BREAKING NEWS: MacKinnon Transport files NOI; Laidlaw to take over van line

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GUELPH, Ont. — Trucknews.com has learned MacKinnon Transport has filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act in order to restructure the company.

Meanwhile, Laidlaw Van LP has purchased the van division of MacKinnon Transport, according to a notice sent to drivers from Alex MacKinnon, senior vice-president, finance and administration.

In a message to driving staff yesterday, MacKinnon said: “Let me stress that this is NOT a bankruptcy of Mackinnon Transport, we have a NOI to make a proposal which offers creditor protection strategy, that will provide the time and stability necessary to complete financial restructuring, which will make MacKinnon Transport a stronger industry competitor with a renewed financial outlook.”

A driver’s meeting will be held Saturday with senior company officials. Calls to MacKinnon Transport have not yet been returned.

In a follow-up message to drivers, MacKinnon said all van division drivers and owner/operators will be employed by Laidlaw. Laidlaw is owned by Contrans. At the recent Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) convention, Contrans president and COO Greg Rumble hinted the company was on the lookout for further acquisitions.

“It’s a great time to be looking for acquisitions,” Rumble said at the time. “You get a chance to see what a company was able to do through the toughest economic times in 25 years. If the company has done reasonably well in the 2008-2010 period, I’m willing to pay for that. We’ll pay a fair market value and allow the company to continue doing what it has been doing. We’re prepared to pay for companies that have done well through the recession.” 

Stay tuned to Trucknews.com for updates as they become available. MacKinnon Transport has a 75-year history and has always been considered one of Canada’s premier flatdeck carriers, operating approximately 270 trucks. It has also won fleet safety awards from Volvo Trucks and the Truckload Carriers Association. Mackinnon has also been named a Best Fleet to Drive For under a program run by CarriersEdge and the Truckload Carriers Association.

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  • MacKinnon’s restructuring is going to be an interesting case to watch. I’m curious to see if they’re going to sell off piece by piece or if they’ll be able to find financing to keep their remaining assets.

    This case does seem to follow the trends we noticed in our most recent Reply

  • Many years of poor management has come to this point. As someone who is familiar MacKinnon drivers and customers and the changes in the past few years, the wrong decisions were made that was not in the interest of all involved.

  • I am sorry to hear about this Mac Kinnon was a great company to work for i worked there for 7 years good luck to all

  • I can’t believe they did this just before the holiday’s. They didnt even give the employee’s a chance to look for another job. They have families to feed and cloth too.Workin for Laidlaw is taking quite the pay cut. And do we have to wait the 90 days before we get any benifits? Right now my husband is stuck in New Brunswick cause they have cut the fuel cards. Which he doesn’t have enough fuel to come home. Not to mention he’s right in the middle of a snow storm. No fuel means no heat either. I know at this time of year we’re suppose to be thankfull for what we have. Well right now we dont’ know if were even going to have much of Christmas cause of this. My husband came to Mckinnon cause this was the place he wanted to retire. But now he has to do what keeps us off the streets. This is not what he intended on when he applied. They should of never highered anyone if they new things weren’t right ever since they bought that one contract. I’m praying for a miricle this Christmas to help us out of this situation.

  • Not a surpise at all to see MTI file an NOI. The same VERY POOR leadership has brought them to this point. The writing was on the wall see’ing their VP of Finance and VP of Operations jump ship. Don’t let the words of their leader mis-lead you why these key positions left the company. They bailed because they visioned where they were heading.

  • I agree with Dale.I am sure everyone else besides management is to blame.When they wrote Walker of they did it 1 week before christmas sounds like the dont celebrate Christmas