The name Britton has been associated with trucking companies since Dave Britton started a transportation brokerage firm in his basement in Grand Forks in 1980 and earned $374,000 in sales that year.
In 2012, Britton expects to make $30 million in sales, build a new $3.9 million terminal on the city's west side and see the Britton name have a growing presence on highways around the country.
"We expect to have double-digit growth for the next five years," said Britton, who is the company's president.
That might sound like an ambitious target, but the company experienced 30 percent annual growth in 2011, the same year it became a key part of the U.S. strategy of one of Canada's largest carriers.
The new terminal will accommodate the hiring of 35 more drivers and office staff with an average wage of $50,000 a year. That is on top of 18 employees it has hired in the past year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last spring, Britton became the first U.S. trucking company purchased by Winnipeg-based Bison Transport as part of a strategy to build up its operations south of the border.
"We have growth going on, hiring going on, we have a new facility," Britton said. "It's the most stimulating time."
Growth plans
The new building will be at 48th Street and 17th Avenue North and replace the company's small offices at 1119 N. 42nd St. where the company is "busting at the seams," Britton said. It will include new office space for office staff and warehouse space that will improve the company's logistical services.
"This will give us access to all our operations under one roof and allow them room to expand," he said. "It's a significant investment, a significant decision to do this."
The company has 94 employees, including 72 drivers, with 70 employees based in Grand Forks. Britton plans to add another 35 office staff and drivers over the next two years.
Britton plans to grow by building on the new business it added in the past year and possibly through acquiring other companies. The company's expansion is also backed up by its new parent company, Bison Transport, which completed its purchase of Britton in May 2011.
U.S. strategy
ADVERTISEMENT
The two companies have been working together for about five years, but it made sense for Bison to acquire a U.S. company as exports from the United States to Canada started to become a larger part of the cross-border traffic, said Bison Vice President Mike Ludwick.
"U.S. companies have one important advantage of being able to move U.S. freight," Ludwick said. "We hope to expand our footprint."
With 1,050 trucks and 1,800 employees, Bison is one of Canada's largest transport companies and an operation that dwarfs Britton's. But Britton said the two companies shared similar values in their commitments to safety and sustainable growth.
"We've never lost a person through acquisition," he said. "Obviously, we've added a lot of people already."
Ludwick praised Britton Transport's recent growth as well as its reputation in Grand Forks.
"Dave's a stand-up guy. He's a pillar of that community there," he said.
Britton, 65, will continue to run his company for at least the next three years, but has also begun to search for an executive to replace him.
In the meantime, Britton speaks with excitement over the expansion plans and the new opportunities the merger with the larger company should lead to.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I'm fortunate because I love what I do," he said.
Reach Bjorke at (701) 780-1117; (800) 477-6572, ext. 117; or send e-mail to cbjorke@gfherald.com .
