Phoenix USA, began as Cherokee Furniture Manufacturing Company in 1960 and operated for nearly a quarter century in the quiet country setting of Cookeville, Tennessee. Cherokee Furniture operated a fleet of 15 trailers and eight power rig units and equipped them with "hot-forged" aluminum wheels that were bought direct from Alcoa. This relationship with Alcoa, along with a strong interest and valuable experience in the transportation industry, led to the creation of Phoenix USA.