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Choosing the right transport company is crucial for businesses that rely on freight transportation.  Selecting the right carrier from the many North American transport companies in the marketplace can be a real challenge.  At XTL Transport, we have over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and understand the importance of finding a reliable and sustainable transport partner. Here’s why experience, range of services, safety record, technology, customer service, diversity, environmental responsibility, specialized equipment, and reliability are important when selecting a transport company and how XTL Transport meets these requirements.

Top 10 Things to Look for in the Best Transport Companies:

Experience:

Experience is important in the transportation industry as it ensures that the company has the expertise to handle a diverse range of transportation needs. At XTL Transport, our decades of experience allow us to develop deep industry knowledge and provide our clients with efficient and reliable transportation solutions.

Range of Services:

A wide range of services is important as it allows clients to have all their transportation needs taken care of by one company, saving them time and money, as well as, strengthening a partnership with a leader in the transportation industry.   AT XTL Transport we offer comprehensive transportation, warehousing, and logistics services that can be tailored to fit our clients’ specific needs.  Clients leverage all services for an efficient logistics strategy executed and coordinated by a single provider.

Safety and Security Record:

When it comes to shipping goods, safety and security are paramount concerns. That’s why it’s important to choose a transportation service provider that prioritizes safety and has a proven track record of keeping their customers’ goods secure.

One way to ensure that a company takes safety and security seriously is by checking if they have any relevant certifications. For example, XTL Transport has numerous certifications, including FAST (Free and Secure Trade), C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism), PIP (Partners In Protection), CSA (Canadian Self-Assessment), PARS (Preapproved Review System) (Canada), PAPS (Preapproved PARS System) (USA), and SmartWay Certified. These certifications demonstrate XTL’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our customers’ goods.

In addition to these certifications,  at XTL we also have a robust safety program in place, which includes regular safety training for our drivers, the use of the latest safety technologies, and ongoing safety evaluations.

Technology:

Technology plays an increasingly vital role in the transportation industry, and businesses looking for a transportation service provider should consider a company that leverages technology to improve their services.

Here are some key technology factors to consider when selecting a transportation service provider:

1. New-model equipment policy – Look for a company that has a policy to keep their fleet up-to-date with the latest driver-assist and fuel-saving technologies. This can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also improve the safety and performance of their fleet.
2. GPS tracking – Ensure the transportation service provider you choose has live GPS tracking on all their tractors and trailers. This feature allows you to monitor the location of your shipment in real-time, enabling you to respond quickly to any issues or delays.
3. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) – Select a company that uses ELDs to track driver hours and ensure compliance with regulations in both the US and Canada.
4. EDI capabilities – Find a transportation service provider that is fully EDI capable, which will streamline your supply chain systems, and ensure efficient and accurate inventory management.
5. State-of-the-art reefer units – If you need temperature-controlled transportation, ensure the company you select has state-of-the-art reefer units that have live diagnostics and two-way communication.
6. Route optimization and dashcam reporting – Select a company that utilizes AI-enhanced route optimization and dashcam reporting to ensure the most efficient and safe routes are taken.
7. Robotic process automation – Consider a company that uses back-end robotic process automation to streamline operations and reduce manual errors.
8. Digital notifications, reporting, invoicing, and payments – Look for a transportation service provider that provides digital notifications, reporting, invoicing, and payments. This feature will help you easily manage your accounts with them and have access to all the necessary information.

At XTL Transport we utilize technology to provide seamless and efficient transportation services to our clients. XTL has a new-model equipment policy, live GPS tracking, ELDs, are fully EDI capable, and use state-of-the-art reefer units. As well, XTL utilizes AI-enhanced route optimization and dash cam reporting and back-end robotic process automation to streamline operations. XTL also offers digital notifications, reporting, invoicing, and payments, which make managing accounts with them straightforward and convenient.

XTL’s focus on technology not only improves our services but also reflects our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. State-of-the-art reefer units we utilize are not only cutting edge in design but also provide efficient and environmentally friendly transportation of temperature-sensitive goods. Additionally, AI-enhanced route optimization reduces the number of miles traveled, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

By leveraging technology in our operations, XTL Transport ensures that clients receive top-notch transportation services. However, it’s important to note that technology should not be the only factor to consider when selecting a transportation service provider. Other critical factors, such as experience, safety record, reliability, and customer service, must also be considered to ensure that you choose the best transportation service provider for your needs.

