Peoria Disposal Company (PDC) was founded by John Coulter in 1923. By 1980, PDC had grown from a one-man garbage collection operation into a large solid waste disposal company. In 1983, John Coulter’s grandson Royal Coulter became the third generation of Coulters to lead the company. Under Royal’s guidance, PDC realized rapid growth with the acquisition of AREA Disposal Service. From 1987 to 1992, PDC acquired nearly 30 companies located in central Illinois consisting of four landfills, 200 trucks, 100 pieces of heavy construction equipment, a non-hazardous liquid waste treatment plant, four recycling and processing centers, and one RCRA hazardous waste stabilization facility. By 2012, the company had evolved into Coulter Companies, Inc. composed of 17 different companies with over 500 employees.
A 1934 Heavy Duty Ford Pickup truck now welcomes employees and visitors as they drive into the PDC Transportation facility on Swords Avenue in West Peoria. Company President Royal Coulter is using the classic work truck to honor his grandfather when PDC was established in 1928. A small building was constructed with massive windows to protect the vehicle.
