The trend is the Internet, especially the part called the World Wide Web, where businesses, universities and even individuals provide information about themselves.

Steve Gale, president of J.R. Christoni Trucking Co., joined the Web several weeks ago. He believes his trucking firm is the first in the state to take a drive on the Internet, and he thinks it will prove a profitable road to follow.

The Internet has become the electronic yellow pages of a phone book. People are now looking to the Web for service Gale first became informally involved with the Web about three years ago when he logged on to the Internet from his computer at home. Unfamiliar with the Web, he experimented with its services.

As Gale became familiar with the Web, he noticed more and more services advertising themselves. After a little further investigation, he decided to join the list of companies already on-line.

Gale contacted Innovative Internet Marketing Solutions, a Wallingford company for advice and help in developing a site on the Web. Now, three months later, J.R. Christoni Trucking can be found with its own pages and e-mail address.

The company has several pages available on the Net. Included is a brief paragraph on its history, services and equipment.

Christoni has also included photographs of the trucks available, along with a guest book for those interested.

The company offers services to those with heavy loads, such as structural steel, building products, concrete and machinery.

While those in other industries, such as newspapers are unsure if the Internet will increase profits, Gale seems confident for the long term.

It is difficult to say how successful this investment will be early on, but I am sure it will show improvement. The Net has made such a tremendous impression on us that I would be worried if I worked at the post office, because they may be out of a job soon," Gale said.

The American Trucking Association, in Alexandria, Va., says the idea of marketing on the Internet is spreading, especially on the coasts.

"Trucking companies joining the Internet is not unusual in the West and along the East Coast, but it is less common in the South," said association spokeswoman Victoria Wells.

Although she did not offer exact figures, Wells said the Web has increased profits for many of those companies.

"I believe I made the right choice here." Gale said.

Middletown Press - Wednesday, May 8, 1996, By Melissa Fox, Record-Journal Staff