Customer Service:

When selecting a transportation service provider, excellent customer service is a critical factor to consider. Here are some key factors to consider when assessing a transportation service provider’s customer service:

1. Responsiveness: A good transportation service provider should be easy to reach and responsive to inquiries or concerns. They should have a customer service team that is available to assist customers promptly.
2. Reliability: Reliability is critical in the transportation industry. A good provider should have a reputation for delivering shipments on time and without incident. They should also have contingency plans in place in case of unexpected issues or delays.
3. Communication: Good communication is essential in the transportation industry. The provider should be able to provide regular updates on the status of shipments and any issues that arise.
4. Flexibility: A good provider should be flexible and able to adapt to changing needs or circumstances. They should be able to offer customized solutions to meet specific requirements.

XTL Transport meets all of these criteria and has won numerous awards for our commitment to customer service. XTL has been recognized as The Shipper’s Choice, a Carrier of Choice, and named as a Top Fleet Employer of Distinction by Trucking HR Canada. These awards are a testament to XTL’s dedication to providing exceptional customer service. Our team has a reputation for being responsive, reliable, and flexible, with a commitment to open and honest communication.

Diversity:

Diversity in the transportation industry is important as it allows companies to understand and meet the unique needs of a diverse client base. XTL Transport values diversity and is committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free from discrimination. We believe that our diverse team of professionals allows us to better understand and serve the needs of our clients.

Environmental Responsibility:

Environmental responsibility is important in the transportation industry as it helps to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change. XTL Transport is committed to reducing our environmental impact through the use of fuel-efficient vehicles, alternative fuels, and sustainable practices. We have implemented a number of initiatives to reduce our carbon emissions and improve our environmental performance.

Specialized Equipment:

Specialized equipment is important for companies that need to transport goods that require special handling or temperature control. XTL Transport offers cutting-edge temperature-controlled equipment that is both sustainable and designed for maximum efficiency, ensuring that our clients’ products arrive at their destination in the same condition they left.

Reliability:

Reliability is a key factor in the transportation industry, and XTL Transport is committed to providing our clients with on-time delivery and reliable transportation services. Our experienced team of professionals works tirelessly to ensure that our clients’ shipments are delivered safely and on time, every time.

Competitive Pricing:

Competitive pricing is important in the transportation industry as it helps clients to optimize their supply chain and reduce transportation costs. XTL Transport understands the importance of competitive pricing and works closely with our clients to provide cost-effective transportation solutions without compromising on quality or safety.

In conclusion, selecting the right transport company is crucial for businesses that rely on freight transportation. At XTL Transport, we have the experience, expertise, and commitment to provide our clients with reliable and sustainable transportation solutions that meet their unique needs. From our comprehensive range of services to our cutting-edge technology, exceptional customer service, diversity and environmental responsibility, specialized equipment, reliability, and competitive pricing, XTL Transport is the ideal choice for companies looking for a trusted and dependable transport partner.

Last month, XTL sat down with the Truckload Carrier Association in their latest article feature, Those Who Deliver. The article touches on several topics ranging from partnership and evolution, to training and development, and the many ways XTL practices corporate social responsibility.

As written by Cliff Abbot, “Partnership is a word that is used often at XTL Transport. It’s used to describe relationships with customers, vendors, and team members at every level, according to COO Craig Germain. ‘Our partnership approach is across our business,’ [Germain] stressed. ‘If you look at our key customers, it’s longstanding, decades-long partnerships. If you look at our key suppliers, who we buy our equipment from, or the carrier partners we work with in our logistics business, we build good partnerships. And the last, but just as important, piece of that partnership approach comes down to our people.'”

The article goes on to discuss the management philosophy behind the transition to hourly pay for highway drivers and the partnership with a highly qualified CDL school that trains new drivers.

“We do a lot of training, a lot of mentoring to develop the quality of driver we need,” [Germain] continued. “We’re always looking for experienced drivers — but at the same time, we know that the future success of XTL is about developing our own.”

Other core values highlighted in the article were diversity, sustainability and the importance of community; all of which come back down to XTL’s partnership approach.

To read the full article click the link here: Those Who Deliver with XTL Transport – TheTrucker.com

Special thanks to Cliff Abbott for writing the article.

Toronto, Ontario, October 26th – XTL Transport Inc has been recognized as a 2022 “Top Food Chain Provider” by Food Chain Digest, the official magazine of Food Shippers of America (FSA). FSA brings together a community of supply chain and logistics professionals from the food and beverage industry and their suppliers in order to facilitate education and networking opportunities and enable supply chain efficiency improvements.   

