Category: General

The Kriska Transportation Group has been recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation. This is our 22nd year receiving the honour. We’re proud to be amongst the best-in-class of Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $50 million.

Hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management abilities and practices every year. Designated companies demonstrate leadership in strategy, capabilities and innovation, culture and commitment, and financials to achieve sustainable growth. Successful recipients put their people and culture at the forefront, focus on their ESG strategies and accelerated digitization.

“The 2022 Best Managed winners exemplify innovation, adaptability, and resilience in the face of uncertainty,” said Lorrie King, Partner, Deloitte
Private and Co-Leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “Over the past year, these forward-forging companies have pivoted to successfully respond to challenges and capitalize on new opportunities, leveraging industry-leading competencies to maximize their investments and drive sustainable growth.”

KTG has met and bested the global supply chain disruption challenges over the past year. We continue to invest in our people and improve our processes to better serve our customers with one of the safest fleets in North America. Our strategy of acquiring proven companies adds to our growing service offerings.

“Everyone at Kriska has worked hard to earn this designation for 22 consecutive years,” mentioned KTG CFO Pierre Carrier. “It’s a reflection of our dedication to innovation and growth. We’re proud to have a team that makes us one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.”

Representatives from program sponsors and special guests make up a panel of independent judges. Deloitte Private, CIBC, The Globe and Mail, Salesforce, and TMX Group are program sponsors.

As the weather warms and the days get longer, our drivers see more motorcycles on the road. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month in Canada when we pay extra attention to their return.

There are many motorcycle riders throughout each Kriska Transportation Group company, from drivers to accountants.

Mill Creek Warehouse Manager JP Frenette is a professional truck driver and longtime motorcyclist. He offered this tip “Never assume they see you.”

Another tip for motorcyclists is that a truck pulling a 53-foot trailer moves lots of air. Riders should leave lots of space around a rig. They could lose control of their bike if they get caught in the turbulence.

If you’re on the backroads of Eastern Ontario, you might see KTG CEO Mark Seymour and his son Clark riding their Harley Davidson Street Glides. Mark on his beautiful black and burgundy bike and Clark on his bright orange one. You may also run into him during bike week in Daytona, FL or Laconia, NH.

With their smaller size, motorcycle riders are less visible and are more vulnerable to injury than drivers of personal and commercial vehicles. They share the road with much larger vehicles, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to be aware of them all.

KTG Trainers instruct all incoming drivers on spotting motorcycle riders and how to share the road with them. Here are the tips our professionals follow:

• Adjust your mirrors and always use them. Properly aimed mirrors will reduce your blind spots. Glance in your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds to stay aware of the vehicles near you.
• Give motorcycle riders room when passing and don’t crowd their lane. Don’t follow a motorcycle too closely. Some riders slow by downshifting rather than using their brakes. Without a brake light illuminated, drivers may not notice the bike decelerating.
• Most motorcycle accidents occur at intersections, pay extra attention and be careful when making turns.
• As always, be an attentive and undistracted driver.

We wish all the motorcycle riders a fun and safe season and remind everyone to share the road with awareness.

As of May 1, 2022, Icon Transportation Logistics Ltd. has merged with Mill Creek Motor Freight Ltd. We’re honoured to welcome Icon’s talented staff, dedicated drivers and innovative processes. We believe that our combined teams will continue to provide the exceptional service that our loyal customers expect.

As well as sharing the same terminal since 2019, both Kriska Transportation Group companies share a passion for providing safe, on-time cross-border Truckload and LTL service to their customers across America.

Founded in 2003 with a single truck, Icon grew to a fleet of over 50 that travels more than 5 million miles annually. Icon built a reputation for reliability, 24/7 communications and an awe-inspiring safety record. As a former mechanic and driver, founder Alen Delija understood that thorough pre-trip inspections combined with a strict maintenance schedule kept Icon trucks and trailers on the road rather than in the shop or delayed at the scales.

After outgrowing their Puslinch terminal, Icon joined Mill Creek at their Ayr, ON location in 2019. The synergy of both KTG companies was apparent from the start; they each value lasting relationships with customers, suppliers and drivers. Both focus on cost-effective freight transportation from Southern Ontario to the US midwest, Texas and California.

Customers and Drivers will continue to work with the people they know and trust.

TransPro Freight Systems is happy to welcome Peter Jenkins as General Manager, effective January 7, 2022. Concurrently the GM of Champion Express Ltd., Peter, will manage both companies operating from the shared Milton-based terminal.

Peter brings over a decade of experience managing Champion’s key accounts and developing its proprietary LTL logistics software. He holds designations as a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) and Professional Logistician (PLog). As GM of Champion Express, he has overseen the company relocating to the TransPro terminal and integrating with the warehouse and cross-dock operations. Under his leadership, the business has experienced consistent organic growth.

“Peter has been working towards a role like this since Champion joined KTG,” commented David Tumber, Chief Operating Officer, KTG, “his innovative technological approach will help TransPro succeed in the ever-changing cross-border market.”

Champion and TransPro have worked closely together in recent years. While continuing their own distinct operations, customers of both companies will benefit from increased sharing of expertise and competencies.

The Kriska Transportation Group (KTG) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Transport N Service of Guelph, ON.  

