Trailers Canada’s Conny Weyers to retire

BRESLAU, Ont. — Trailer sales are booming and about 250 units are slated to be delivered in January to replenish a depleted inventory, but Conny Weyers won’t be sticking around to sell them.

Conny Weyers

The popular president and part owner of Trailers Canada, who has made a good living selling trailers for more than 40 years, says the time is right to step aside and spend more time enjoying the finer things in life.

“I had a triple bypass three years ago and I need to spend more time with things that cause less stress and more physical activity, not sitting behind a desk,” Weyers told Truck News. “Maybe even try golf.”

Weyers plans to spend more time at the cottage in the summer and travel in the winter, and exercise with his wife who is a fitness fanatic. While demand for trailers is currently high, Weyers isn’t tempted to stay in the business just to take advantage of the strong market.

“When business is booming, that’s the best time to leave,” he said. “It makes it easier for Bob to take over when the company is doing really well.”

Bob is Bob Breadner, who will take over the role of president when Weyers steps aside at the end of the year. His son, Bob Breadner Jr. is coming on-board as vice-president of sales and a third-generation trailer salesman.

“Conny has been a wonderful partner for the last 18 years and we wish him all success and happiness in this new stage of his life. He is a true icon in the business,” said Bob Breadner Sr., whose family founded R and S Trailer Rentals, parent company to Trailers Canada.

Weyers admits it will be an adjustment to take more time for himself.

“All I ever did in my life is work,” he said. “So I have to go out and recreate something that I never did. We’re going to head south for a few weeks this winter, maybe even a month. The longest I’ve ever been anywhere is a week, so to go for a month will be a totally different experience.”

Conny Weyers

The Breslau area is home to many successful trucking companies, and Weyers said it has been rewarding to share in their successes as they have grown their businesses together.

“The advent of the auto industry coming to this area has made some really big carriers, so the transport industry here has really boomed over the last 10-15 years,” Weyers said. “It’s almost amazing when you look at the amount of equipment that’s here now.”

Weyers is also encouraged with the level of sophistication that has returned to the business. A pet peeve of his has been that many customers traditionally thought of trailers as a box on wheels, making it an underappreciated asset.

“Now we’re starting to see highly-spec’d trailers, not just selling boxes on wheels,” he said. “People are looking at floors, wheels, tires, disc brakes, lighting systems, air deflection systems. We have seen a definite change in attitude over the last few years. We’ve seen a lot of buying taken away from the accounting people – it’s back to the owner and the shop people and the people who know what they need.”

Weyers says he’ll continue to watch the industry with interest and feels confident the company is being left in good hands.

“I’m proud of my whole workforce,” he said. “They’re some of the best people I’ve ever worked with. They’ve helped us grow this into one of the premiere trailer sales and leasing companies in Canada. We’ve got a great group of people who’re very dedicated and very knowledgeable. Bob has been in the industry all his life as well.”

 

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James Menzies is editorial director of Today's Trucking and TruckNews.com. He has been covering the Canadian trucking industry for more than 24 years and holds a CDL. Reach him at james@newcom.ca or follow him on Twitter at @JamesMenzies.


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