DARTMOUTH, N. S. –Armour Transportation Systems, one of largest and most recognizable transportation companies in Atlantic Canada, has thumbed its nose at the faltering world economy with the creation of a new multi- purpose facility in Dartmouth, N. S. A crowd of 500 strong were in attendance Feb. 5 for the grand opening of the terminal, located on 25 acres in the Atlantic-Gateway Halifax Logistics Park.

The $15-million project was completed in January.

President and CEO Wes Armour thanked the company’s employees, customers, suppliers, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and contractors, who he credited as making the construction of the new facility possible.

“The new Darmouth terminal will allow us to meet new growth and continued demand into the future,” Armour said. “By including capacity to handle container traffic as part of this complex, Armour is showing its commitment to the Atlantic Gateway and encouraging exporters and importers to make the Port of Halifax their port of choice.”

The facility features more than 100,000 sq.-ft. of logistics warehousing space featuring 22 loading doors, and cross-dock capacity with 60 doors. A three-bay, state-of-the-art maintenance depot is designed to service Armour’s fleet of more than 3,400 rigs.

Boasting twice the dock space of Armour’s previous terminal, the terminal has also implemented a cross-dock scanning system designed to effectively manage freight movement. Officials say a potential second phase could offer an additional 90,000 sq.-ft. of warehousing space.

Armour officials are calling the new facility a “total transportation solution under one roof” for warehousing, LTL and courier service needs.

“This investment in our Halifax facility demonstrates our commitment to providing our existing and future customers with specialized services, including those specifically designed to service the Port of Halifax and beyond,”Armour said.

“With the increasing growth in the Burnside Industrial Park as well as close proximity to the bridge for servicing downtown Halifax and freight arriving through the port, easy access to the highway and routes in all directions outside of the city, we are situated in the perfect location to meet this growth.”

Armour also took the opportunity to plug another new source of anticipation for businesses in the region: the creation of the Atlantic Gateway Council.

Armour, who will serve as interim chair of the council, said the group will “provide regional and global perspectives to support the ongoing development of Atlantic Gateway initiatives. Our interests are to support Canada’s international trade competitiveness, and to ensure the greatest possible long-term benefits to the entire Atlantic region.”

The group consists of 13 individuals from the private sector from a wide range of industries.

In addition to Armour, the following individuals have committed to being part of the council: Joseph Randell of Jazz Air; Doug Rose of Halterm Container Terminal; Henry Demone of High Liner Foods; Joseph Shannon of Atlantic Corporation; David Ganong of Ganong Bros; James Irving of Irving Pulp and Paper Limited; Derek Oland of Moosehead Breweries; Captain Sidney Hynes of Oceanex; Tanny (Bernard) Collins of P. F. Collins; Wade MacLauchlan of the University of Prince Edward Island; Francois Hebert of Canadian National Railway; and Patrick Sinnott of Canadian Tire Corporation.

Armour said the council will provide a strong business voice to inform the development of the Atlantic Gateway, and will complement existing Gateway Councils in Atlantic Canada.

Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, provided a pre-recorded video message for the event, congratulating Armour Transportation Systems for its new facility and also singing praises of the new Atlantic Gateway Council.

“I am very impressed with the calibre of the business leaders on the council -it speaks volumes about the private sector’s belief in the potential of the Atlantic Gateway. I look forward to a collaborative relationship with them over the coming months,” MacKay said in the message.

To see clips of the grand opening ceremony and for a tour of the facility, visit our WebTV show, Transportation Matters, at Trucknews.com.

To hear Armour’s thoughts on the challenges of operating in an economic downturn, watch Part 1 of our Decisions 2009 roundtable at www.trucknews.com/Video/transportationmatters39.asp.

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