Sept 8, 2017 Neepawa Banner: Trucking Week

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Friday, September 8, 2017 • Neepawa, Manitoba

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Locally owned and operated

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Gazette-Reporter Serving the Rivers, Rapid City, Oak River areas and more

Celebrating National Trucking Week

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PHOTOS BY DIANE WARNER AND MICAH WADDELL

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National Trucking Week Trucking industry growing within Manitoba

By Kira McCormick-Adema The Neepawa Banner Whether it’s regulatory or technological, there are always changes within the trucking industry. But drivers and transportation companies don’t have to face the challenges alone, the Manitoba Trucking Association, MTA, is always present to provide valuable information and advocacy, allowing members to focus on their core business, while the MTA works administratively on members’ behalf, to supply them with accurate information and help ensure regulations meet the needs of the industry and the public.

The industry plays a vital role in Manitoba’s economy.

Everything you touch has most likely been moved by a truck to get where it is. There are over 28,000 Manitobans directly employed by the truck transportation sector and with more than 14,000 trucks on its highways and roads, annually. Manitoba collects $318 million in fuel tax and $156 million in road related licenses and fees. Trucking contributes more than $2 billion to Manitoba’s GDP an-

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANITOBA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

Each year, commercial Drivers from all over Manitoba came together for the 2017 Professional Truck Driving Championships (PTDC), held at Peterbilt Manitoba. At the PTDC, drivers compete by demonstrating their skill on numerous levels, including a written text, trip inspection station, and of course the driving track. Winners for 2017 were announced later that evening at the Driver Awards Banquet. The 2017 winners were: Bruce McKechnie – Bison Transport (Straight Truck), David Henry – REK Express (Super B Train), Frank Klassen – Penner International (Single-Tandem), Rodney Birdsbill – Bison Transport (Tandem-Tandem) and Brian Hrabarchuk – Canadian Freightways (Single-Single).

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANITOBA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

Each year, the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) and Volvo Trucks Canada present the Manitoba Driver of the Year award. The 2017 recipient was Ronald J. Rodych, of Gordon Food Service. A driver with over 28 years with Gordon Food Service, Ron has received numerous awards as a professional driver. John Mauseth, of Beaver Truck Centre on behalf of Volvo Trucks Canada, presented the award.

The Driver of the Year is selected from the Industry Excellence Award recipients from the previous year and chosen based on commitment to the industry, safety, outstanding acts and customer service. As the Provincial Driver of the Year, Ron is now eligible for the Canadian Trucking Alliance/ Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year Award.

nually, and more than 450 for hire trucking companies are based in Manitoba. Trucking is also important to Manitoba’s export economy, trucks account for 95 per cent of land freight trade between the province and the United States and Highway #75 moves roughly $19 billion in trade between Manitoba and the United States.

It’s hard to imagine Manitoba without trucks, “Not only does trucking connect our rural communities with employment opportunities, the rural communities rely on the industry for delivery of every day items. These items would be anything from groceries, fuel, building supplies and everything in between. Some northern communities rely solely on our industry to help connect them to these everyday items,” said Don Stewart, Senior Business Development Manager at MTA. Moving the industry forward Technology is always advancing and plays an everincreasing role in the industry. In order to become more

T A C Ventures Inc.

energy efficient, technology with an emphasis on fuel reduction has become a valuable asset, something that’s good for both the environment and the bottom line. Some of these advancements include wide based tires, Aerodynamic side skirts, anti idle devices, solar panels to charge batteries, speed limiters, aerodynamic boat tails and gap fairings.

The industry relies on its drivers and keeping them healthy and happy is important. With approximately 1,100 workers injured on the job each year, the Manitoba trucking industry saw the need for a trucking-specific safety association to help them address occupational injuries, with a focus on prevention to minimize risk. This lead to the creation of the RPM program.

