Challenger Motor Freight is one of Canada’s largest trucking companies and a coast-to-coast provider of transportation, warehousing, distribution services and logistics solutions. They are known for their dedication to the safety of their drivers and customers. Earlier this year they were named Best Fleet to Drive For, a designation that is not easily earned. This is a result of their innovative training programs for new entrants, recognition and support initiatives for their existing drivers, as well as their ongoing efforts to improve the industry’s image.
Challenger is also dedicated to giving back to the community challenger motor freight inc and is a priceless partner to Daily Bread Food Bank, helping to pick up thousands of pounds of donated food each week. They are proud to have the opportunity to help the local families that are impacted by hunger.
The company continues to grow, and the recent acquisition of Challenger by Fastfrate Group will further strengthen their capabilities in all modes of transportation. The new entity will have over 100 years of combined experience, 5,000 employees and owner-operators, 1.2 million square feet of facilities and 5,500 pieces of equipment. The two companies will continue to operate independently under incoming CEO Jim Peeples, and Einwechter will remain Chairman of Challenger Group and join the Fastfrate Group Board of Directors. All current employees and management teams at both organizations will not be impacted by this transaction.
This is the fourth acquisition among CCJ’s Top 250 for-hire carriers this month and the second of this week, following PAM’s purchase of Metropolitan Trucking, Heartland Express picking up Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania-based Smith Transport (No. 111) and Schneider’s (No. 8) purchase of deBoer Transportation, a regional and dedicated carrier headquartered in Blenker, Wisconsin. Fastfrate Group is now comprised of seven companies operating out of 40 terminals and final mile hubs across Canada and into the U.S., offering asset-based transportation including LTL and TL service, intermodal and drayage, warehousing and distribution, and home delivery.
Einwechter and his team are focused on finding ways to recruit more young people into the trucking industry and make sure that the current generation is well trained. They are looking for new tools to better communicate what the industry is all about and the jobs available.
For example, they are working with NexTech AR Solutions to develop augmented reality (AR) holograms of Challenger’s trucks. The holograms will allow potential employees to see what it’s like to be a driver for the company. The goal is to help with recruitment and retention during a shortage of qualified truck drivers.
The company is working to find new and different ways to hire truckers, particularly at a time when the Canadian government is investing millions of dollars into retraining and upskilling truck drivers to improve safety and security on the road. This is part of a larger initiative to ensure that national support for the trucking industry is strong enough to attract more younger people into the trades.