MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Manitoulin Global Forwarding has purchased Canfleet Logistics Ltd., of Vancouver, B.C.

The deal is the latest of a number of investments Manitoulin has made in Western Canada in recent years to build its offerings and coverage in the region.

According to Dwayne Hihn, president, Manitoulin Global Forwarding, the purchase of Canfleet, with its export capabilities to Asia, also strengthens Manitoulin’s access to high-growth Asian markets, and advances its overall global reach.

“In order to continue to meet our customers’ emergent needs, Manitoulin is maintaining a trajectory of steady growth by acquiring businesses that improve our geographic reach or which provide high-quality offerings that complement our own,” he said.

“Canfleet delivers on both accounts with improved access to Asia and excellent exportation capabilities that mirror Manitoulin’s importation strengths. We now have the expertise and volume capabilities to create greater efficiencies for our customers, whether exporting or importing, to Asia or around the world.”

Founded in 2005, Canfleet provides integrated logistics solutions, ocean freight operations, and global supply chain management to customers in the lumber, agriculture, scrap metal, and automobile export industries. It also provides refrigerated transportation for perishable goods.

“An ongoing quest for Manitoulin is to extend our customers’ global reach, with an emphasis on Asia because the West to Asia and intra-Asia lanes are only going to get busier,” said Gord Smith, chief executive officer, Manitoulin Group of Companies. “To that end, earlier this year, Expedite Plus, a member of Manitoulin Group of Companies, launched sites in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing to strengthen the company’s ability to manage urgent shipments throughout Asia and beyond. Now, we can make even greater inroads into Asia through Canfleet’s Asian markets expertise coupled with its ideal location in Vancouver, British Columbia — Canada’s gateway to Asia.  Canfleet is an important addition to the Manitoulin family and we are delighted to welcome them aboard.”

Under the purchase agreement, all Canfleet employees, including its founder and former owner, and all assets have transferred to Manitoulin Global Forwarding, a member of the Manitoulin Group of Companies.