Challenger acquires Elgin Motor Freight

Challenger Investments, the parent company of Cambridge, Ont.’s Challenger Motor Freight, has acquired Elgin Motor Freight, a full-service transportation carrier based in St. Thomas, Ont.

Elgin, formed in 1969 as a leasing company, has been offering transportation services since 1990. It employs 120 people with a fleet of 110 tractors and 180 trailers.

The move to acquire Elgin Motor Freight comes shortly after the hard-charging Challenger added a new facility in Bresleau, Ont. to serve its Special Commodities Division, a driver training centre and a body shop.

“This is an investment in our shared future,” said Dan Einwechter, president of Challenger. “This deal will bring mutual benefits and efficiencies to both companies, and better position us to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

Challenger and Elgin will continue to operate as two separate and distinct companies. However, the move will give Elgin access to Challenger’s technology, quality control and logistics systems. Elgin will also get help from Challenger in areas such as human resources, safety and training. And both companies will work together to optimize routes and improve their purchasing power.

Jim Waldie, president of Elgin Motor Freight, will stay on at Elgin until his planned retirement in two years.

“When we went looking for an industry alliance, Challenger was an obvious choice. Like Elgin, Challenger is a privately held, owner-managed company, with a proven commitment to customer satisfaction, quality, safety and performance,” said Waldie. “By joining the Challenger team, Elgin can now offer new and better opportunities to our customers, owner/operators and employees.”

Challenger employs 950 people with a fleet of 700 tractors and 1800 trailers. Since its formation in 1975, the company has been twice recognized with the Gold Award of Excellence for Trucking Fleets for its achievements in the areas of safety, efficiency and business excellence. In addition to its new facility in Bresleau, Ont., Challenger operates terminals in Cambridge, Vancouver and Montreal.