4 Grant's: setting wheels in motion.

• Author: Charlebois, Janet
• Position: J.M. Grant - Company overview

With two trucks in commission and a contract with Wabi Iron Works to haul mining equipment, J.M. Grant set the wheels in motion to create what would become one of Northern Ontario's leading transportation companies.

Headquartered in New Liskeard, Grant's Transport Ltd. began in 1947 when J.M. Grant purchased McKenzie Cartage.

The company continued to expand over the next few years. With increased business, Grant purchased a larger piece of property in 1958 and constructed larger offices, shop and docking facilities. Obtaining a class "A" license allowed for the pick up and delivery of small loads from Toronto to locations north of North Bay.

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Since then, the company has continued to expand its fleet, and today is recognized in the industry for its unique two-way hauling system.

In the 1980s and throughout the 90s, Grant's Transport continued to expand its petroleum capacity and ultimately purchased the assets of G.R.W. Petroleum in Ottawa and other petroleum assets in Toronto in 1998.

At present, Grant's Transport specializes in bulk shipping of liquids and fluids such as chemicals and petroleum and also in bulk shipping of wood chips, shavings and waste, as well as lumber.

Known for its two-way hauling

Its two-way hauling system increases efficiency by enabling them to deliver petroleum products one way and lumber products the other, says Gord Grant, owner and operator.

This necessitates a fairly unique truck with both petroleum tank capacity and lumber storage capacity, he explains.

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The company now has a fleet of over 200 trailers and 80 tractor units, and provides transport services across Ontario, Quebec and bordering states. Their fleet includes flat bed trailers, tanker trailers and van trailers. They employ approximately 150 people.

Though Grant's Transport Ltd. has a vision to continue expanding, the company faces an important barrier; it is difficult to find drivers. According to Grant, they are self-admitted...