It's easy to develop a tagline that sounds good - but to truly build an operation around those key words takes commitment and hard work. The ECL Group of Companies has 60 years of experience walking the talk and demonstrating on a daily basis its commitment to safety, reliability and community. “Over the last 60 years we've built a good, honest, reputable, safe, innovative and enjoyable company,” says Chairman of the Board, Tom Fredericks.
ECL Transportation: 60 Years of Driving Success
Since its inception as Economy Feed and Transfer in rural southern Alberta in 1937, ECL has built one of the region's largest transportation companies by building relationships, focusing on safety and becoming a part of the communities it serves. From two trucks hauling dry freight and fuel for farmers in southern Alberta, ECL now has a fleet of nearly 300 vehicles moving freight, fuel and pressurized gas on routes throughout North America. “I have heard a lot of people at the market level refer to us as the carrier of choice,” says Scott Brown, Vice President of Transportation. “That's because we see ourselves as an integral part of our customers' business - we aim to enhance their profitability and that philosophy permeates the entire organization.” ECL Transportation aims to enhance its customers' profitability through five key areas: fleet; technology; reach and capacity; safety and people.
Fleet
The quality of ECL's fleet is paramount to the service it provides. To that end, the company's vehicles are continuously upgraded meaning fewer breakdowns, less downtime and reduced maintenance costs allowing drivers to focus on getting to their destination safely and on time. “Drivers like working for ECL,” says Brown. “They know they're safe in our vehicles and they know they're valued as an integral part of the business.” ECL's freight division provides service to industries ranging from agriculture and oil and gas to manufacturing and waste disposal.
The freight fleet features:
- More than 75 vans
- More than 30 flat-decks
- Tailgate capability allowing delivery to non-dock sites
- Specialized vehicles to carry dangerous goods and hazardous waste
The liquid and pressurized gas division hauls fuel all over North America in a fleet of 150 featuring:
- Aluminum Petroleum Fleet - 8-axle B-Train and tridem units
- LPG Fleet - 8-axle B-Train, 7-axle B-Train, and 5-axle tandem units
ECL cycles its tractors on a five-year term, ensuring it is using the latest technology to maximize safety and efficiency and to reduce maintenance costs.
Technology
ECL vehicles contain the latest in satellite tracking and electronic logbook technology. Using XATA technology, the company knows where every single load is at any given time giving customers that added layer of comfort and security. “We are able to achieve a great deal of efficiency and offer the best service through the use of the latest technological advancements in logistics,” says Brown. “Technology like satellite tracking and electronic log books not only save time and money, but allow the customer to know exactly where their shipment is at all times. The ability to provide that kind of accurate knowledge has proven to be an excellent value-added service for our clients.” XATA also allows ECL to monitor the fleet on a number of performance criteria helping to improve all aspects of operation and customer service. Dispatchers are also trained on state-of-the-art equipment to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Reach and Capacity
With a strategic network of service centres, ECL's freight division can dependably and efficiently move products across Canada and into the States. The freight division is FAST (Free and Secure Trade) qualified so the company is able to move goods across the border with greater speed, certainty and usually at a reduced cost of compliance. ECL is also licensed and capable of hauling hazardous waste throughout the lower 48 states. In Canada, the freight division delivers to more than 40 dedicated sites every week and operates from coast to coast. Through the company's terminals division, it also has cross-docking and trans-loading capacity making the transfer of goods - including dangerous goods - from truck to truck, rail to truck or to thirdparty carriers easy and safe. ECL's fuel division carries gasoline, diesel, methanol and other liquid products to all points across western North America. The company is equipped to handle in-town, off-road (off-highway) and service bulk station deliveries.
Safety
ECL Transportation puts the highest priority on safety and the company's impressive record reflects this commitment. ISO 9001:2000 certification ensures ECL has the best worldwide standards for its organization and the customers it serves. “When a company earns ISO certification, customers know they're getting the best, most conscientious service available in the marketplace,” says Brown. “It's not easy to achieve and maintain ISO status, so we are constantly using checks and balances to ensure we're meeting and exceeding, not only our own standards, as well as industry regulations and our customers' expectations.” ECL's internal Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) program includes the latest tools, training and detailed surveillance to ensure the highest standards of safety are met.
The program includes:
- Comprehensive and ongoing driver training programs
- In-house emergency response system
- Regularly scheduled safety meetings for all ECL Transportation drivers and staff
- Performance and near-miss reporting
- Behavioural safety programs
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Occupational health assessments
- Critical job task inventories and job hazard analysis
An integral part of the QHSE program is the 24-hour emergency response team staffed with certified Remedial Measures Advisors (RMAs). These experts have received intensive training in the handling of and response to incidents involving hazardous and pressurized goods - from initial site containment to final clean up.
People
ECL employees' dedication, professionalism and experience are the backbone of ECL Transportation. Drivers, dispatchers and administrative staff all meet the highest standards of proficiency in their work and participate in continuous training on the latest technology and systems. But the one thing that sets an ECL employee apart is their dedication to serving the customer in every possible way. “The typical ECL employee is pretty A-typical,” says Brown. “They are conscientious, have an amazing attention to detail and are always looking for ways to improve.”