2 Young drivers, young fleet.

• Author: Larmour, Adelle
• Position: Top 5 Transportation Companies

Efficient, quality service is the hub where all else revolves for ProNorth Transportation.

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Headquartered in North Bay, this 21-year-old unpretentious company has built its current 170-truck fleet by concentrating on all the facets required in a transportation company, creating top-notch service for its customers.

"Everything is based upon service," says co-owner and vice-president Dale Glass, who runs the business with his brother Brian, co-owner and president.

ProNorth's 282 employees work out of its head office in North Bay and four satellite truck terminals located in Mississauga, Timmins, Dorval, Que. and Sudbury. The North Bay and Mississauga depots have two divisions: dry van and flat bed.

Comprised mostly of 18-wheelers, the company provides full truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) service, which caters to loads smaller than regular loads. General commodities and wood are hauled North American wide.

Dale describes the fleet as "very young" with a lot of the new standards, including automatic systems. Preventative maintenance, such as automatic slack adjustors, auto grease and oil systems, help sustain high levels of efficiency. Operations of the vehicles are monitored closely.

"We monitor fuel counts and fuel burns daily, which is the No. 1 cost in our industry," Dale says, adding that they have a very highly regarded in-house maintenance program that keeps up with industry and Ontario Ministry of Environment standards.

ProNorth's safety record has one of the highest ratings in Ontario and Quebec with over 10,000 accident-free miles. Much of this can be attributed to its driver training and investment in its employees.

"We groom them from the ground up ... with new recruits, even if they have experience, they go through a rigorous training process with us," Dale says.

With a strong focus on company policies and procedures, drivers are continually...