The Top Food Chain Provider program highlights third-party logistics companies (3PLs), freight brokers, motor carriers, rail/intermodal and maritime companies (ocean carriers and port authorities) that excel in capabilities and service to food transportation, logistics, distribution and supply chain management, according to Brian Everett, group publisher and editorial director of Food Chain Digest.  

“Food shippers rely upon their logistics partners and carriers to help manage a productive, efficient and seamless food chain,” said Everett. “A common theme for the companies on the 2022 list is that they have been providing significant value to food shippers at a time when demand in all modes has been surging while the people and assets needed to move and store goods and materials remain scarce. This program highlights leaders like XTL Transport Inc that are helping shippers navigate through their food chain challenges and accomplish their business goals.” 

According to Everett, this is the first year that Food Chain Digest has deployed this recognition program to serve as a resource to food shippers as they secure partners and capabilities in managing their supply chain strategy and execution.   

Here’s how the program works: First, nominations were made by food chain providers and reviewed by the staff of Food Chain Digest. Requirements of all candidates are that they are a 3PL, freight broker, motor carrier, rail/intermodal provider, or maritime company that generate at least U.S. $5 million in gross global sales. These nominations were evaluated based upon value provided to food shippers, achievements accomplished in the last 12-18 months, and solutions that have helped to solve a business problem of food shippers.  

Next, nearly 6,000 participants in the food industry voted for nominated companies that had the strongest reputation and value in the food chain technology segment. As part of the process, companies earning an adequate volume of votes are validated, which helped to identify the companies named to the list.   

To view a full list of companies named to the list, visit www.FoodShippers.org and click “Announcements.” 

We have the honour of receiving the accolade for Top Medium Fleet at Trucking HR Canada’s 2022 Award Gala! In addition, XTL took home Top Fleet Employer of Distinction for the second year in a row.

The national Top Fleet Employers program recognizes the importance of having solid HR policies in the trucking and logistics industry. Top Fleet Employers is recognition for those who meet HR standards of excellence.

This year 81 fleets were recognized by the program. This event measures trucking industry businesses against a series of benchmarks relating to human resources.

We couldn’t have done it without the tremendous effort and dedication of our team!

It was March 18, 1985, and Serge Gagnon, now President and CEO was nervously pacing the driveway at the newly formed XTL Transport Inc.’s Racine Road terminal. The first XTL truck was due to complete its fledgling journey from Montreal. It was the culmination of months of planning and strategizing. Would reality live up to the dream? 

Of course, the first XTL truck rolled up right on time, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

XTL Transport was initially formed to provide truckload service between points in Ontario and Quebec. XTL set up shop on either end of its principal route. And (if you can believe it) the company geared up with just four employees in Montreal, four employees in Toronto, 25 vans, six owner operators, a black rotary phone, a card table and a few folding chairs. 

Only a few months after starting up operations, XTL added warehousing capabilities to provide customers with break bulk services in both Toronto and Montreal. This break bulk service which brought large paper rolls down from the major paper mills in Quebec became one of the competitive advantages of XTL’s operation. For this purpose, XTL introduced tri-axle vans which allowed a larger payload to be transported across Ontario and Quebec. Loads on these vans were then broken down at the new Toronto distribution center and shipped to the U.S. in smaller quantities where weight restrictions were considerably more stringent. The system increased the volume of freight that was shipped by XTL into the U.S. and further enabled the company to compete with short-haul U.S. carriers. 

In 1992, XTL distribution expanded again. The Montreal warehouse facility moved to Lachine and tripled in size from 15,000 square feet to 45,000 square feet. Not to be outdone, Toronto’s warehouse and office facilities moved to Rexdale Boulevard in Etobicoke, thereby acquiring warehouse space of 80,000 square feet. The new Lachine and Etobicoke distribution centres offered private rail accessibility allowing XTL to further enhance their value-add in the break bulk department through boxcar services.  

In 2004, XTL built a new 100,000 square foot warehouse in Dorval, a major milestone for XTL’s Distribution presence in Quebec. The facility also sported rail siding to ensure the company continued to meet the growing needs of their customer base. At the same time, XTL doubled its warehouse space in Toronto, securing additional square footage at their home on Rexdale Boulevard and restored portions of the rail siding that had been filled in by previous tenants. This increased XTL’s receiving capacity from three boxcars to 14 per day and continues to be a sought-after service in the GTA. 

With over a quarter million square feet of warehouse space in the Toronto and Montreal markets, XTL Distribution was well on its way to becoming a leader in Warehousing and Distribution.  