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Proud to be part of Canada’s Trucking Industry

Renegade Transport Ltd. Custom Hauling Grain, Dry & Liquid Fertilizer

Waste Management & Contracting

Your cattle and flat deck transport specialists. Offering a variety of equipment to suit your needs including triaxle and tandem axle pots, ground load trailer, portable chute and super-b flat deck trailers. Call Rodney today to book your pasture loads, bale hauling, transport of cattle to and from market, and other loads.

Rodney Drader • 204-476-2630

Your Local Garbage and Recycling Contractor Jack Falk (Owner) Box 208 Neepawa, MB R0J 1H0 Bus: 204-841-4045

Dealers in Scrap Metal • Copper Aluminum • Stainless & Brass Cell: 204-476-0002

Gordon Coutts

Box 189, Plumas, MB R0J 1P0 Cell 204 476 6716 Office & Fax 204 386 2244 renegadeltd@mts.net

NEEPAWA BANNER SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 B3

National Trucking Week Manitoba, a province on the move

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANITOBA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION

The 2017 Manitoba Trucking Association recognized 10 drivers with industry excellence awards: Terry Wright (Arnold Bros. Transport), Sheryl McLean (Kindersley Transportation), Robert McLean (Kindersley Transportation), Marcito Kehler (Steve’s Livestock), Darren Bray (Arnold Bros. Transport), Tim Reimer (Steve’s Livestock), Cass Nicbride (Bison Transport), Ron Rodych (Gordon Food Service). Missing: Myron Penner (Steve’s Livestock) and Robert Goulet (Arnold Bros. Transport). From this pool of award winners, the annual Volvo Trucks Canada Manitoba Driver of the Year is selected.

Continued from page B2 By providing services tailored to trucking, RPM is available to all members of the industry, not just MTA members.

Similar to the COR program in the construction industry, RPM provides training, education and advisory services.

RPM in specifically targeted to the trucking industry and takes into account its unique working environments, making it easier for employers and workers to engage in positive safety and health practices. In addition to helping to reduce injuries and their associated costs, participation in RPM can result in savings on WCB premiums. Stewart said that some participants are saving up to $250,000 per year. RPM does not address issues directly related to road safety compliance (National Safety Code or Motor Carrier Enforcement), but these issues are strongly supported by the Manitoba Trucking Association.

Since it’s establishment in 1932, one of MTA’s major roles is to work with all levels of government to advocate for industry specific issues. One of the largest advocacy challenges facing the industry at present is carbon tax.

The industry isn’t opposed to the idea of carbon tax, “In fact, the Manitoba Trucking Association and its affiliates had established a dialogue with the former NDP provincial government to come up with a strategy aimed at cutting carbon emissions,” says Stewart, “We actually put forth a proposal (The GrEEEner Trucking Fuel Efficiency Initiative) several years back, and it’s still on the table.

We suggested an industry-imposed levy of half a cent per litre on taxed diesel fuel, along with a whole host of other initiatives aimed at using less fuel and therefore actually spending less on fuel. Then, the Trudeau government got in, and a carbon tax became the in-thing.” In its present form, both the MTA and the recently elected Progressive Conservative provincial government are opposing the Federal Liberals’ proposed carbon tax. “Like the provincial government, we’re opposed to a one-size-fits-all carbon tax,” says Stewart. “At the end of the day, it shouldn’t be about a tax, but about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

As Manitoba keeps moving by truck, MTA and the industry will keep working to create a safe and healthy business environment to help the industry move forward.

Full service, repair and safety for semis, trucks and trailers Contact Brian Bradley 204-476-2364 480 PTH #5 North Neepawa

“Manitoba’s Tire Specialists”

Highway 5 North Neepawa 204-476-5566 www.kkpenner.com

Move With A Star!

Let us put you in the driver seat!

We are looking for a few good company drivers who can go to the United States and have a good driving abstract.

Please fax resume to: 204-239-0150.

Dallas Transport Ltd. Box 1087 • Portage la Prairie, MB • R1N 3C5

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NEEPAWA BANNER SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 B5

National Trucking Week

National Trucking Week

Westman moves by truck!

