NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — Private fleets have some of the best eye candy splashed on the side of trailers in Canadian trucking, and last week the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada awarded some of the best looking companies in 2006.

The annual Vehicle Graphics Design competition, co-sponsored by 3M Canada, took place as part of PMTC’s General Meeting and Conference in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. last week. It invites nominnes from both the private and for-hire sector.

Winners include:

Neilson Dairy and Loblaw Companies (Tractor Trailer Combination); Fraisbec and Snugglers Furniture (Straight Truck); Molson and Muskoka Transport (Special Events/Promotion); Prairie Driver Training and Trailcon Leasing (Night-Time Safety); Assiniboine Zoo & Kitchener Utilities (Light Duty Commercial Truck); and Kriska and Roadline Transportation (Identity Fleet Graphics).

Meanwhile, PMTC Zurich Canada honored some of Canada’s safest fleets.

Judging is conducted by an independent panel and follows established criteria that concentrate on the company’s overall safety regime and its over the road record.

The 2006 award winners were: Pro Distribution Services, Burlington, Ont. (Small Fleet Category); Kraft Canada, Brampton, Ont. (Medium Fleet Category); and Hensall District Co-operative, Hensall, Ont. (Large Fleet).

“We welcome Zurich’s support of these awards as tangible recognition of the commitment to truck safety that they share with PMTC and to recognizing fleets with excellent safety records,” said Bruce Richards, President of PMTC.