Wanting to take advantage of the growing opportunities in Western Canada, a Winnipeg-based trucking company has come to Langley.
Bison Transport has acquired a 20,000 square foot facility on six acres in northwest Langley.
“This is pretty significant for us,” said Trevor Fridfinnson, Bison’s vice-president of western operations.
“We’ve been growing and we’ve been in the B.C. market, but we didn’t have the infrastructure to support the next stage of growth in the market.”
The company is located at 9818 198B St., in the northwest Langley industrial area. The area adjoins Port Kells and Surrey.
“(The location) is a footprint which allows us to have a base of operations where we can serve people more readily,” Fridfinnson said.
Bison will share the facility with another trucking operation for at least the first 12 months.
“This purchase represents a leap forward in Bison’s presence in the B.C. region and most importantly, a strong base by which to better serve and grow with our clients, as well as our driving and non-driving staff.”
Bison services all over Canada and 48 U.S. states and has more than 1,000 trucks and 1,800 employees.
The company, which was incorporated in 1969, offers full truckload service, full service logistics, fleet operations, yard management and warehousing and distribution.
The Langley location is just minutes from the Trans-Canada Highway. It has a 12,000 square foot office building and five trailer service bays and a cross dock bay.
The facility is a mid-range terminal for Bison, whose largest bases are in Winnipeg, Mississauga and Calgary. They also have terminals in Edmonton and Regina and warehouses in Montreal, Kelowna and Delta.
Fridfinnson said there will be about 75 office staff and 150 drivers based out of the facility.
The company anticipates its B.C./Alberta operations to grow by about 30 per cent over the next year or so.