ACHESON, Alberta – June 22, 2011 – Manitoulin Transport today celebrated the grand opening of its new 100,000 sq. ft. terminal in Acheson, Alberta. The terminal, which represents an important company investment in western Canada, will enable significantly more shipping capacity for Manitoulin Transport and provide its customers with access to a full suite of transportation services. "We’re thrilled to open this major new terminal in Acheson," said Gord Smith, president and chief executive officer, Manitoulin Transport. "This is the latest of a number of major investments Manitoulin Transport has made in recent years in western Canada and demonstrates our commitment to the region. Not only does this new terminal position Manitoulin for future growth in the west, we believe it also helps position Alberta businesses to become more competitive through improved connections across Canada and the rest of the world."

From left to right: Manitoulin Transport President and CEO, Gord Smith; Parkland County Mayor, Rod Shaigec; Manitoulin Group of Companies chair, Doug Smith

Manitoulin Transport’s two existing terminals in Edmonton have been consolidated into the new facility and all incumbent personnel have transferred to the new premises at 402-53114 Range Road 262, Acheson Industrial Area.

The new terminal is one of the largest transportation facilities in western Canada, with a terminal and garage building, including a large freezer and cooler area, situated on 30 acres of land. The extensive property enables over-dimensional shipments to be staged and maneuvered with ease. The cross-dock terminal has 80 dock doors enabling faster and more efficient loading and unloading of shipments. This investment will serve as a springboard for future developments, such as additional service coverage, in order to accommodate customers’ constantly evolving needs.

Attending the celebrations with Manitoulin Transport executives, local employees and customers, was guest of honour Parkland County Mayor Rod Shaigec and other local dignitaries. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by Manitoulin Transport president and CEO, Gord Smith, Manitoulin Group of Companies chair, Doug Smith, and Mayor Rod Shaigec.

"It is very gratifying to see private investment such as this in Alberta," said Luke Ouellette, Alberta transportation minister, commenting on the event. "Clearly, Manitoulin Transport recognizes the business opportunities and potential for growth in the region and is positioning itself to serve its customers as they grow."

"We are delighted to welcome Manitoulin Transport to Parkland County and commend the decision to invest here," said Mayor Shaigec. "Having access to a reliable, quality carrier, such as Manitoulin Transport and its extensive global network, is essential to local businesses and the future economic growth of the area. We believe this new terminal will significantly benefit the region."

Customers of Manitoulin Transport also have access to the full range of services of The Manitoulin Group of Companies, Canada’s largest transportation management provider with the most extensive network in Canada. Services include logistics, international freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution, customs brokerage solutions and supply chain management.

"We’re not simply opening the doors to a new terminal today," said Gord Smith. "We’re opening the doors to a one-stop-shop for streamlined, efficient and worry-free shipping."

Mississauga, Ontario – April 19, 2011 – Manitoulin Transport today announced it has acquired the Less-than-Truckload (LTL) business of Penner International Inc., based in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Penner International has made the decision to focus on its Truckload business and has concluded an agreement with Manitoulin Transport to purchase its LTL book of business.

The LTL business segment operates through seven terminals: Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Surrey in Canada, and Minneapolis, Minn. and Fargo, N.D. in the United States. The primary consolidation points are Winnipeg and Minneapolis. The additional freight to and from the U.S. will allow Manitoulin to provide direct service coverage between Minneapolis and Winnipeg, improving service times to all of Western Canada.

Mississauga, Ontario – March 16, 2011 – Manitoulin Transport today announced it has acquired Exalta Transport Corp., based in Medicine Hat, Alberta, to further strengthen its reach in Western Canada. Exalta Transport is a regional carrier serving hundreds of communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan through a network of seven terminals and more than 300 pieces of company-owned equipment.

“The acquisition of Exalta Transport demonstrates our commitment to our customers and prospects in Western Canada as we continue to expand our western reach and press forward with our goal of complete transportation coverage throughout the country,” said Gord Smith, president, Manitoulin Group of Companies. “Our expansion into Saskatchewan and Southern Alberta will provide direct service coverage and a uniform level of service across the Manitoulin network. As well, we can better partner with businesses as they grow by accessing Manitoulin Group of Companies’ local and global services, including ground transportation, international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, supply chain management and logistics.”

Exalta Transport provides scheduled general freight service between terminals in Regina and Saskatoon, and among terminals in Brooks, Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and other locations throughout Alberta. It also provides a through service between points in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and a truckload division between points in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Manitoulin Transport aims to make the acquisition of Exalta Transport Corp. transparent to its customers. John Finn, Exalta Transport Corp.’s former owner will stay on briefly in a consulting capacity to ensure a seamless handover.

“Exalta Transport is a natural fit for Manitoulin Transport,” said Smith, “not only for its strategic locations, assets and regional experience, but because of our shared culture of customer service, dedication to growth and continuous improvement.”

Exalta Transport
www.exaltatransport.com

Manitoulin Transport Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 2010

Manitoulin Transport today announced it celebrates its 50th anniversary of operations in Canada this summer. 

Founded in 1960 by Doug Smith, now chair, The Manitoulin Group of Companies, Manitoulin Transport is a privately held, family-owned company that has experienced considerable growth since its inception in Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, 50 years ago.

“This year we’re celebrating a true Canadian success story,” said Gord Smith, president, Manitoulin Transport.  “A story created from the ground up, driven by customer commitment and achieved through the dedication of our people.”

Manitoulin Transport had only a couple of vehicles when it started out, initially carrying freight to various points on Manitoulin Island. It quickly set about growing the business and earning a good share of the market by providing a level of service and a suite of offerings that would set the standard in the industry.

