MIDLAND’S 2018 HIGHLIGHTS 

(January 2019) As we enter a new year with anticipation and excitement, we also want to remember some of the amazing experiences from this past year. Throughout 2018, we had the opportunity to help many great causes, accepted a number of awards, and made a lot of great additions to our ever-growing Midland team. Here are some of our favourite highlights from 2018!

Midland employees started off the 2018 year by lending a hand to Food 4 Children in Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. Food 4 Children is a fantastic charity that helps support students and their families by supplying healthy snacks to schools and backpacks of food for those in need.

The 25 Year Club grew with the induction of 10 new members in February 2018. The inductees to this prestigious club were honoured with a banquet to recognize the many years of dedication and service to Midland. 25 Year Club alumni celebrating 30, 35, and 40 years were also in attendance and recognized.

In April, Gaston Cormier was honored with the Professional Truck Driver of the Month Award. With this award, Atlantic Provinces Transportation Association recognizes drivers with a notable work ethic and passion for safety in the trucking industry.

Midland was honored with Trucking HR Canada’s Top Fleet Employer Award for the 3^rd consecutive year! This award is based on our recruitment and retention practices, workplace culture, compensation, training, skills development, and innovative HR practices.

The Overall Best Team Award was presented to Team Midland at the 2018 Atlantic Driving Championships in Masstown, Nova Scotia. Our Midland “Dream Team” was comprised of Philippe Arsenault, Jacques Breau, Glenn Fisher (Professionalism Award B Train Class, 2nd Place in B Train Class), Steven Fisher, Richard Patriquin (3rd Place, Five Axle Tractor Trailer Class), Myles Phinney, Homer Whittaker (3rd Place, Two Axle Straight Truck Class), and Jeff Wilkens.

Midland had the honour of sponsoring Special Olympics Nova Scotia as they hosted the 2018 Special Olympics National Summer Games in Antigonish, NS.

The Annual Midland Pulling for the United Way Truck Pull took place for the 4^th consecutive year in downtown Moncton where participating teams attempted to pull a 60,000 lb. tractor trailer down Main Street in the fastest time. Proceeds from this event are donated to the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick, who will use the funds to strengthen local community and help those in need. The team from Irving Consumer Products took home the 2018 award.

Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic recognized Midland’s continued commitment to equality in the workplace with the Building a Diverse Workforce Award!   

Midland’s Dan Carruthers was named the 2018 Driver of the Year by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. The APTA recognized Mr. Carruthers and the contributions he has made to the industry as he continues to go above and beyond. Congratulations Dan!

Midland participated in many events over the holiday season including the 18 Wheels of Christmas Food Drive, Tea Toy Run, Operation Christmas Child, Toys For Tots, and The Grand Falls-Windsor Christmas Parade. All these organizations aim to give to the less fortunate, both over the holiday season and beyond. 

As we move forward into 2019, we are looking forward to duplicating many of these highlights, as well as accomplishing many more, as we’re anticipating another busy and successful year in the transportation industry. Thanks for coming along for the ride! 

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

(December 2018) Midland drivers cover thousands of miles every year and need to regularly check equipment and plan their route to ensure a safe, smooth trip. Whether our drivers are delivering a package across the city or halfway around the country, pre-trip planning is always very useful. Do you want to be as prepared as our drivers? Here are some tips for planning safe trips during winter months!

1. Plan Your Route   

Before you leave your start location it is a good idea to plan stops and check points. Considering the expected weather conditions will ensure there are no surprises along the way. Know the distance between possible rest areas and gas stations to ensure you have a plan should unexpected conditions develop. Always remember to tell someone which route you’re taking and when you will be leaving.

2. Pack Proper Tools and Technology 

Having the proper resources can make all the difference if caught in a tough situation. Installing winter tires that are in good condition is always the best place to start. For longer or out of town trips ensure you have enough windshield wiper fluid, ice scrapers, a sufficiently charged cellphone, emergency blankets, flashlights, warm clothes, non-perishable food, and tools should you get stuck.                

3. Circle and Interior Checks 

Ensure your mode of transportation is in tip top condition before hitting the road. This means doing circle checks and ensuring everything under the hood is working as it should. Remember to fuel up and check fluid levels before leaving.

4. Stay Vigilant  

Ensure you have removed or minimized any distractions and are able to give the road your full attention. Drive defensively and adjust speed depending on road conditions. Listen to authorities and roadside signs warning of possible dangers or road closures. 

 18 WHEELS OF CHRISTMAS 

(November 2018) Help the trucking industry fight hunger this holiday season! We are excited to be participating in the 18 Wheels of Christmas food drive from November 26^th to December 14^th.  By bringing together members of the transportation industry, this event is aimed at making a difference in our local communities. The ultimate goal of 18 Wheels of Christmas is to stock local food banks in an effort to ensure no one goes without food during the holidays. 

Our local food drive is organized by Atlantic Provinces Trucking association and the Trucks For Change Network. Join the food drive by bringing non-perishable food items to 100 Midland Drive, Dieppe. 

For more information on how you can help, visit 18wheelsofxmas.blogspot.com or 18 Wheels of Christmas on Facebook.

TOP FLEET AWARDS

(November 2018) Last month, members of our Midland team accepted the Top Fleet Award which was presented at the Annual Top Fleet Employer Gala in Toronto, Ontario. Midland continues to recognize that our people are the biggest contributors in delivering Superior Quality Service. This is reflected in our past nominations by Trucking HR Canada as an industry leader in human resources practices. Midland was honoured with the award in the large fleet category for the 3^rd consecutive year in a row.

 Top Fleet Awards are given to those who are recognized for their excellence in HR policies and practices in the transportation industry. The awards are open to companies of varying sizes and specialties across the nation. Trucking HR Canada began the gala in 2014 and has since grown the awards to include four separate categories: private/fleet services, small, medium, and large companies.   

 Members of the team representing Midland at the 2018 award dinner, from left to right, included Lev Krivchyonok (City Owner Operator, Concord), Dana Matchett (Driver Development Specialist), Kathryn Edwards (VP Human Resources), Shane Esson (Senior VP & General Manager), Cheryl Levy Smith (Director of HR), Dave Luckasavitch (Director of Operations, ON), Amanda Hall (Regional HR Manager, ON), Kerwin Henry (Terminal Manager, Concord), Dennis Eliopoulos (Director of Courier Operations, ON), and Ian Bell (Courier Owner Operator, Toronto). 

4^th ANNUAL UNITED WAY TRUCK PULL

 (September 2018) The 4^th Annual Midland Pulling for the United Way Truck Pull transpired in exciting fashion Saturday, September 5^th. Participating teams attempted to pull 60,000 LB. tractor trailers 125 feet down Main Street, Moncton. 

Businesses, community organizations, and high schools participated in the event. Of the 16 corporate teams from across Greater Moncton, Irving Consumer Products was able to narrowly edge Midland by only .04 seconds to be named the 4^th victors of the annual fundraiser.   

Sponsors for the event included United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick, Midland Transport Limited, 91.9 the Bend, and The City of Moncton. The truck pull raised over $15,000 in funds that will go towards efforts to improve lives locally, creating long-term, sustainable change; moving people from poverty to possibility and creating strong communities.