We asked our readers to send us pictures of area trucks at work

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DID YOU KNOW?

According to MPI records, there are about 40,000 Class 1 DL holders in Manitoba?

At the annual Acres for Hope harvest (a Canadian Foodgrains Bank growing project) in Rivers on Aug. 22, 2017, Redfern Farm Services shows its corporate support by standing ready to haul the wheat away after an assembly of farmers gather in the field three miles east of Rivers.

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DID YOU KNOW? There are about 108,000 commercial plated vehicles in Manitoba Public Insurance?

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Minnedosa • 204-865-2335

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Your #1

John Kerluke and his 2003 Cabover Argossy. John has been long haul trucking for close to 40 years.

Specializing in Grain and Gravel Hauling

Thanks to all Les Moffat Inc. of those Minnedosa 204-867-7518 who keep Manitoba moving!

BOYD TRUCKING

s, including

Truck Repair Business TRANSPORT INC.

Thanks to everyone in the industry that keeps the country rolling.

Dry Bulk Hauling Canada and U.S.

Whatever you bought, a truck probably brought!

24 Hour Towing Service • Brandon, MB

Box 55, Austin, MB R0H 0C0 Specializing in transportation of dry bulk commodities Phone: 204-724-6870 Email: alepp@redlinetransport.ca

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Truck Parts • Safety Inspections Truck Repairs • Certified Truck Specialists Truck Pro Dealership Highway #5 North Neepawa, MB 204-476-3809 www.ticparts.com

Phone: 204-637-2429 Fax: 204-637-2179

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National Trucking Week

Trucking, a multi-generational affair

By Martin Warner The Neepawa Banner

With 15 years of trucking under my belt, spanning all of the continental United States and coast to coast in Canada, I wouldn’t consider myself a rookie. Nor do I consider myself a veteran of the highway. The fascination with trucks and the highway came from my grandfather, a driver of 47 years who was by definition a Professional Driver of the highest order. I remember being very young riding with him from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, hauling resin to Palliser Furniture in a Freightliner cabover and a set of Krohnert super B tankers. Over the many summers,

I enjoyed our time together as we travelled back and forth across northern Ontario. I remember the courtesy and respect that drivers showed to each other, this is slowly fading, however a few of us still try to keep the values taught to us by the previous generation.

He was retired when I started to drive for Jade Transport, he came out to visit and have a look around. He always said he was proud of me and told me to do whatever made me happy. Over the years I moved around a bit living in Toronto, Thunder Bay, and even a short stint in Alberta,

but my heart was always in Manitoba with the shiny green trucks. We found our way to the Neepawa area and have been settled here for almost five years now and love it.

Having trucked in or through Manitoba for most of my career, I am very familiar with the impact the industry has on the economy and people of Manitoba. Working for a small family-owned operation based in Winnipeg since 2001, I have had the opportunity to see and work with a lot of people and industries in rural Manitoba.

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Gladstone Transfer Ltd. For all your Dry Bulk and Aggregate Transportation needs Check us out for all your aggregate and landscape material needs

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Martin Warner got his first taste of trucking riding in the cab with his grandfather, who spent 47 years as a professional driver.

L O N G H O R N T R A N S P O RT Flat Decks Vans Hoppers Canada and U.S. Service

Box 1260 Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0

1-204-867-5857 Fax 1-204-867-5839 Email: kwhume@mts.net

Maxim Truck & Trailer Bill Heuchert Sales & Leasing

Account Manager

225 Middleton Ave. Brandon, MB. R7C 1A8

Direct: 204.578.6353 Cell: 204.867.7175 Fax: 204.725.0808 Email: bheuchert@maximinc.com

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Located in Gladstone on Highway 16 Next to the Happy Rock Phone: 1-204-385-2947 $ Email: gtl@mymts.net Visa, Mastercard and cash accepted www.gladstonetransfer.com

NEEPAWA BANNER SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 B7

National Trucking Week

We move by truck Continued from page B6 I worked as an over the road (OTR) truck driver for many years and was surprised as to how many different commodities are used in Manitoba. Having hauled products from the Southern United States back into Manitoba, it makes one appreciate the breadth of Manitoba’s different industries and its impact on the Canadian economy.