Over the years, Manitoulin Transport has evolved purposefully to keep pace with a changing global marketplace, meet customers’ current and anticipated needs and to consistently provide superior value.  A number of strategic acquisitions has spurred its growth and its ability to partner with customers to extend their businesses across Canada, the United States and around the world. Today it’s proud to be an industry-leading, global transportation provider.

“This is a time for reflection on where we’ve been and where we plan to go,” said Gord Smith. “We’re always looking for ways to do better and do more, and that’s something we hope to do for another 50 years.”

Mississauga, Ontario – August 1, 2008 – Manitoulin Group of Companies today announced a strategic partnership with Expedite Plus, a specialized service provider for the movement of highly time-critical shipments across the globe.

“Today’s intensely competitive landscape places our customers under increasing pressure to send and receive shipments as quickly as possible, anywhere in the world, at any time of the day or night, and often at a moment’s notice,” said Rolando Meo, vice-president sales and marketing, Manitoulin Transport. “Through this service, businesses will be able to reduce the cost of downtime caused by delays in getting critical products or parts on time. Our partnership with Expedite Plus, a twenty-five-year veteran of the expedited shipping industry, augments our own capabilities in this critical area and demonstrates our on-going commitment to providing our customers’ with a single one stop shop solution.”

Expedite Plus operates 24/7/365 days a year, with a complete range of time-critical delivery services to meet the most stringent customer requirements. Its expedited solutions cater to any size or weight of shipment and are enabled by a network of agents, carriers and partners worldwide. Services encompass: On Board Courier, secured, personalized pick-up and delivery for shipments around the globe within 24 hours; Air Expedite – a next-flight-out delivery service from the shipper’s city and a chartered air service which provides a dedicated aircraft; and Ground Expedite, provides dedicated vehicle and driver.

“We’re delighted to join forces with Manitoulin Group of Companies,” said Victor J. Deschenes, president and chief executive officer, Expedite Plus. “We believe our experience and expertise in the expedited shipping industry, combined with their breadth of service portfolio and reach, will give customers a significant competitive advantage moving forward.”

Expedite Plus
www.expediteplus.com
1.800.387.7828
sales@expediteplus.com

Manitoulin Transport Does 2nd Ribbon Cutting for North Western Canada


Mississauga, Ontario – May 22, 2008 – Manitoulin Transport today officially launched a strategic new site in Hay River, North West Territories (N.W.T.). The new multi-purpose terminal is the second to be launched by Manitoulin Transport this month in order to further strengthen its presence and reach in North Western Canada. The new terminal provides a much-needed and convenient hub for local businesses and industries in the region, which now have access to an array of services, including ground transportation, international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, supply chain management and logistics.

The official launch got underway today with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by senior Manitoulin Transport representatives; the deputy mayor of Hay River, Mike Maher; city councilors, local employees; and Manitoulin Transport customers from the region.

Prior to building its own facility, Manitoulin Transport, through its wholly owned subsidiary Northwest Transport Ltd, provided services in the region through a local agent. “We’re very pleased to have Manitoulin Transport open a local depot in Hay River,” said Randy Williams purchasing agent, Northwest Territories Power Corporation. “Their experience and ability to provide multi-faceted transportation services can only benefit us and enhance our excellent working relationship with the company. Also, as Hay River is a small community, it’s always reassuring to be dealing with a familiar face instead of a voice on the phone. We congratulate Manitoulin Transport and look forward to working closely with their local personnel.”

Manitoulin Transport’s new terminal is located at 38 Dean Drive. It is one of the company’s 34 terminals in North Western Canada and the latest of 66 nationwide. Features include a cross-dock facility, a climate-controlled environment and ground-level loading capability, all allowing the faster and reliable handling of all types of commodities.

“Our investment in this new site, our second to open in just over a week, demonstrates our continued commitment to our many customers in North Western Canada,” said Rob Eskens, director of sales, Manitoulin Transport. “Manitoulin Transport is a total transportation service provider and now we have further solidified our ability to partner with our existing and prospective customers in extending their businesses across Canada, the United States and around the world.”


Manitoulin Transport chose to further invest in Hay River due to the increasing need for local industries, such as mining, forestry, and oil and gas, to have access to a much greater scale of supply chain and distribution services. Additionally, Hay River is a strategic location due to opportunities associated with the rapid growth of the area, for example the construction of the 1,220 kilometre natural gas pipeline system along the Mackenzie Valley in the N.W.T. to connect northern onshore gas fields with North American markets.

“Hay River is the undisputable ‘hub of the north,’” said deputy mayor Mike Maher. “We’re delighted that a company of such calibre as Manitoulin Transport has decided to invest in the region. The provision of expanded transportation capabilities in this strategic location, especially at a time of such unprecedented growth, will benefit local businesses and industries, and in doing so, benefit the Hay River community as a whole and that’s good news for everyone.”

CEO Doug Smith named to Canada's Highest Order of Canada

GORE BAY, Ont. -- For at least one family of truckers, the year that just ended will go down in the annuals for generations to come.

We’re referring to the Smiths, of Gore Bay, Ont., and specifically patriarch Doug Smith, founder of the Manitoulin Group.

In November, at the Ontario Trucking Association’s (OTA) annual conference, Smith was presented with the Trailmobile Service to Industry Award. It’s among our industry’s most coveted citations.

And then just before the calendar year ran out, Canada’s Governor General Michelle Jean announced that Smith was named to the Order of Canada, this country’s highest civilian honor.

According to a statement from the Ms. Jean’s office, Mr. Smith, one of 60 appointees to the Order in ’07, was recognized in the industry, commerce and business category, for his "contributions as a business leader, philanthropist and champion of economic and community development in Northern Ontario." Entrepreneur, philanthropist, inventor and now Officer of the Order of Canada, Doug Smith appeared with his wife Phyllis to accept the Service to Industry Award from Bert Clay of Trailmobile.