History of Wayne B. Smith
From a 1955 Sawmill to a Trusted Mississippi River Terminal
The history of Wayne B. Smith, Inc. began in 1955, when our founder, Wayne B. Smith, moved from Memphis, Tennessee, to Louisiana, Missouri. Shortly after arriving, he purchased a local sawmill, laying the foundation for a business that would grow far beyond its original form.
As river commerce expanded and regional demand for materials increased, Wayne recognized the potential of the Mississippi River as a transportation and economic lifeline. In 1960, what started with milling soon evolved into a business built around the movement of materials, the river, and the needs of the surrounding communities.
Growth Along the Mississippi River
In 1964, Wayne expanded operations by adding a rock quarry west of Highway 79, enabling the company to offer crushed limestone and natural aggregates in addition to its river services. This diversification positioned the business to serve both local customers and regional commercial operations.
Throughout the decades that followed, Wayne continued to invest in the property, the riverfront, and the equipment needed to serve a growing range of industries. The barge terminal became a central part of operations, eventually supporting the loading and unloading of materials such as bauxite, clinker, urea, coal, potash, grain, clay, and more.
Today, the terminal remains a vital intermodal hub connecting barge, rail, and truck transportation for customers across the Midwest.
A Legacy That Began With a Sawmill
Family-Led for Generations
More than six decades after its founding, the company remains proudly family-owned and operated. With 36 employees, Wayne B. Smith has maintained the same hands-on approach, strong work ethic, and commitment to service that were present in its earliest days.
Wayne B. Smith, Inc.
Established April 15, 1960
Hex Stone, Inc.
Established August 24, 1978 - overseeing barge terminal operations
SSS, Inc.
Established 1961 - managing quarry and materials
Our current leadership ensures the business remains rooted in tradition while continuing to evolve with modern equipment, expanded services, and ongoing investment in the riverfront property.
Rooted in the River
Although the original sawmill is long gone, the river remains at the heart of the business. The Mississippi continues to shape Wayne B. Smith operations today just as it did in the 1950s by supporting barge traffic, intermodal materials handling, and the quarry operations that have become essential to the region.
What began as one man’s opportunity has grown into a multi-dimensional operation that still honors the values Wayne established: hard work, reliable service, and a deep connection to the Mississippi River.
Join the Legacy
If Wayne B. Smith sounds like a place for you, contact us for employment opportunities.
