Kelsey Trail Trucking Merges with Big Freight Systems
July 05 2018 - 5:32PM
Business Wire
Big Freight Systems, a Daseke company, today announced a merger
with Kelsey Trail Trucking. Combined, the two operations operate
nearly 750 tractors and trailers. Kelsey Trail will become a
division of Big Freight and keep operations intact, with locations
in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Innisfil, Ontario. Big Freight is
headquartered in Steinbach, Manitoba.
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Gary Coleman, president of Big Freight
Systems, and Jim Clunie, president of Kelsey Trail Trucking,
believe the merger of their second-generation trucking companies is
a great match because of their shared long family history and
success in trucking. (Photo: Business Wire)
“This is a big day for both companies,” said Gary Coleman,
president of Big Freight. “While we will operate somewhat
autonomously, we will share many resources – there is a lot of
synergy between the two companies. Big Freight hauls single flatbed
trailers throughout the United States and Canada, while Kelsey
Trail is the largest dedicated B-train operator in Canada, with
coast-to-coast truckload and LTL service. Kelsey Trail also has a
regional B-train operation in Ontario and Quebec. We’ve never
competed for freight, but now we’ll be able to work together in
some creative ways. That’s exciting for both companies, and it will
be a benefit for our customers. It will give us a competitive edge
and more freight opportunities.”
According to Jim Clunie, president of Kelsey Trail Trucking,
much like Big Freight, Kelsey Trail started as a small,
family-operated trucking company. “We’re in our 38th year, while
Big Freight is celebrating its 70th year,” he said. “Our values,
passion for the industry and our penchant for customer service is
very much alike. I’ve had others knock on our doors, but have never
been inclined to sell or merge. We’ve been very successful. But,
the opportunity with Big Freight was different, and what our two
companies can do together is very exciting. What’s more, Big
Freight is a part of Daseke, which represents the largest
asset-based flatbed operation in North America. This combination
led us to the merger.”
Kelsey Trail Trucking operates 80 tractors – a mix of late-model
Kenworths and Peterbilts. They have a handful of 53-foot trailers,
but the mainstay is the company’s 90 sets of 5-axle B-trains
(32-foot lead trailers, and 28-foot pups). The company’s long-haul
fleet of nearly 50 tractors goes all over Canada (backhauling much
of the cedar that comes out of British Columbia). It has also
developed a regional fleet making deliveries from the Toronto area
up to the northern area of the province, and into Quebec.
“[From an operational standpoint,] merging with Big Freight will
give us the opportunity to better support our team with access to
the first-class facility in Steinbach and property in Winnipeg,”
said Clunie.
“And, for Big Freight, we will have access to Kelsey Trail’s new
42,000-square-foot facility north of Toronto,” said Coleman. “The
more efficient we can operate day-in and day-out, the more
competitive we will be long term. We will raise the bar and offer
an unparalleled level of service and capacity. This next chapter
will be remarkable. It’s going to be good for the Big Freight team,
good for the Kelsey Trail team, and it will be good for our
customers.”
About Big Freight
Big Freight Systems, a Daseke company, is a leading Canadian
asset-based flatbed and specialized trucking and freight management
company based in Steinbach and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2018, Big Freight has grown
from a modest four-truck operation providing local cartage services
in Southeast Manitoba into a specialized carrier servicing all of
North America.
About Daseke
Daseke Inc. is the leading consolidator and the largest flatbed
and specialized transportation and logistics company in North
America. Daseke offers comprehensive, best-in-class services to
many of the world’s most respected industrial shippers through
experienced people, more than 5,500 tractors, more than 11,500
flatbed and specialized trailers, and a million-plus square feet of
industrial warehousing space.
Source: Daseke Inc.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180705005628/en/
For Big Freight SystemsDoug Siefkes,
425-392-2611Siefkes@siefkespetit.com
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