CORNWALL, Ont. -- A group of trucking companies in the Cornwall area will be sporting decals promoting the city’s rise in prominence as a logistics hub on their equipment as part of a new initiative by Cornwall’s economic developers.
More than 400 of the decals, showcasing the city’s economic development Web site, ChooseCornwall.ca, have been distributed already, with more already on order, according to city officials. The decals will be displayed on the rear doors of the trailers.
“It makes sense to promote the city with the companies that are in part responsible for our recent growth,” said Bob Peters, senior development officer for the City of Cornwall. “Local transports are on the road every hour of the day and night, and in the process are seen by hundreds of thousands of people.”
Companies participating in the program include Minimax Transportation, Seaway Express, International Truckload Services (ITS), Tallman Truck Centre, Villeneuve Tank and Freight, and Benson Group. Combined, the companies have more than 500 trucks on the road.
“It is fantastic to see so many of our corporate citizens step up to help promote the City,” said Mayor Bob Kilger.
“The decals are attractive and deliver a message of the entire community working together towards a common goal,” says Yves Poirier, president of Minimax Express Transportation. “I am looking forward to hearing the reaction from those working in and around our Toronto terminal.”
The Cornwall Business Park is home to several trucking companies as well as distribution centres for some of Canada’s top companies, including the Benson Group.
“Our trucks are on the road constantly delivering auto parts from our distribution centre to the 140-plus Benson locations throughout the province,” said David Murphy, Benson Group Marketing and Promotions. “We are proud to call Cornwall home and happy to participate in this initiative.”
Promoting Cornwall via the use of moving vehicles is nothing new for Cornwall’s Seaway Express. Several years ago, the transportation company unveiled a 53’ trailer with ChooseCornwall graphics, and for the past two years it has run a pilot program with trailer decals on most of its fleet.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from the program, which drives people to visit ChooseCornwall.ca,” said Melanie Gauthier-Hamel of Seaway Express. “That Web site carries a lot of good information, including business news and employment opportunities – so it is a win-win partnership for both local companies and the community.”
City officials say more companies are expected to join the decal marketing initiative.
To view Transportation Matters’ video coverage of Cornwall’s rise in the logistics community, watch part one and part two of “Coming Up Cornwall.”