WINNIPEG, Man. — Bison Transport is preparing to open a new head office in Winnipeg tomorrow that has been designed with drivers top of mind.

Two days before the official opening, company officials have provided Truck News with a sneak peak at the key design details.

"This is not your traditional trucking head office," explains Jeff Pries, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, about the new 50,000 square-foot facility. "Drivers and dispatchers and accounting staff share common areas. This is a very well planned out facility for enhancing communications among all levels of our employees from the president to the driver."

Designed by award-winning architectural firm Smith Carter, the building also aims to promote Bison’s focus on health and wellness within the workplace. The airy, open-concept space also contains a full fitness centre, exercise equipment, lounge area and lunchroom.

And Tatonka, a driver development centre, is a cornerstone of the new building, and home to the Mark II training simulator, a classroom area, computer labs and a smaller training simulator. The Mark II is the only full size, full motion truck simulator in Canada.

"The new driver development centre is a recognition of how far we have come, from the time when we were just a small truckload carrier to today our bright future as a big league transport player", says Rob Penner, Vice President, Operations.

With new corporate headquarters in Winnipeg to centralize its fast growing North American operations and driver terminals in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton, Bison has grown from just over 18 tractors and 32 employees in 1991 to an organization with 650 new model trucks and over 1000 full time staff today.

For more information please visit Bison’s Web site: www.bisontransport.com