Contrans buys second fleet in as many weeks

WOODSTOCK, Ont. — It’s fleet buying season. Contrans Income Fund has bought a second fleet this month, announcing the acquisition of Hopefield Trucking Limited, a small specialized flatbed carrier in Mississauga, Ont.

With 38 tractors and 100 trailers, Hopefield’s operations are focused on the transportation of building products and other goods, primarily within Ontario, but also to and from the bordering states and provinces.

Earlier this month, Contrans — parent company of Brookville Carriers, Laidlaw Carriers, and the ECL Carriers — acquired 50-truck flatbed trucking firm L.A. Dalton Systems of Binbrook, Ont.

Hopefield employs eight owner-operators and runs a shunting and warehousing operation for its largest customers. The company recorded revenue of approximately $9.3 million in its most recent fiscal year.

Contrans says it would continue to operate Hopefield as an independent operating unit with its existing complement of management and staff.

“With last week’s acquisition of L.A. Dalton, we continue our momentum by adding another specialized flatbed trucking business, Hopefield, to the Contrans organization,” Stan Dunford, CEO said. “The collective experience of Contrans and Hopefield in the building products business will result in benefits to all parties.”