Transport N Service was established in 1997 as a full-service transportation company based in Guelph, ON. Their modern fleet provides cross-border Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Truckload services, often moving up to 300 loads per month into the US. 

The current management team led by General Manager Kevin Allen will continue to ensure seamless service and reliable transport for the company’s customers. 

“Transport N Service brings more than two decades of LTL operational excellence to our group,” said KTG CEO Mark Seymour. “KTG is pleased to welcome another well-run Ontario-based LTL operator to our group.  We see this line of business as one we like and one that further diversifies our revenue streams”. 

“We are excited for the growth opportunity of joining a group the size of KTG,” said Kevin Allen of Transport N Service. “The operational synergies and large network of sister companies will allow us to extend our coverage, service offerings and shared knowledge base.” 

The addition of Transport N Service adds 90 tractors and 170 trailers to KTG’s fleet and is the twelfth company to join the group. 

KTG’s Heather Mewhinney has been named the HR Leader of the Year by Trucking HR Canada.

We’re excited and proud that she has been acknowledged for the excellence with which she approaches her role. As KTG’s Director of Human Resources, Heather oversees all eleven companies within the group. She creates an open and friendly atmosphere that encourages straight talk and honesty. Heather has transformed the HR processes at KTG by adopting a digital-first approach to recruiting, compensation management, performance management and benefits administration.

As an advocate of the Canadian transportation industry, she actively promotes the inclusion of women in trucking. She is also the inaugural co-chair of Truckers Against Trafficking Canada.

When receiving the award at Trucking HR Canada’s Top Fleet Employers gala, Heather commented, “I’ve been in the industry for 26 years and never have I been prouder to work in the trucking industry than in the last year and a half,” she said “The industry really did shine over the past 18 months. I’m lucky to work with Kriska Transportation Group and with so many great people who make my job easier every day.”

This video from the awards presentation highlights Heather’s contributions to HR Excellence in Canadian trucking.

Congratulations, Heather, on this well-deserved recognition. We think you’re the HR leader every year.

This August, KTG awarded ten students the Kriska Transportation Group Scholarship. Available to the children of all KTG employees, the scholarship supports post-secondary education and the promotion of the transportation industry to youth.

Since 2019, KTG has provided $75,000 to help with the cost of attending post-secondary education. While we can only hope that some of the recipients will join their parents working in transportation, we sincerely believe in the value of higher learning and are honoured to assist the student’s ambitions.

This year’s scholarship applicants provided essays on the role the transportation industry has had in their lives and how to attract youth to the business. Their ideas were fresh and insightful.

The 2021 Kriska Transportation Group Scholarship recipients are:
Zoe Bernier
Lauren Gellner
Zachary Hill
Samantha Kothe
Maryka Lebeau
Sophie LeBlanc
Miranda Main
Malenfant Martin
Jordan Meers
Greg Patrick

KTG companies Icon Logistics Transportation Inc., Kriska Holdings Limited, Mill Creek Motor Freight, and Trailwood Transport have been named 2021 Smartway High Performers by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Smartway program provides carriers with guidance and standards to help reduce fuel consumption and increase efficiency. The result is lower carbon emissions and better utilization of our fleets.

Of all the carriers participating in the SmartWay program, fewer than 10% make the High Performer list for carbon emissions. We are proud that Icon, Kriska, Mill Creek and Trailwood consume thousands of gallons of fuel than their competitors.

KTG companies are committed to our stewardship of the environment. Our fleet consists of modern fuel-efficient trucks and trailers with low resistance tires and side skirts. Our drivers operate at limited speeds on routes carefully selected to use less fuel and when they are parked, idle their truck minimally.

From maintenance to drivers and dispatchers, KTG continues to innovate as one of the environmental leaders in the North American transportation industry.

The trailer fleet at KTG companies consists of nearly 2000 strong, but none are as noticeable as the She The North trailer that celebrates the historic Grand Slam win by Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu.

This June, the trailer design won the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s (PMTC) 3m Graphic Award in the Special Events/Promotions Category. The stunning trailer features images of Andreescu and graphic elements representing the dynamism of tennis was designed by Turbo Studio.

Based in Mississauga, ON, Turbo Studio is the sister company of longtime KTG vendor Turbo Images. They are a design-forward branding and marketing agency that provides boutique-style customer service and care.

The She The North trailer was the first of three projects that Turbo Studio has designed for various KTG companies. After the success of both the image and the quality wrap, we relied on them to develop creative ideas for another trailer and an office mural. 

Turbo Studio’s second design was an update for Kriska’s ageing community events trailer. Community groups in Eastern Ontario use the 36′ refrigerated trailer at events such as Ribfest, Canada Day and others. Kriska requested that the wrap reflect the heritage of the area and the company’s place within it. The resulting design showcases local landmarks and a Kriska truck with a map of the region in the background. As on the She The North trailer, the bright red of the Kriska logo was strategically used throughout.

Recently, the company completed a mural installed to celebrate Champion Express’s 30th anniversary. This project was more of a conceptual challenge than the others. Champion’s design brief described a 16′ x 9′ mural that illustrated the company’s reach across Canada and needed to include road and rail transportation as well as famous Canadian locations. Turbo Studio’s talented designers worked with the company to produce multiple versions to get to the final design and are delighted with the result.