SAN DIEGO, CA – Lachine, QC-based Trans-West was honored with a SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as an industry leader in supply-chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.

The awards were handed out Tuesday morning at the American Trucking Association’s annual conference in San Diego, CA.

“Trans-West adopted different strategies to reduce fuel consumption,” explained Trans-West VP Finances Denis Paquet.

“We equipped our trailers with skirts, trailer tails and super single tires,” Paquet said.  

“We also equipped our trucks with 6X2 traction, super-single tires and continuous pro-active engine adjustment to maximize fuel economy.  We also trained our drivers in fuel-economy methods and we provide them a report of their performance after each trip.”

Paquet says the initiatives have saved over half a million gallons of diesel a year and generated a saving of 13 percent.

Trans-West was one of 44 carriers to receive this distinction, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay’s nearly 3,000 partners.

“SmartWay carriers deserve our gratitude for a decade of progress in cutting carbon pollution and other air pollutants,” said Chris Grundler, Director, EPA’s Office of Transportation & Air Quality. “They have reduced thousands of tons of dangerous pollutants and raised the bar on a sustainable transportation future, all while saving money in fuel costs.” 

Trans-West was founded by Real Gagnon in 1987 as a reefer company with team drivers moving loads in Eastern Canada and across the U.S.A.

In 2007 Trans-West ran 18 million miles and this year, 2014, Trans-West will be travelling almost 35 millions miles.