TORONTO — Vernon Erb, founder of the Erb Group of Companies, was named the 2008 OTA-Trailmobile Service to Industry Award for his contributions to the trucking industry.

The presentation was made during the Ontario Trucking Association’s 82nd annual convention in Toronto last week.

The annual award recognizes an individual who, by their commitment, vision, leadership and unstinting service, has made an outstanding contribution to the development and success of the trucking industry in Ontario.

Vernon Erb began his career in trucking in 1956. After a short period delivering bread around Wellesley Township, he was hired by Don Sindall Transport in New Hamburg, Ont. After marrying Viola and a desire to be home more often, Erb bought his first truck in 1959. Over the early years of his career he owned a dump truck, feed truck and an egg truck – until 1965 when he bought his first refrigerated truck.

When times were good he conservatively grew the business. During five decades the company grew from that one truck to a fleet of more than 700 vehicles, more than 900 trailers and 10 terminals in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Pennsylvania.

With his wife Viola at his side – and for many years as his accountant, payroll administrator and office manager – the Erbs built a solid local business, which began to span the continent.

Erb’s hard work spilled over into the community and he has been recognized on a handful of occasions, including the 1991 Citizen of the Year Award for Community Service, Wilmot Township; 1993 Governor General’s Commemorative Medal; 2003 Colonel Robert Hardie Award of Lifetime Achievement, OTA; and 2003 Induction into the Waterloo County Hall of Fame.

For many years, Erb served on both the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the OTA.

In 1999, he stepped back from daily management of the company and his eldest son, Wendell, now oversees the business as general manager. Vernon’s daughter Karen and youngest son Darryl also work for the company, and several grandchildren have become the third generation of Erbs to contribute their skills to the family business.