TRIMAC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES has named Edward Malysa its new president and chief operating officer. Malysa has worked for Trimac in various capacities for more than 30 years, the company says, most recently serving as executive vice-president and chief operating officer. Prior to that, he was vice-president and chief financial officer. Malysa replaces Maurice McCaig, who is stepping down as president but remaining on as director and a trustee of Trimac Income Fund.

CANADA CARTAGE has announced David Bacon is joining the company as senior vice-president, finance and chief financial officer. Bacon boasts a varied background of more than 20 years business experience with public and private companies, focusing mostly on strategy, corporate finance, governance and financial management. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer of SkyPower Corp., helping build the company from start-up to its place as one of Canada’s largest renewable energy developers, Canada Cartage announced.

In its continuing efforts to expand service into the north, ROSENAU TRANSPORT has announced it has recently completed construction of a 10,000 sq.-ft. terminal in Fort Nelson, B.C. The new terminal is located on three acres of paved and fenced yard and will enhance the marshalling of freight destined for the many gas project sites in the area, the company announced. “This shows our commitment to the community and to the Horn River project,” said Rosenau Transport president Carol Rosenau, adding Fort Nelson is serviced overnight from the company’s Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton terminals. “This is another piece to the puzzle of our expansion into the north.”

ROBERT TRANSPORT has placed an order for 180 Class 8 Peterbilt trucks fueled by natural gas. The significant order comes in partnership with Gaz Metro, which will be installing three refuelling sites along the 401 corridor between Quebec City and Mississauga, Ont. The trucks will be powered by Westport HD’s 15-litre GX engine and will run off liquefied natural gas (LNG). “Operating natural gas trucks helps reduce one of our largest input costs and reduces our carbon footprint,” said Claude Robert, president and CEO of Robert Transport. “This is a win-win for both the environment and our company.”

BRUCE R. SMITH, a large Ontario-based flatbed and reefer fleet with a storied 60-year history, has emerged from bankruptcy protection thanks to a cash injection from Ron Tepper’s Tepper Holdings Inc. (THI Group). On Oct. 27, the company emerged from Canada’s Companies Creditors’ Arrangement Act (CCAA) protection and management says it is now looking to put the recession behind it. Bruce R. Smith went into bankruptcy protection in the fall of 2009. It has since restructured its business and affairs.

BTC LOGISTICS has been purchased by FRASER DIRECT. Both firms analyze companies’ supply chain operations for design and implementation of cost and service improvements. BTC Logistics will continue operating from London, with the addition of the Fraser Direct suite of services. The office will be relocating to the Airport district in the New Year, according to officials, expanding the company’s current freight forwarding department and adding warehouse space.

TRANSFORCE subsidiary CANPAR has won a major, three-year contract with the government of Ontario to provide overnight courier services. The contract kicked in Sept. 1 and runs through to 2013 with two extension options, the company announced. Canpar says it will hire 90 new drivers and add new vehicles to its fleet to meet demand. The deal involves about 16,300 shipments per day, with 95% being completed within Ontario.

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