TORONTO, Ont. – Bison Transport, Consolidated Fastfrate, Overseas Express Consolidators (OEC) Canada and Challenger Motor Freight were recently recognized among the 50 Best Managed Canadian Companies.

The annual competition for privately held business supremacy, which is sponsored by the National Post, Andersen, CIBC, and the Queen’s School of Business, was founded in 1993 to recognize firms surviving despite harsh economic times of the day.

In order to qualify, companies must boast revenues between $10 million and $2 billion, have demonstrated strong growth over the past three years and must be at least 50 per cent Canadian-owned.

For Consolidated Fastfrate, of Woodbridge, Ont., its tight relationship with CP Rail helped carry the company into the 50 Best winner’s circle, but it wasn’t the only factor.

OEC, which has offices across the country in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver and offers logistics and transportation solutions to a wide range of clients, was also on the list of highly successful operators.

For Challenger’s top executive, Dan Einwechter, success has always been built on long-term relationships.

“If we can intimately understand our customers’ needs, we will not only meet their needs … (we’ll) exceed their expectations; we will become an integral part of business.”

Out west, Winnipeg’s Bison Transport made a triumphant return to the 50 Best list for what will be the carrier’s third stint at the top.

When a company wins the prestigious honor they are allowed to re-qualify for the two years immediately following. Scanning this year’s list of returnees reveals a strong trucking industry (and associated trades) presence: Due North Communications, Fountain Tire, Kriska Holdings, MSM Transportation, Quik X Transportation, the Wheels Group, and the Yanke Group of Companies.