RTL-Westcan bought by US tanker giant Kenan Advantage Group

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EDMONTON, Alta. — RTL Westcan, one of Canada’s largest niche bulk commodity haulers, has been sold to Kenan Advantage Group out of the US.

Kenan specializes in the logistics and transportation of fuels, chemicals and merchant gases. Westcan serves about 500 customers across its operation region.

The deal closed yesterday.

“The acquisition of RTL-Westcan further positions KAG as the elite North American bulk transportation services and logistics provider,” announced Dennis Nash, CEO of Kenan. “The expansion into Canada extends our footprint to better serve a broader customer base while capitalizing on a highly attractive marketplace. Western Canada is a growth region with increasing demand for transportation and logistics services as a result of expanding energy markets, increased mining activity and strong macro drivers.”

Westcan employs about 1,000 people, including 560 dedicated drivers. It runs about 480 tractors and 2,000 trailers and operates out of 16 terminals in Alberta, B.C, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.

“KAG adheres to the same RTL–Westcan culture of exceptional customer service and an uncompromised commitment to safety,” said Westcan CEO and president, Grant Mitchell. “Our core competencies align to make this merger a great outcome for our employees, and most importantly, our valued customers who are accustomed to the execution of safe and reliable services. The transaction also provides both companies with the capability to better serve our customers who are engaged in operations both in the US and in Canada.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity to provide a broader suite of services to our current customers and offer further value-added services to RTL–Westcan customers,” added Nash. “We intend to focus on growing with the combined customer bases while also pursuing strategic acquisitions that enhance our capabilities. Keeping true to our strategy of acquiring “best in class” companies, we are proud to have Grant Mitchell and the RTL-Westcan Group’s talented employees represent KAG as the flagship company for our newly established Canadian platform.”

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  • I won’t say “adios and good riddance” as we might be getting out of the frying pan and into the fire.
    Westcan was a terrible company. It will take time to figure out if KAG will be equally unfair or if they will actually rise above and be a jewel.

  • WTF are we being taken over by the F#$%^$ Amaericans??? first Yanke now westcan.soon Qline We are being sold out Sk.

  • I believe this is a great opportunity for everyone working with Westcan. Sara im sorry you feel this way about westcan. Im a driver with them, have been for over 14 years. I have tried other companies for a short period in that time. But realized what westcan has to offer is alot better than other companies. For example have you heard of a trucking company that will put their drivers in a hotel for resetting on the road? And paid resets away from home? Im not a lap dog for for westcan. But this company has tremendous opportunity for drivers. Im a company driver not a lease driver and my yearly end tax return has always increased. So for anyone out there looking for a stable company with great benefits and in my opinion real good people including office staff and drivers alike.

  • I also work for west can and yes they do put you in a hotel for resets and pay you if you are on the road. They still have a long way to go for driver comfort,such as laundry machines at the terminals and better shower facilities, Better mattresses in the trucks etc. One bad policy they have is you live in that truck, no inverters for appliances etc. Pay is sometimes good and sometimes nothing, They have a lot of Lapdogs who they feed continually, while others make nothing no use in going on