ALDERGROVE, B. C. – Seemingly thumbing its nose at rumour-mongerers who have questioned the health of Challenger Motor Freight, the company has just announced the opening of a new 10-acre terminal here.

The new location comes complete with driver amenities and offices and more than doubles its previous space, in order to accommodate further growth in the west, the company has announced.

“Challenger’s B. C. operation has seen double-digit growth each of the past four years,” said Brian Jones, regional manager for Challenger. “We began operations in the west 14 years ago primarily as a service to one of Canada’s largest couriers. It’s now home to more than 100 B. C. drivers and inside staff, and we’re still growing.”

The new terminal houses truck maintenance and service facilities and in-house fueling capabilities. It also complies with the US C-TPAT security program with advanced yard safety. Challenger noted in a release that the timing of the expansion coincides with the downsizing or amalgamation of many competitors.

The company said the new facility poises it to grow its regional business in B. C., Alberta, Washington State and Oregon with its fleet of tandem, tridem and quad-axle trailers.

“We’ve become a major player in Western Canada’s tri-axle and the US quad-axle business, quadrupling our volumes within the Pacific Northwest and Alberta/B. C. in the last two years, and we’ll be exploring new opportunities in drayage, warehousing, air and ocean services through our Logistics Division,” Jones said. “The opportunities for growth are significant, and we are positioned and prepared to supply these services to our customers.”

Challenger has not yet set a date for an open house at its new western terminal, which will be home base for more than 100 drivers and administration staff.