowan, Inc. which provided less than truckload service throughout the middle Atlantic states. As deregulation occurred within the trucking industry, W.T. Cowan, Inc. was transformed into an irregular route truckload carrier. By 1994, the company focused it's service into a specialized truckload carrier whose primary mission is dedicated fleet operations. By 2002, the company's fleet has grown to 750 power units and 1500 trailers.