If there was ever any question whether Canada's trucking industry is a key indicator of the state of the economy, a recent report from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) delivers a direct answer.
According to the CBSA, in the week of August 17, 2020, almost the same number of commercial trucks crossed the Canada-U.S. border as the same period in August 2019. This means the number of truck drivers crossing the border has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels -- a real-time indicator of consumer confidence.
The CBSA report shines a light on how important the industry is, not only to keep goods moving during this unprecedented period, but how trucking is part of the fabric of the Canadian economy.
Manitoba's trucking industry is leading the way when it comes to driving our economy forward here at home and as we celebrate National Trucking Week (September 6-12, 2020), we've compiled a list of the things you should know about this key industry so you can help us share this economic success story.
1. Our province is home to seven of Canada’s top 100 for-hire trucking companies according to an annual ranking by Today’s Trucking Magazine.
The list includes Bison Transport (6), TransX (7), Penner International (46), Paul’s Hauling (55), Arnold Bros. Transport (58), Big Freight Systems (66), and T.E.A.M.S. Transport (69). The companies in the top 10, Bison Transport and TransX, are among Manitoba’s largest private sector employers.
2. Winnipeg is a strategic trucking hub located in the centre of North America. It is also home to CentrePort Canada, North America’s largest tri-modal inland port and Canada’s first designated foreign trade zone.
Several trucking companies have expanded operations in CentrePort in recent years, including:
Rosenau Transport - 71,000 sq. ft. transportation and warehouse facility (2019)
JR Hall Transport - 15,000 sq. ft. transportation terminal (2019)
Len Dubois Trucking – Relocation and expansion of facility (2019)
4Tracks Ltd. - Expansion along CentrePort Canada Way (2019)
Bison Transport – Expansion (2019)
Canada Cartage - 46,000 sq. ft. regional hub (2016)
Freightliner Manitoba - Heavy-duty truck dealership recently opened 88,000 square-foot building (2020)
3. Winnipeg is just a one-hour drive (112 km) from the Canada-U.S. border with access to a population of 100 million within a 24-hour drive. Approximately 400,000 commercial trucks cross the Manitoba‑U.S. border each year, according to the Manitoba Trucking Association.
4. Red River College’s Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre (VTRC) is home to the new MotiveLab, a 7,000-square foot research facility focused on supporting Manitoba’s heavy vehicle sector. The facility has the ability to test vehicles at temperature extremes (between -40°C and +50°C) throughout the year, under full-load conditions and even simulate various ground topologies, such as slopes. It will facilitate research and technology development for companies and manufacturers to create the next generation of heavy-duty vehicles.
We encourage you to share this story on National Trucking Week and take some time to thank our Manitoba trucking companies and drivers for keeping goods flowing throughout the pandemic. Learn more about Manitoba’s Transportation and Distribution sector here: https://www.edwinnipeg.com/transportation.