Fast forward to today and XTL Distribution Inc has grown to nearly 1.5 million square feet across 7 facilities, and is proudly located in 4 of the major distribution centres in Canada; Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and most recently Calgary, AB opening July 2022. The opening of the Calgary DC is an exciting milestone because it means XTL now has all three of their distinct service offerings in each of their four main operating centers – asset-based transportation, logistics, and warehousing & distribution.  One thing XTL continues to do to this day is invest in continuous improvements for the business.  Not only is XTL still located at the Etobicoke head office on Rexdale Boulevard since 1992, two other facilities have been added to support the growth of long-term partners in the GTA area. Similarly, the Dorval warehouse that opened in 2004 became the first of XTL’s facilities to receive HACCP certification in 2021 to complement the evolving product mix. This diversification was fueled by the construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in Montreal-East in order to maintain the rail siding after the local REM public transit project disrupted the rail accessibility in Dorval. The new facility, fully equipped with rail-siding and the latest in energy efficiency technologies, stands at 333,000 square feet and is XTL’s largest facility to date.   

After initially reaching the west coast in 2019, the latest chapter in XTL Distribution’s story opens at 1980 104 Ave NE in Calgary, AB July 2022. Always with the partnership in mind, this move was driven by XTL’s desire to provide customers with the most competitive advantage for their supply chains. Calgary is quickly becoming a preferred transportation hub in Western Canada for a multitude of reasons. When comparing to Vancouver, over all supply chain costs are lower in Calgary. This is because Calgary is strategically located for transportation in all directions resulting in lower distribution costs to nearly all of the major cities within North America. This outweighs the higher landed transportation costs that would otherwise be incurred on shipments that originate from Asia. Cost savings are actualized further if supplies are sourced from within North American or European markets. When looking at factors such as leasing or purchasing land and real estate, costs are once again higher in Vancouver. Similarly, there is less available land for future commercial development in the Greater Vancouver Area which will continue to drive existing costs up in that market. With a strong, educated workforce and room for future growth, Calgary is the place to be, and we can help.  

Contact us now to see how we can bring the Calgary advantage to you.  

The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has received a lot of attention recently as more companies try to satisfy the public demand to make their safety, social and environmental impacts a centerpiece of their corporate policies. Briefly put, CSR is a business model that helps a company understand and be accountable for all its effects in the community in which it operates. The idea is for companies to acknowledge that impact and enact policies and procedures that help to mitigate it.   

Corporate Social Responsibility is not a new concept at XTL. It has long been a focus of the way we do business. And one of the most critical aspects of our approach to CSR is safety. We have based this approach to safety on a single premise: safe driving practices lead to safer roads, which means safer communities. But for us, safety implies much more than simply training our drivers to drive safely, although we do that too. It is entrenched in our policies, in the technologies we embed in our systems, in the way we manage and inspect our equipment and even in the way we purchase our insurance. Here is a quick look at all the ways that XTL reaffirms its commitment to our corporate safety responsibility every day. 

Safety First Policies   

Our safety-first policies start with a rigorous onboarding procedure for our new employees, take for example our cross border drivers. After 2.5 days of orientation, new drivers receive a minimum of two weeks of on-the-job training with an experienced mentor. This is followed by 30-, 60- and 90-day reviews as well as annual reviews for all drivers regardless of experience.  

When an adverse event happens, the director and trainers review it to determine the root cause and then resolve it with corrective actions and remedial training if necessary. They may also harness the information they gather about the event to use in training opportunities for the entire fleet. All events, including hard braking, collision mitigation, speeding and stability control, are captured on video and reviewed by this team. Telematic data trends are gathered and tracked in a scorecard.  

However, our actions are not just reactive when it comes to safety. We have also kept a focus on preventative measures that encourage and reward safe behaviours. This year, we have introduced a recognitions program that celebrates our drivers for their safety achievements, including individual awards tied to the number of years a driver has remained accident-free.  

When they are out on the road, our drivers understand that they can and should stop when it is not safe, regardless of their hours of service. This includes if they are feeling tired, drowsy or ill. We further instruct our drivers to stop in a safe rest area when storms become strong or dangerous.  

Our industry typically pays by the mile, which means drivers receive the same pay no matter how long their trip takes, hence creating a mindset for the driver to rush and complete their trip as quickly as possible. However, at XTL, we incentivize safety. We pay our drivers based on the hours worked to ensure their focus is on safety rather than speed. They do not need to make up for lost time or income.  

