GORE BAY, Ont. –From its humble beginnings as a local delivery company on Manitoulin Island to its current role as a global transportation provider, Manitoulin Transport has reason to celebrate this year as it turns 50.

The company was founded in 1960 by Doug Smith, who is now chairman of the Manitoulin Group of Companies and a member of the Order of Canada. The company was founded in Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island with just a couple vehicles making local deliveries on the island.

“This year we’re celebrating a true Canadian success story,” said Gord Smith, president, Manitoulin Transport. “A story created from the ground up, driven by customer commitment and achieved through the dedication of our people.”

Through the years, Manitoulin has made strategic acquisitions to expand its scope of services in Canada, the US and beyond. Today, the company runs more than 60 Canadian terminals and through partnerships in the US has access to 250 service centres south of the border. Manitoulin has a fleet of more than 2,700 pieces of equipment, providing truckload, LTL, transborder, rail intermodal, private fleet, guaranteed delivery and specialized services.

“This is a time for ref lection on where we’ve been and where we plan to go,” said Gord Smith. “We’re always looking for ways to do better and do more, and that’s something we hope to do for another 50 years.”