Locally, in the Westman region, I get to see just how dependant we are on trucks. Almost everything we purchase, consume, or

After 15 years on the road, Martin Warner has hauled loads all across Canada and the United States.

produce moves by truck at some point. To say that rural Manitoba relies heavily on trucks would be an understatement. The Manitoba Trucking Association states

that 95 per cent of goods in Manitoba travel by truck, with rural Manitoba being closer to 100 per cent. Sitting on the side of the road in any Manitoba commun-

125 Middleton Ave. East Brandon,MB (Hwy 1 & Hwy 10 North) Open Monday to Friday 7:00 - 6:30 pm & Saturday 8:00 - 12:00pm.

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ity, it will not take one long to come to the realization that our communities move by truck.

Trucking in Manitoba takes on many forms. Most

common in the Westman region would be trucking in agricultural products of livestock, crops, and machinery. Manitoba also boasts a large agricultural

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTIN WARNER

manufacturing industry, with some based here in Westman.

Continued on page B8

Grain, Fertilizer & Hay Hauling Serving Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and North Dakota

Phone: 365-4740 Fax: 365-4751 E-mail: rtm@gmail.com www.rtmtransport.com

B8 NEEPAWA BANNER SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

National Trucking Week A front row seat to Manitoba’s economy

Continued from page B7 Those companies rely on a number of Manitoba based carriers to move their products to customers throughout North America. Infrastructure repairs and maintenance also make up a large portion of the trucks seen in and around the region, whether it’s new paving or gravel trucks hauling for construction projects.

Being in the centre of Canada, Manitoba gets to see all of the cross Canadian truck traffic, making Highways #1 and #16 extremely important commercial corridors.

Manitoba is also home to approximately 475 for hire carriers (according to MTA stats) which makes it a major player in the transportation industry in Canada and the United States. Many of Manitoba’s industries are export based and thus need to be carted south to their final destinations. Around 80 per cent of those goods are transported south on trucks. The MTA estimates that 400,000 trucks cross Manitoba’s border with the U.S every year.

Trucking in Manitoba is a mainstay to the economy providing jobs not only as drivers but as mechanics, salesmen, as well as warehouse workers and other logistical positions. It’s estimated that for every 10

jobs created within the trucking industry, 7 more are created elsewhere.

Ranging from scorching heat in the summer months, to paralyzing cold of the winter and road closures that last days at a time, not to mention the world famous winter roads program. Climate and road conditions add another challenge to trucking in Manitoba. Manitoba is one of the few places where one can cover the extremes of both ends of the climate scale, both present their own special challenges to the industry.

Truck drivers in Manitoba are known to be a hearty bunch, being able to deal with the conditions presented to them often by surprise or with little notice.

The Manitoba Trucking community has had a large impact through out North America from its innovations by our large fleet carriers that have help shaped trucking as we know it today, to our internationally recognized show trucks from multiple carriers based inside Manitoba that have set trends and developed their own style throughout the years. Manitoba has always been a leader in the trucking industry constantly shaped the people it employs and the practices developed.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTIN WARNER

Martin Warner, with “Cream Puff”, and their third place Bobtail Tractor award at Shell Super Rigs in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STAFF

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FOR ATTAINING RPM CERTIFICATION AND THEIR DAILY COMMITMENT TO SAFE WORK With an unrelenting commitment to excellence, we tailor our service to each customer’s need, whether it is in the industrial chemical, agricultural, foodgrade or road construction industries.

Proudly serving communities throughout Southwestern Manitoba

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Brandon Terminal: 204.726.4441 Neepawa Terminal: 204.476.3378 Dauphin Terminal: 204.638.3631

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