LACOLLE, Que. – J.E. Fortin celebrated its 90th anniversary with the unveiling of its 426th Truck, a 2013 Freightliner Cascadia equipped with a Detroit DD15 engine.  

The truck is the 400th truck purchased by Jean-Claude Fortin, and also has the number “90” painted on the side to highlight J.E. Fortin’s 90 years in business. The celebration was held to mark the achievement at the Quebec-based J.E. Fortin’s headquarters.   

J.E. Fortin – which specializes in temperature-controlled transportation – spec’d the truck with an aluminum frame, leather interior and a custom paint job to commemorate the occasion. The truck features a special deflector logo denoting that it is the 400thtruck.

Jean-Claude Fortin assumed purchasing responsibilities in 1961 when the fleet consisted of 26 trucks and purchased his first truck, a used Freightliner. Now they have a fleet of more than 100 trucks, 80 percent of which are Freightliner vehicles. J.E. Fortin employs more than 100 drivers, and the commemorative 400th Freightliner truck will be driven by its top drivers as a reward for their hard work.

“We have always felt that our Freightliner trucks are well-built, reliable trucks that also maximize driver comfort,” said Jean-Claude Fortin, president of J.E. Fortin. “We have an outstanding relationship with Freightliner — they listen to our needs and continue to provide us with the right solutions for our business.”

Added Raymond Beriau, regional sales manager, for Daimler Trucks Canada: “We greatly value our relationship with J.E. Fortin Inc. and continue to identify ways to bring value to their business. By building long-term partnerships with our customers, we can understand their specific needs and make recommendations that will positively impact their bottom lines.”