DAY & ROSS TRANSPORTATION GROUP, a wholly-owned division of McCain Foods Limited, is acquiring WESBELL LOGISTICS SERVICES, a division of The Wesbell Group of Companies Inc. Wesbell Logistics is being acquired as a going concern and its operations will be merged with the Day & Ross Dedicated Transportation business under the leadership of Paul C. Mazze, currently the vice-president and general manager of Wesbell Logistics. Wesbell Logistics offers dedicated contract carriage and value-added parts distribution, the fastest growing segment in the trucking industry. Wesbell Logistics also offers complementary services such as warehousing and route management.

DHL has entered into a strategic agreement with Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the US, which will more than double the number of retail outlets offering DHL Express shipping services nationally. Walgreens is projected to expand to more than 6,500 locations by the end of 2008 with more than 1,600 stores open 24 hours a day. The new agreement is designed to service shippers sending and dropping off their packages via DHL for overnight, ground or international delivery. The DHL Shipping Spot will be staffed by Walgreens associates at Walgreens photo counters to weigh, label and ship customer packages to US or international destinations, creating a simple and easy shipping experience.

NEW ENGLAND MOTOR FREIGHT is partnering with Toronto’s CONCORD TRANSPORTATION to handle transborder shipments. Concord will receive NEMF freight in Chicago for delivery to Western Canada, in Toronto for Ontario deliveries, and in Montreal for shipments to Quebec and Atlantic Canada. To complete the exchange Concord freight destined for the Northeast United States will flow through NEMF. Con cord believes it can provide significant transit improvements to Western Canada over NEMF’s previous service partner.

CON-WAY has announced that its truckload operating unit, CONTRACT FREIGHTERS, INC. (CFI), will now be known as Conway Truckload. Con-way Inc. completed the $750 million acquisition of the privately held Joplin, Mo.-based international truckload carrier on Aug. 23, 2007.The new, combined Con-way Truckload forms a business unit of more than 2,800 tractors, 8,000 trailers and 3,500 employees, which is expected to bring in $500 million in annual revenues.

FLS TRANSPORTATION has opened two new offices in the United States; one in Kansas City, Miss. and one in Los Angeles, Calif. The Kansas City Operations Center and the Los Angeles Operations Center will expand FLS’ US presence.

PUROLATOR COURIER has been named one of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures, in the 2007 Corporate Culture Study conducted by Waterstone Human Capital. Business leaders across the country nominate companies that boast a strong corporate culture enjoyed by employees and customers. Organizers say Purolator was a winner based on its commitment to open communication, its healthy workplace, its support of employee development, and its commitment to respect for both customers and employees.

TRANSFORCE has finalized its deal to acquire the THIBODEAU GROUP of COMPANIES. Thibodeau is an LTL and truckload carrier headquartered in Portneuf, Que. It runs primarily in Quebec, Ontario and the US. Founded in 1945, Thibodeau has a stable of 1,530 tractors and trailers operating out of 14 terminals. In 2006, the company generated revenues exceeding $80 million. TransForce says the acquisition strengthens the company’s existing LTL and truckload operations, increasing capacity in the company’s Eastern Canada operations.

MANITOULIN GROUP founder Doug Smith can add yet another honour to his ever-growing list of accolades with his recently announced appointment to the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada is the highest honour which can be given to a Canadian citizen. The trucking pioneer is among 61 new members who will be presented with the honour this year. Smith was chosen, “For his contributions as a business leader, philanthropist and champion of economic and community development in Northern Ontario.” Smith was also recently awarded the OTA-Trailmobile Service to the Industry Award at the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual convention in November.