Insurance Captive 

XTL has joined with a group of 20 plus other best in class carriers to form a Captive Insurance Group. This means that our safety scores directly affect the entire group and the group premiums we all pay. It makes us accountable not only to ourselves, but also to every other member of our insurance group. As far back as 2010, the Safety group within the captive created a campaign on the importance of professional behaviour and the impact it has on our safety. At XTL we continue to build on this with the mantra that no load is more important than your safety; in a heartbeat, things can change forever.  

Safe Driving Technologies 

XTL governs our trucks far more stringently than is required by governmental legal mandates, which helps keep everyone safe but also reduces our impact on the environment. To accomplish this, we have invested in critical tractor technology, including:  

• Collision avoidance systems 
• Blind spot radar detection 
• ABS with stability and roll control 
• Satellite and GPS systems 
• Electronic logs  
• Speed limiters fleet wide 
• Automatic transmissions 

To ensure we can implement these new technologies as soon as they are available, we have also reduced our tractor trade cycle. Our tractors are, on average, less than two years old and our trailers less than five years.  

We continue to emphasize safety aspects in our social media and communications to our employees, including our recent support of distracted driving awareness month in April.  

Our commitment to ensuring the safety of our people and the communities in which we operate is integrated into every aspect of life at XTL. It is the focus of our support of continuous training, acts of appreciation and recognition and, of course, in our commitment to purchasing the latest in safety technologies for our fleet. However, the most crucial aspect of our approach to safety remains professional behaviour.  

We have stayed true to a simple mantra first voiced in that ground-breaking 2010 campaign: no load is more important than safety.  

Earlier this year, we sat down with SmartWay to discuss the benefits of our partnership and how XTL is driving for a greener tomorrow. In honour of Earth Day this month, we wanted to share a teaser from that interview.  

  The Power of Partnership 

 XTL Transport has built its 35-plus-year success on long-term partnerships. Since being founded in 1985, the privately owned company has forged close connections with a growing roster of customers. XTL Transport works with them to create customized interplant, direct-to-customer, and end-to-end supply chain solutions. As a consequence of this emphasis on understanding and meeting the specialized requirements of each customer, the company has nurtured trusted partnerships with many Fortune 100 and 500 companies in the food, pharmaceutical, retail, pulp and paper, electronics and consumer-packaged goods industries. 

 XTL Transport’s partnerships extend to its suppliers of trucks and trailers. Throughout its evolution, the company has worked with trusted suppliers Eaton, Cummins and International to develop increasingly fuel-efficient engines and integrate fuel-efficiency best practices into its equipment. As a result, XTL Transport has developed a customized fleet of 456 power units and 1,273 dry and temperature-controlled trailers. 

 “All our activities and resulting success are built on deep relationships,” said Luc Francoeur, XTL Transport’s vice-president of sales and marketing. “We take the time and effort necessary to forge solid partnerships, because we have learned that they work best for our company over the long haul—and we’re in business for the long haul. We instill this spirit throughout the organization.” 

 A new enduring relationship 

The spirit Luc speaks of is evident in XTL Transport’s decision to add rigour to its efforts to become more fuel efficient. In 2008, the company established ties with a new long-term partner that would help benchmark its performance and inspire new sustainability initiatives: SmartWay. Informed and inspired by the program, XTL Transport was able to gain better perspective on how its sustainability efforts were performing and then close performance gaps and focus on areas for improvement. 

 The biggest benefit of its partnership with SmartWay came when XTL Transport instituted its personalized driver management program. The initiative was introduced to support the drivers and give them open, direct lines of communication. It is anchored on a data-based emissions audit, diligently studied by drivers and key members of the company’s safety and maintenance team.  

 “The driver management program has been a win-win-win,” said Jason Wood, XTL Transport’s senior director of fleet maintenance. “It’s a win for our drivers, a win for our customers, and a win for us as an environmentally conscious business. Over the last decade, we’ve achieved a 20 percent increase in fuel economy.” 

 Driving for a greener tomorrow 

The experience of these partnership successes is inspiring XTL Transport to carry out a further series of emissions-reducing reforms… 

Stay tuned to see what we’ve got in store for the future upon release of the full interview.  

We are honoured to be recognized by Trucking HR Canada for the Top Fleet Employer of Distinction award for the second year in a row.

“The Top Fleet Employers program is a national program recognizing the importance of having and implementing sound HR policies and practices in the trucking and logistics industry. All applicants were rated on topics including recruitment and retention practices, workplace culture, compensation, training and skills development, and innovative HR practices. Additionally, employers who have been recognized in the program for a minimum of 5 years are awarded Top Fleet Employer of Distinction status.” – Trucking HR Canada

We are proud of our team for this achievement, and would like to congratulate all the other winners helping to move our industry forward.

Thank you!